What am I doing wrong?! L&p clogging up brush

[kirsty]

Hi all,

I have been practicing like mad on as many people as possible and I'm improving daily, but keep having the same problem. The first 4 or 5 nails go well but then I find I can't pick up a decent bead.

I have realised it's because there is acrylic in the brush, I have to stop and thoroughly clean my brush before continuing. It's a total pain in the backside and I know it's cos I'm doing something wrong, just don't know what!

Please can someone tell me why my brush is getting clogged?!

Thanks.

 

[Miss Pink23]

I would say its due to not having the correct ratio with your beads, so that when you are placing them on the nail not all the bead is going on and some is staying in the brush. That way, it would mean that after about 4/5 nails the acrylic is starting to go a little hard and clogging up like you say.
Maybe have a look at your beads and see if this is the problem, if so its easily rectified. When I am tired and do my nails I sometimes get this problem so dont worry you will be able to sort it.
x

 

[salpep]

You must make sure you wipe your brush every time before you put it back in your monomer, if you don't you will reduce the working abilty of the monomer.

Also when your working with your bead, make sure that if you have any excess on your brush when pulling through your zones to wipe that off otherwise it will set on your brush, just as it's setting on your nails, thats why your brush gets clogged.

so remember wipe brush before placing in monomer and remove any excess off your brush when going through the zones. When you have finished doing all nails put your brush in clean monomer before putting it away.

:hug:

 

[Ruthlm]

This can sometimes happen if you ar working too wet, and it cloggs up the bristles, try wapping a bit more acrylic out your bush or picking up more powder, it can help just sitting with your liquid and powder and a bit of paper and practicing picking up your beads, that way you get the right consistency and once you have got that you can practice different sizes of beads as well, hth and good luck x ruth

 

[kirsty]

I do wipe my brush each time before putting it back in the monomer. Maybe I'm just working too wet. I'll sit down later with some paper as suggested. Thanks everyone.

 

[angel fingers]

there has been some good advice.
work a little dryer and make sure you wipe your brush before it goes back into the monomer.

however theres one more thing that could be the problem.
even if the ratio is correct, if you are going straight in to press the bead with your brush it could be getting acrylic into the hairs.
apply the bead and wait a couple of seconds before pressing it into place. this will make cintrol easier and prevent the brush going gunky.

 

[kirsty]

I have been waiting until the bead is smooth and shiney looking, is that right?

 

[ellewopter]

yup, you need to let the bead rest for a couple of seconds to let the trapped air out and polymerisation to start (SP).

If you are working too wet it will contaminate your monimer as well when you dip your brush in it again. When i was starting out i found it helpful when practicing to change my monomer after each hand as i was still getting the ratio right, but practicing making beads on a piece of acetate it a good idea. You know when it is right you dont get rings of liquid around the bead as it settles. HTH x

 

[kirsty]

Ooh thanks ellewopter! I'm off to buy some acetate. Will practice until I get it right as I'm sure that I work too wet most of the time.