Brush Restoration--Epoxy on Bristle

[Mack]

I completed a restoration today of my father's old boar brush. I used a GN badger knot. I noticed after I was finished that there is a bit of epoxy that leached up onto the bottom of a few bristles. Does anyone know if the epoxy will wear away or if there's a way to get it off the bristles?

 

[timmy]

The only two ways I know of to remove epoxy is to heat it above its glass transition (softening point) temperature or to use Methylene Chloride which is hard to come by as it has been declared a carcinogen. Both ways will surly damage the bristles. The best chance is to use it and see if over time it will wear way.

 

[dcrosso]

The same thing happened to me when I restored a brass handled brush. I used a little to much JB weld and it leached up to the bristles around the out edge of the handle/bristles. Fortunatley JB weld is grey looking and it sort of blends with the bristles. It is there for the life of the brush and it's not comming off! I have a two more brushes I am waiting for the replacement knots. It was a good lesson. Do not use to much epoxy.

 

[Mack]

Many thanks. Happily, it isn't all the way around the base and isn't very noticable. This is my first restoration and it is a good lesson indeed for the next.

Best wishes.

 

[JCD]

If you notice the epoxy before it dries you can use acetone to remove it. Once it dries I don't know of any way to get rid of it. Plucking the affected bristles may work to improve the look of the brush. I haven't tried that it's just a thought