Donna asked, “Can you give me tips for cleaning the tips on Hobbytex paints? I have recently bought some old/new Hobbytex paints on eBay. Rather than buying new tips, I wonder if there is a cleaning agent, maybe something like nail polish remover, turpentine or metho that I could soak the tips in to loosen the old paint and freshen the ball bearings? Any ideas will be really helpful.”
Hobbytex paints make wonderful decorating tools, but they require care to keep their delicate tips in good, working condition. Follow these simple steps, recommended by Hobbytex to keep the paints working smoothly for hours of painting enjoyment.
You Will Need:
- Hobbytex tip cleaner/thinner
- Lint free cloth
- Tip wrench
Steps to Clean the Tips:
- Moisten the soft cloth with a small amount of the tip cleaner/thinner.
- Gently wipe the tip of the paints.
- If the paint has dried in the tip, it can be removed using the tip wrench and soaked in a small amount of the tip cleaner.
- Rinse with water and dry completely prior to using again.
Additional Tips and Ideas
- If the tips are damaged or unable to be cleaned, it is best to replace them with a new tip.
- If you would prefer to try a home remedy, mineral spirits is a good bet as Hobbytex describes their paints as “spirit-based”.
Aimee says
I did all that and to me, they are painfully difficult to control and actually draw with. I have given up and will simply pull the tops off and use them up as paints and never ever bother with them again. To me, they are much too difficult to use and I seem to be spending my time cleaning the tips instead of creating art.
Helen says
Have recently purchased some paints, some new. Does the paint go hard in the tubes as they just won’t colour no matter how I push down. Some have not been used. I would like to keep having a go at the painting but find them expensive to start up again.
Melanie says
Helen,
Remove the tips (they screw off) and you can then lightly squeeze the paint to make sure it’s still good. The standard Hobbytex paints are supposed to last 20 years, so usually ut is just the tips that need to be cleaned or replaced. Good luck!
Ssource: Hobbytex – Standard paint tube 25g