Small Parts Cleaning Brush

[morsa]

How do you clean the mascara from the brushes?


Neil

Since makeup cleaning products (micellar cleansing water) contain oil + water, I used a two-step cleaning method: first, clean with mineral oil, drying with a paper towel, followed by washing with dish soap and water.

[morsa]

Great point, sossol. I use these as well, had not thought of improving the handle.

Neil, I just wash them in warm water with dawn dish detergent.

I am not sure if mineral oil makes any difference in cleaning these brushes, but it is effective for cleaning greasy parts (eg label residue).
On the other hand, it is definite that no solvent helps to clean them, and nobody uses solvents to clean makeup.

[morsa]

Don't overlook the shotgun swabs. I use them to clean Morse taper bores, e.g. tailstock) because they seem to have a magnetic attraction for swarf, much as Swiffer products do for dust, but I'm sure there are other cleaning applications that could benefit from their use.

If you like ideas about repurposing stuff and simple improvements, you might want to take a look at my "one liners" post...

One liners





I would encourage others to collect their own ideas and inventions into a similar format post. Pictures are essential but only minimum verbiage is needed to convey such simple ideas.

Thanks mklotz. I like the idea of "One Liners" and may be I could gather some tips.

[desbromilow]

the brushes made for cleaning the reusable stainless steel straws are really handy in the shed. about 250mm/ 10" long, flexible S/S wire handle, with about 50mm/2" of circular brush (typically nylon) on the end at about 8-10mm/ 3/8" diameter - bought 10 off ebay for around $5

[mklotz]

Two other possibilites...

These tiny dental cleaning brushes are cone shaped and about 1/4" long by 1/8" at the widest point. The flexible handles are about 2" long...

https://www.amazon.com/Dentek-Brush-...3115207&sr=8-1

These bottle brushes cover a range of sizes with the smallest being only about 1/8" OD...

https://www.amazon.com/Bottle-Cleani...3115408&sr=8-4

[wizard69]

Marv;

Some great ideas there.

On the issue of old eyes seeing small things, one of the best bits of dumpster diving I've ever done was to take a video projector apart to remove the lens cells in the projector. I ended up with a magnifier that has the optical quality of a high end device (loupe or hand held magnifier) and it cost me nothing but time. No pictures at the moment but your link reminded with the magnified punch.

Unfortunately I'm finding more and more needs for optical aids.

Don't overlook the shotgun swabs. I use them to clean Morse taper bores, e.g. tailstock) because they seem to have a magnetic attraction for swarf, much as Swiffer products do for dust, but I'm sure there are other cleaning applications that could benefit from their use.

If you like ideas about repurposing stuff and simple improvements, you might want to take a look at my "one liners" post...

One liners

I would encourage others to collect their own ideas and inventions into a similar format post. Pictures are essential but only minimum verbiage is needed to convey such simple ideas.

[mklotz]

Marv;

Some great ideas there.

On the issue of old eyes seeing small things, one of the best bits of dumpster diving I've ever done was to take a video projector apart to remove the lens cells in the projector. I ended up with a magnifier that has the optical quality of a high end device (loupe or hand held magnifier) and it cost me nothing but time. No pictures at the moment but your link reminded with the magnified punch.

Unfortunately I'm finding more and more needs for optical aids.

LEDs have established a new level of performance for magnifiers. My goto 10x magnifier is this model with built-in lighting...

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077PK49HB/ref=dp_prsubs_2

and, for really small stuff or stuff that's typical to approach with a larger magnifier, this conventional loupe design, which also has built-in lighting, fits the bill perfectly. Worn on a neck chain, it's always to hand...

https://www.amazon.com/Magnification...3130089&sr=8-5

Of course, I also have bigger magnifiers (e.g. visor, lamp with lens) but the two above get the most use.

[mbshop]

Forgot about those. I buy them at walmart. Have several for cleaning straws and a few for the shop. Now I have a lot of straws !

[morsa]

Of course I have a collection of commercial brushes, but let's not forget that the essence of this forum is about what you can make at home.

[mbshop]

Well, many times it includes repurposing. I needed a very small wire brush that was at the end of a handle. Could not find anything. Then while doing something else the idea popped into my head. So I pulled out a bunch of wire out of those cheap wire brushes. Then I stuck it into the end of those acid brushes and crimped it down hard to hold the wires in. I thought I would have to solder them in but so far so good. And has served its purpose well.