Cleaning paint brushes.

[showcrop]

How do you do it? I use water based paint as much as possible, and when using oil based, if feasible I use a disposable brush. But sometimes I need to clean a brush. I used to have no problem using all the gasoline needed and just dumped it in the drive way, but I don't like to do that anymore. I have been dumping the gas on scrap wood where it soaks in, but today it was raining. The old standby is to save it for starting fires but the way I start my fires doesn't take but very little. I suppose I should just store it in an old 5 gal bucket and dump it on my annual brush and trash wood fire.

 

[JD Dave]

The old time painters were married to their favorite brushes and kept them perfectly clean. Their brushes would last forever because they cleaned and dried them carefully. Best I've found is
for latex, rinse off the excess paint in hot water and then soak in a coffee can of hot water and dish detergent. Rinse in clean, hot water and dry. For oil-base, use several soaks in paint
thinner/naptha. Gasoline or lacquer thinner is way too harsh and will ruin the bristles of the brush.

 

[Stephen Newell]

Water based paint if you use it long enough the paint dries in the brush as you use it. I normally use a power washer to clean the brush and if it has dried
paint in it soak it in lacquer thinner and power wash it again. Oil based paint I usually use a cheap brush and keep in in a can of paint thinner while I'm
doing a job and throw it away when I'm done. The solvents are too expensive to completely clean the brush. Cost more to clean the brush than it's worth.

 

[RobCons]

I use a steel brush to clean mine. Rinse as much paint out as possible with water or thinner. Put the paint brush on a hard surface and run the steel brush through it like a comb until the paint brush is clean. Knock as much liquid out of the paint brush as possible. Put it back in its paper case so the shape will be retained. If needed duct tape the case together if it is worn and gives way at the fold.

 

[Dave BN]

Just squeeze out as much paint as you can then soak the brush in mineral
spirits. Wrap the wet brush in Saran wrap and it will be ready to go
next time you need it.
Dave

 

[ratface]

I find the steel brushes to clean air conditioning fins just perfect for removing paint off the bristles, they are really stiff and you can get aggressive in cleaning.

 

[sms]

I found with oil base paints using
mineral spirits, I dumped the used
mineral spirits in an empty metal gallon
can and kept the cap on, the pigment and
solids would settle out and I could use
it over and over. The can would fill with
solids over time and I would use another.
Saved a lot of money that way.

 

[Ultradog MN]

I like to brush paint so I buy good brushes
and take care of them. Purdy makes a good
brush. Wooster a close second.
For latex use a nylon brush. Clean in hot
water and dish soap (Dawn) and scrub the
dried paint off the outer bristles with a
green scrubber pad - going with the grain
and use a small wire brush to comb out the
bristles on a board. Then rinse, shape the
bristles and air dry.
For oil paints or polyurethane I use china
bristle brushes. I clean them the same way
but use lacquer thinner first then dish
soap, shape and dry.
This is my favorite china bristle. No brush
lasts for ever and it is getting old and
losing its shape.
Bet I've applied 3 or 4 gallons of tractor
enamel and polyurethane with it in the last
few years.

Don't stand a brush in a can of thinner.
That wrecks the shape of the bristles.
If you can't clean them right away suspend
them.
This is how I do it.

 

[John Garner]

For water-based paints, brush / roller
cleaning is much easier if the brush /
roller is soaked in plain warm water for
ten minutes before starting the hands-on
process.

 

[Bill Tattersall]

If I'm not mistaken, you don't want to use a nylon brush with latex paint. Nylon absorbs the water and swells. Polyester for latex.

 

[dr sportster]

Here is how you clean an expensive brush Three jars of thinners swish in each to remove paint Should be clean after the third jar. Important Now apply brush oil to the brush Could be Motor oil or baby oil but they sell brush oil too. Oil prevents ant hair loss due to dried paint.Brush oil prevents ant damage from drying paint in the heel of the brush.

 

[teddy52food]

Back in high school I learned to clean them in whatever solevent dissoloved the paint.
Then hot water and soap in the hand & keep working until you can get good suds. Clean
in clear hot water then wrap in newspaper to hold the bristles in shape.

 

[dhermesc]

Two things.
1. Wash brushes used with latex paint with soap (Dawn) and water.

2. Buy used paint brushes at garage sales and auctions for pennies on the dollar - use once and toss.

 

[ChuckMa]

I use k1 kerosene for cleaning brushes used with oil based paints. I Get a 5 gal can filled at fueling station much cheaper than paint thinner and not
harsh on the brushes. As other have said dont stand them in a can to soak, suspend them if have to let them soak. Never clean a natural bristle brush
in water it will ruin the shape and fine edges. Chuck

 

[Geo-TH,In]

I don't attempt to clean a paint brush that I painted oil based
paints with. They aren't worth it to me.

I use my oldest paint brush that I've painted latex with to
paint oils with.

Before the lockdown, Menards would give you paint brushes free
after rebate. I have many good free brushes in the basement

Many times I'll use a paint gun to spray oil base with.

Easy to clean a paint gun with general spirits.

99% of my paintings are latex.

 

[Mike M]

If planning to use it more in the next few days. Put it in the freezer I cover them in a plastic bag to
keep paint off of everything.

 

[Charles in Aus.]

For dried latex paint use Methylated Spirits ( AKA , rubbing alcohol, denatured sprit ). It strips dried plastic paints right off brushes , works on your eye glasses as well .