A few hours ComplexityBeginner Cost$20-50 IntroductionGood paint brushes are worth the money, whether you're painting with latex, oil or shellac. Here's how the pros clean up their expensive paint brushes. Plus, we included some tips at the end for reviving your petrified paint brushes. Tools RequiredMaterials Required
A Good Paint Job Starts With a Good BrushOne expensive paint brush is way better than a handful of cheap brushes. Get a good nylon or polyester brush for painting with latex and a good natural (animal hair) bristle brush for oil paints. Don’t use a natural-bristle brush for water-based paints like latex. The natural fibers will swell, lose their shape and eventually lose their strength, too. If you can’t get the buying information you need from a home center or hardware store, go to a retail paint store for assistance. Project step-by-step (14)Cleaning Water-based Finishes & Latex Paint From BrushesScrape Off Excess Paint
Step 2 Wash the Brush In a Pail of Soapy Water
Sign Up For Our NewsletterComplete DIY projects like a pro! Sign up for our newsletter! Do It Right, Do It Yourself! Step 3 Spin the Brush In a Pail
Spin flammable solvents only in well-ventilated areas away from furnaces, pilot lights and electrical devices of all kinds. Outdoors is best. Step 4 Rinse the Bristles In a Pail of Clean Water
Step 5 Wrap the Brush With Heavy Paper
Step 6 Cleaning Oil-based Varnishes & Paint From BrushesWhen learning how to clean oil paint brushes always work in a well-ventilated area when cleaning brushes in solvents such as paint thinner, lacquer thinner, alcohol and ammonia. In fact, it’s best to work outside. Don’t ever clean solvent-laden brushes around water heaters, stoves or any device with an open flame or potential electrical spark. Keep the solvents in proper, well-marked containers out of reach of children and pets. Step 7 Rinse the Brush Thoroughly in Paint Thinner
Step 8 Spin the Brush for 10 Seconds
Step 9 Dip Brush Into Clean Paint Thinner
Step 10 Spin Brush a Second Time
Step 11 Dip in Lacquer Thinner
Lacquer thinner is extremely flammable—be sure to do this outside. Step 12 Clean the Brush in a Bucket of Soapy Water
Pro Tip: Don’t dump the paint thinner when you’re finished. Let the paint solids settle to the bottom of the jar, then pour off the rest into a clean container. Let the solids dry outdoors and then dump them in the trash for landfill or hazardous waste. Call your local trash service for proper disposal. Step 13 Cleaning Shellac-based Paint From BrushesCleaning clear shellac varnish or pigmented shellac paints requires a different solvent than does latex and oil. You must use denatured alcohol or an ammonia household cleaner. When using an ammonia solution:
Step 14 Reviving Petrified BrushesIf you find your paint brushes have petrified since the last time you used them, don’t throw them away. You can buy either of the brush cleaners shown below to dissolve the crusty hard paint. However, choose carefully.
Both solvents will remove hardened latex and oil-based paint. The brushes must soak overnight (cover the container on the left with foil in a well-ventilated area). If the paint isn’t softened after 24 hours, let the brushes soak another day. You must suspend the brushes as shown or the bristles permanently bend as they soften and settle into the bottom of the jar. Once the bristles are supple, remove the brush and comb away any solids.
Originally Published: October 02, 2018
Similar ProjectsHow long do you soak paint brushes in paint thinner?Clean the Brush With Solvent. First off, be sure to use solvents only in a well-ventilated area. ... . Stir the brush in the solvent for 10 to 30 seconds.. Wipe the bristles against the side of the bowl when finished.. Repeat until no more paint comes off the brush.. Do you mix paint thinner with water to clean brushes?You can clean them! All you need is a little bit of paint thinner or mineral spirits. Pour some into a container, then dip the brush in and swirl it around. Let the bristles soak for about 15 minutes before removing any excess with a paper towel.
Do you rinse brushes after using paint thinner?After removing the paint with thinner, give your paint brush a good rinse using warm water and soap. This should wash away the solvent or paint thinner you've used and some remaining paint on the brush. As these are chemicals, do this in a bucket or a sink far from food and kitchen staples.
|