Can I use the cleaner whilst painting when needing a quick brush wipe and clean?
Yes, you can use the cleaner to switch between colours while painting, including for plein air work. However, we recommend testing with your specific paint brand first, as oil paints vary considerably in their formulations - some contain higher oil content, fixatives, or bulking agents than others.
Best Practice for Colour Switching:
- Wipe excess paint from brush
- Dip in cleaner and wipe on cloth/paper towel
- Give the brush a quick wipe to remove excess cleaner
- Continue painting with your next colour
The water-based formula won't affect most quality oil paints when used this way. In our testing with premium brands like Michael Harding (which have minimal additives), we found no adverse effects on paint application or drying.
Important Considerations:
- More heavily adulterated paints may behave differently
- Always test with your specific paint brand first
- For wet-on-wet techniques, minimal residual moisture is key
- A quick wipe after cleaning removes excess cleaner
For plein air painting, this method works particularly well as you can clean and switch colours quickly without needing water for rinsing.