Our founder, artist and engineer Leo Wrye Zimmerman, wanted a better way to clean paint brushes. Frustrated with wire screens and other methods that caused damage to his delicate brushes, Zimmerman created the Silicoil Brush Cleaning System in 1954. A patented invention designed to effectively remove paint from brushes while preserving their longevity, the Silicoil Brush Cleaning System remains an industry standard today.

The secret of Silicoil lies in the movement of the smooth aluminum coil. The delicate split-end of each brush bristle tip, known as the flag, is easily damaged. Stroking the brush across the smooth aluminum coil submerged in a brush cleaning fluid effectively exposes paint to the fluid's cleaning action with the gentle up and down movement of the coil. The color solids settle to the bottom, the flag is undamaged, the brush is properly cleaned and will remain pliable indefinitely.

Learn more about Leo Wrye Zimmerman and his upcoming show “Americans in Paris” at leowryezimmerman.com.