Keep the Paint Flowing
Spritz the brush very lightly just below the ferrule with water from a spray bottle.
When using a paintbrush with latex/acrylic paint for an extended period, the paint in the brush can begin to dry out. One clue that this is happening is that the paint on the brush begins to feel gummy and doesn’t lay on as well. Ignore this telltale sign, and not only does the quality of the work suffer, but hardening paint might ruin the brush. The solution is simple: When you start feeling the paint getting gummy, spritz the brush very lightly just below the ferrule with water from a spray bottle. How often you have to spritz depends on the temperature and humidity. The difference is immediately noticeable, and you’ll really thank yourself when it comes time to clean the brush.
— Andy Engel, Roxbury, Conn.
Edited by Charles Miller
From Fine Homebuilding #264
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Most of these tips are ridiculous. I will def try this. I always have 2 brushes first one gets gummy let it soak in cleaner, grab the clean one.
Probably a duh question, but is below the ferrule on the bristle side or the handle side. Not sure which way a paintbrush is oriented.
Bristle side.