HOW TO REMOVE THE PROTECTIVE GLUE
Before using a new brush, remove all of the protective glue from the bristles. This prevents the glue from affecting your paint or artwork. Once the glue has been removed and the brush is fully wet, you will see its true working shape.
- Step 1: Soften the Glue
Dip only the bristles into clean water for 1–2 minutes to soften the glue. Important: Hold the brush in your hand while soaking. Do not let the tip rest against the bottom of the cup, as this may damage the point. Smaller brushes may require less soaking time.
- Step 2: Remove the Glue
Gently squeeze and massage the bristles with your fingers, working from the ferrule toward the tip. This allows the glue to dissolve gradually while helping prevent broken or loosened hairs.
- Step 3: Rinse Thoroughly
Rinse the brush under a gentle stream of running water. Continue lightly stroking the bristles until they no longer feel sticky.
Note: Larger brushes require extra attention, as glue can remain deep inside the core of the bristles.
- Step 4: Reshape the Tip
Gently reshape the brush with your fingers. For round brushes, you can roll the damp tip lightly on a towel, paper, or palette to restore a fine point.
- Step 5: Air Dry
Allow the brush to air dry naturally. Avoid direct sunlight and hot air from hair dryers or other heat sources.
BRUSH SHEDDING
A small amount of shedding during the first 1–2 uses is completely normal, especially immediately after removing the protective glue. This is common with handmade brushes, particularly traditional calligraphy brushes and other handcrafted natural-hair brushes.
After removing the glue, you may gently stroke the bristles to remove any loose hairs left from the manufacturing process.
If your brush continues to shed heavily after 1 month use, please contact Lobeo. We'll be happy to replace it.
HOW WILL THE BRUSH LOOK AFTER THE GLUE IS REMOVED?
After the protective glue has been removed, natural-hair brushes may appear softer, fluffier, or slightly spread out. This is completely normal—the bristles will not hold the same tightly shaped form they had while coated with glue.
Once the brush absorbs water, it will naturally return to its intended working shape.
Over time, with regular use, if a dry brush feels stiff, loses its soft, fluffy texture, or no longer performs as it should, it is a sign that the natural hair has begun to wear out.
BRUSH CARE
- Clean your brush thoroughly after every use.
- Store brushes in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated place.
- Do not leave brushes standing in a water container for extended periods, as this can damage their shape.
- Avoid storing dry brushes with the tip pressed against hard surfaces, which may deform the bristles.
- Important: Do not cap the brush until it is completely dry, including the inner core. Repeatedly capping a damp brush can lead to mold growth and deterioration of the natural hair.
If you need to put the cap back on, wait until the brush is fully dry (the bristles will appear soft and fluffy). Before capping, lightly dampen and smooth the outer surface of the bristles with clean water to help prevent them from bending. The cap should only be used for short periods during transport.
