Cleaning And Storing Paint Brushes
July 25, 2008
The best advice any painter will give is to clean paint brushes as soon as one has done using them. However, if you are going to re-use them again later in the day with the same paint, be careful to wrap them in plastic wrap or aluminium foil to keep them fresh for later use. Wrapping them prevents the air from drying them out, at least for the short duration they are not in use. Here are some DIY tips to clean and store paintbrushes so that they can be reused.
Paint brushes should be cleaned by removing all excess paint, either wiping them on a piece of newspaper, or running the edge of a scraper or paint mixing stick along the bristles, or down the side of the roller cover. If water based coating has been used, wash the brush or roller with warm water and detergent, rinsing well under a running tap or hose. Working them first in a bucket of water helps remove much of the paint build-up and makes rinsing them under the tap quicker and easier. After, use a wire brush to remove built up dry paint from the bristles of the brush, including the handle.
If, the applicator just won’t clean, it may be due to many of today’s water-based paints containing special resins to improve adhesion to the surface, gloss, and durability, similar to those used in oil-based paints. In this case, you will need to rinse the applicator with mineral spirits to clean completely. Finish with a final washing with detergent and water to completely remove all thinner.
In case, a solvent based coating has been used, brushes and rollers used in oil paint have to be cleaned in a bucket of paint thinner first. Normally 2 – 3-inches of thinner in each rinse is sufficient. When the wash thinner begins to look clear, shake out the excess, wrap brush in wax paper or aluminium foil and hang rather than sit it on end. Roller covers should be placed back on the frame and spun out and placed in plastic. Bread wrappers make perfect covers.
Never rinse out oil tools in water, as water tends to dry out bristles and makes them brittle. Store paintbrushes after you have rubbed a little Vaseline on them to keep them soft. All you have to do is to rinse them in thinner prior to use to get rid of any Vaseline residue.
Dirty thinner can be saved in a separate container for a few days to allow it to settle. Pour off the clean thinner on top and save for another day.
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