How to Properly Care for Your Paint Brushes

As the son of a cabinet craftsman the importance of taking the time to maintain and properly store quality paint brushes and equipment was impressed on me at a young age. The results you get with fine painting instruments can't be matched with simple foam throw away brushes. With a little effort on your part, those high quality brushes will last a life time.

Before you can properly store your brushes you must clean them. Brushes not cleaned throughly, immediately after use, will accumulate paint toward the butt end. If left uncleaned all together, the brush will turn into a block in short order, and will be useful only as a door stop.

With water soluble paint, such as Latex, warm soapy water is recommended. As it is water soluble you can safely clean them in the bathroom or utility sink. Work the soap through the bristles while working under running warm water. When you feel it is clean shake dry with a whip like motion.

If there is a build up of paint toward the butt, soak the brush by suspending it in a can of hot soapy water. When the paint softens take an old hair comb or a small wire brush and comb the bristles from the butt end toward the tip. When clean again rinse with clear water and shake dry.

If your brush was used with an oil based paint you will have to use paint thinner, or mineral spirits to clean your equipment as it requires a solvent based product to reduce and remove the paint. Except for the difference in cleaning agents the process is the same for all types of paint.

Do not clean with solvent inside your house, do not use solvent in any sink. Permanent damage to fixtures may occur. Take it outside and use a bucket, taking care to properly dispose of all solvent related chemicals. They are considered hazardous waste and must not go down your sewer.

Most important is to not let your brushes sit unsupported when soaking, or drying. Damaged bristles will be the results. Always suspend them in the cleaning agent. If there is no hole in the handle, drill one. Then insert a length of stout wire, such as clothes hanger wire, long enough to reach across the bucket, or coffee can you may be using to soak the brushes.