Good brushes to smooth SS, Castilene, etc?

[Ghost]

Well I finally got myself some Turpenoid thanks to John C for the recommendation. Now my question is, what's a good brush to use to smooth Super Sculpey, castilene, and whatever else that needs different handling? The only wee problem I'm having right now is that my brushes are leaving brush strokes on the piece, is that inevitable, or can I get less brush strokes if I use a finer thinner brush? If any of you sculptors can give me some recommendations on what to pick up, I'd greatly appreciate it. Thanks in advance!

[rmblair]

Ghost,
Use water and different sized paint brushes to smooth out super sculpey. Trust me water is the best !! As you are smoothing , just keep dipping your brush in water. It works exceptionally well! Good Luck!

Robert
www.blairsculpture.com

[eydylhands]

Go easy on the turpenoid. It really attacks the SS. I never use it. It can make a mushy mess of you details. Turpenoid is way too agressive for my tastes.Try 91% isopropol alcohol.

Start with coarse brushes to knock down the irregularities move up to softer brushes and you get the finish you're looking for.
You have to do it in stages and let the solvent evaporate before evaluating your progress.
jim

[JohnCleary]

Thats true if you use turpenoid too much but if you use it sparingly it smoothes down your SS perfectly.

My main smoothing brush is a #4 chisel shaped sable and for fine smoothing. details I use a #10/0 spotter brush. Basiclly its just a small brush to get into facial features etc.

Ghost I totally forgot to mention it but polyform, the company that makes Super Sculpey sells a smoothing liquid made just for Super Sculpey. You can order it online from ****blick.com and polymerclayexpress I belive. Local craft stores may also carry it. It's very inexpensive and really does the trick. I've used it as well. That may be more to your liking actually. You should try it out.

Hope that helps!

John

[Ghost]

Thanks Rob, Jim, John! Greatly appreciated the help! Yeah I did notice that the turpenoid does attack it quite well enough that I actually end up having bits of clay in my brush, I'll calm it down a notch and will try the others as well. I'll also look for that smoothing liquid John, I think my Hobby Lobby might have some. Thanks again!

[LarsAnders77]

Acetone is pretty good as well, I dont now if you call it that in english but in Denmark the ladies use it for removing nailpolish.

It's pretty aggresive though, but not as much as "terpenoid" (whatchamacallit)

Lars

[Ray Villafane]

The only brushes I ever use for castilene or wire brushes and toothbrushes.....sounds funny but true. A regular brush is useless with castilene.

[houdini]

I find it funny that ****blick.com gets edited.

[Mugsy]

pardon my newbie stupidity but do you smooth before baking or after or both?

[Kdawg59]

pardon my newbie stupidity but do you smooth before baking or after or both?

you use water/turp/alcohol/etc and smooth with a brush before baking

the smoothing you do after is with sand paper:)