A few weeks ago, I asked my Instagram followers for tips on how to unclog a water brush.

I got a lot of great responses, which I want to share with you today. I’m also very interested in any additional comments/ suggestions.

I use Pentel Aquash water brushes, and occasionally, one gets clogged. I’m only using water in my waterbrushes, but as I like to work wet, I’m guessing that sometimes the waterbrush sucks up paint (or neocolor!)

When I tried to unclog mine:

I first tried warm soapy water in my ultrasonic cleaner, but it didn’t work. So I tried white vinegar (also in my ultrasonic cleaner). And the water is coming out again! It’s not flowing quite as well as it should, so I might try pulling it apart based on the YouTube video suggested below.

Here is a summary of all the Instagram suggestions for unclogging water brushes. Please add your own in the comment section below.

(Note: the author of the suggestion is included in the parathesis at the end of the tip – thanks, everyone!)

YouTube videos

• I saw an excellent demo on how to fix this problem on YouTube a few years back. Video: Deep Clean your Water Brush by Natalie Sorenson (kiwisketcher)
  https://youtu.be/XoyckAdXodo?si=hVmOFUk9kxvGHMVc
• Video: How to clean, repair and restore water brushes – Pentel Aquash – Derwent Waterbrushes by Smoothie77 (theailurophile1)
  https://tinyurl.com/23844bbc
• Video: Cleaning waterbrushes by Comfortable Shoes Studio (Behr.monika)
  https://youtu.be/RcbD8nnzgS8?si=SOBeAdmfkWpOzbui

Soaking options

• I soak mine in warm, soapy water and rinse well. Sometimes it helps, sometimes not. (theailurophile1)
• I find that washing them in warm, soapy water frees the paint and returns them to their usual state. (artinhalton)
• I soaked mine in a milky vinegar solution, just as if they were fountain pen rechargers. It worked! (Sherrycoldsmith)
• The cause can be that tiny flakes of calcite obstruct the flow. Wash the brushes and container with vinegar (Kieboom.anja2 )
• Hot water, bicarb, soak. Some got better, and one was a dead loss. (elspethmurray)
• Soak in simple green? Works on my rapidiographs (Gleenorto )
• I was going to suggest using fountain pen cleaner, too – Super 8 is one I have used, though not with brushes. I use Zig Brush20 water brushes and haven’t ever had an issue with clogging – the transfer area is different, which will probably mean a difference in feel.(greenleafblue  )
• I use the solution I use for cleaning my fountain pens – 1 part ammonia, 9 parts distilled water, and a couple of drops of Dawn dishwashing liquid. I let them soak in the solution for a bit, then fill the reservoir with the solution, and squeeze it through. Rinse VERY VERY well and clean the brush part VERY VERY with brush soap. (colour_sketchsm )
• Here in SC, USA, it’s very humid. Mould will grow in the flow mechanism if I don’t use purified water. Also, soaking just the brush portion in water (enough to cover) with a drop of bleach works well to get rid of the mold. (penpaintandjournal)
• I usually disassemble them and leave soaking in water with a few drops of bleach. It helps! I find it is the water residues that get stuck (lari.ncosta)

Other

•  I find this problem occasionally as I use acrylic ink in them. I find a bit of brush cleaning and a very deliberate squeeze has worked so far. They are a bit attritional though and inevitably you go through them faster than standard brushes.
• I gently massage in a bit of brush cleaning soap and squeeze to flush it out. I think if a little paint gets sucked back into the brush when you squeeze it and stays there it clogs the tube. Cleaning and flushing helps
•  Use of demineralized water. Lime clogged the water pipe.
• I’ve had the same problem after using a nature-made ‘paint’ that was too gritty. Eventually freed it up by squeezing hard and forcing water through the brush tip. (Illustratesuzie )
• I find sometimes the water won’t come out because I have screwed them up too tightly. When I loosen them a little, they work again.  (morrispeg)
• I pry the hole with a needle – it makes the brush quite enthusiastic and even leaky sometimes, but this is the best solution I have found.  (ninaapplepine)

Original Instagram posts here and here.

What has worked for you?
Please let us know in the comment section below! Thanks in advance.

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