Anyone have recommendations for brushes that won't shed? I forked out some $$ for high dollar brushes, thinking they wouldn't shed into my gumpaste or on my cakes. No such luck, stinkin' brush hairs getting everywhere. Anyone have a brand they like?

I don't know if this will help but my brushes shed if they've been washed incorrectly (I don't think I know how to wash them correctly either! I think I either use water that's too hot or the wrong soap or something...) and/or if they're too old.

 

But those were the Wilton brushes I used and some cheap-o ones from Michaels, and I recently bought some brushes from Hobby Lobby and they haven't shed (yet)

Don't rinse sable brushes in hot water, dip them in alcohol or leave them to soak. I love my sable brushes and couldn't live without them.  If you treated them well, I'd try to return them. They shouldn't do that. For reference, a good brush is about $15-18 at an art store. Art stores are overpriced, but I trust them for a good product as I don't know enough about them to shop online.

 

The painted wood tip on the other end wears out before the brush end does. It's too bad they don't have cake decorators in mind when they manufacture them.  They last for years.

I checked my brushes - they say, Creative Mark on one side and Rhapsody Kolinsky Sable on the other.  I've always bought the same ones.  hth

 

I wouldn't use soap on them, either.

Interesting.  I only have that problem with cheap brushes.  The last batch I bought were nylon in a pack of 4 or 5 from Michaels for about $10.   I`ve never used soap on my brushes.  Never even thought about doing that.    I`d imagine I wouldn`t rinse it well enough and the brush would make everything taste like soap afterwards.     

Maybe the brushes you bought were old.  I`ve had good ones start to shed once they became old.

How are you washing the brushes?

 

Good-quality brushes should not shed - but they will if the glue in ferrule where the hairs are held to the handle is softend during cleaning.

I've had this happen when using over harsh detergents or prolonged (accidental) soaking.

 

I use dish soap or makeup brush cleaner to wash my brushes unless they are my set dedicated to cocoa butter - then I use plain cocoa butter to rinse out any color and leave it at that.

 

I prefer synthetic brushes for crisp line work - but every artist has their own style.

I usually soak them in warm water (maybe it's too warm and too long), rinse them clean, pat them off and let them air dry before I put them away.  I checked and the package says they are nylon brushes. I think I'll try sable and see if I have better luck with those. Thanks all! :)

Post back and let us know if you love them as much as I do. The reason I bought them in the first place was that they were on the supply list for a workshop I attended and I figured if they were going to be that specific about it, it must make a big  difference. It would otherwise have never occurred to me to buy a $17 paintbrush.

 

 

I just reread my post and it is worded badly - I was trying to say don't dip them in alcohol and don't soak them. Sounded like the opposite!

AWell, that could be my problem!

Yeah, soaking is what does my brushes in too!    I run them under warm water after use.    Pinch the tip of the brush and gently wiggle the handle to clean the colour from the base of the bristles to get all the colour out.

 

I meant to say mine were a $10 pack of nylons from Micheals and they have never shed on me.     I test it by gently pinching the tip like I would to clean.   I have some ruined brushes and if I do that the bristles pop out.

A

From the responses, it sounds like it's me, not the brushes! No more soaking. *facepalm*