The Lion Company Brush Cleaning Tank

Previous to owning this brush cleaner cup, I used to use the disposable red plastic party cups. I got used to having to mash the brush at the bottom and then throw the cup out when I was done. However, I know that's not the best treatment for my expensive Windsor & Newton Series 7 brushes. Also, I was set to purchase additional W&N 7 brushes and I wanted them to last as long as possible and so I set out to find a proper replacement for the red plastic cups and that's when I found this "Cleaning Tank". I love this thing. It has surpassed my expectations in ease of use and the ability to clean my brushes really well without damaging them. I also am able to take the metal coil out and give the entire thing a thorough cleaning every now and then. The metal has tarnished over the years that I've owned this but it hasn't changed it's ability at all. I work primarily in acrylics as I do miniature painting so I can't attest to the experience in other mediums but for my needs, this thing gets 6/5 stars.

I picked this up based on the recommendation of a YouTuber that I watch for miniature painting. The price was reasonable, so I thought, why not? What a brilliant invention for brush cleaning! It is the perfect size to be portable, but still holds a fair amount of water. The coils do a great job at cleaning the brush, but not hurting the bristles. The paint sediments fall to the bottom, so the water is actually usable for longer. The cap seals tight so there is no leaking if you want to travel with it filled or just save the water for the next day. I think this is a must have for anyone that paints regularly.

Update i bought a second 1 and this 1 leaks badly. Not worth the return. So that sucks. the title says I like it. I was afraid it was gonna be too small or big but it's kinda the best of both worlds. Now for alot of questions and concerns about the inside spring. Yes you can take it out but here's the thing. Before you use it it's going to be a little tricky. Remember it's aluminum just keep working at it and bending it a bit and it will pop out. Once you get it out twist it left or right to narrow or contact it to what is perfect for you and shape the design to what you want. Once it's out it's very easy. I twisted mine to just be able to come out if i ever need it to with not much effort and I smooshed it down because I didn't want it that high. And remember a year from now when you want to clean this thing out it's gonna be slippery and full of gunky stuff so best keep that in mind because without twisting it a bit smaller it would have never come out for me. I'm using this for model paint brushes and such for cleaning with paint thinner if it helps anyone. So it's plenty big and it's short and fat so you won't have to worry about it tipping over. As for the seal....time will tell but I don't think it's going to be a problem. Lid seems solid and I can twist it tight as i want.

This is a great item to help you with cleaning your brushes between uses with various paints. Its not too deep to get water past the ferule and cause damage to the handle.

Ive routinely used the coffee mug solution to miniature painting and was originally looking for a silicone bumper to put in the bottom of the mug so I can clean my brushes when I paint. This is way better, as I can actually wedge my brush in there on the coil after Ive cleaned it so i dont have to hold it in the water to soak. The design, the glass, the top screw cover, all of it is well designed and of great materials. Would buy again if I ever thought it would ever break heh.

I've been painting on and off for 30 years, and I still have most of my original brushes including sable, hog, and synthetic bristles thanks to this brush cleaner combined with the original fluid, Silicoil - some of which I probably still have in one of the original jars. IMO the aluminum wire rack is the gentlest wire cleaning product on the market, and that's why I have 30 year old brushes that barely look used. My cleaning system works like this, and is 100% dependent on these jars and the original Silicoil. First, I wipe as much excess paint as possible from the bristles using paper towels and rags - old t-shirts make great rags. Second, then I use one of these jars 1/2 filled with OMS, and gently clean as much paint as possible from the bristles. Then I remove the excess OMS from the cleaned brushes using rags or paper towels. In the last phase I do the exact thing described in step 2 substituting Silicoil for OMS. Inevitably, you'll remove more paint in the Silicoil bath than OMS is capable of removing. Silicoil is incredibly slippery, and paint slides right off the bristles in a way that doesn't happen with other solvents. However, Silicoil is expensive compared to OMS so use it to do the bulk of the cleaning. You can let your brushes dry at this point, and the Silicoil actually conditions the brush bristles. Shape the bristles into their original shape before they dry, but know that the bristles will dry "hard" requiring either OMS or The Masters Brush Cleaner and Preserver Soap to soften them before you paint again. I've let brushes sit with Silicoil for years with no ill effect. Alternatively, you can remove the Silicoil using The Masters Brush Cleaner and Preserver Soap, and let the brushes dry with the soap in the bristles as that product instructs. Either method preserves and protects your brushes for years, allowing you to extend your investment in brushes, and buy more paint. After all, learning to paint requires lots of paint. Or, you can use what you save buying brushes to upgrade your paints to professional grade. Here is a link to The Masters Brush Cleaner and Preserver Soap: https://www.amazon.com/Masters-Brush-Cleaner-Preserver-Soap/dp/B00F38YVQS/

While this product was designed to rinse/clean paint brushes, I decided to try it in another way. I started cleaning my makeup brushes with it. I use an instant cleanser, such as cinema secrets. There's enough liquid to nearly reach the top coil. Swirl it a few times and dry the bristles. They are white towel tested clean! I love using this for my brushes. It makes the process quick and easy. It's also oddly satisfying to see all the muck sink to the bottom. I will definitely continue to use this.

This product was recommended by Jessica Rocks on YouTube and it is TOTALLY worth it! I like that I can just fill it with water, sit down and paint and not have to go through so many paintbrushes while they pile up waiting for me to stop creating and go wash them (don't need as many paintbrushes now, either)! I can put the lid on and reuse the water later in the next day or for several days to come. I just rub and rotate the brushes around (gently) on the metal spiral to get the paint and glitter off and then set them out to dry (which they dry quickly for me) and then I'm onto the next color. Saves water, saves time, saves paint brushes. Win-win! If you are having issues cleaning it out, here is what I do: pour out the old water, then I add a touch of soap and warm water, swish around and let sit awhile. Then I keep an old paintbrush around to clean out the bottom with (as the metal piece does not come out). Love this thing - so worth the investment!