Are your paint brushes full of paint? Clean them using these methods
Whether you are a dedicated DIYer or just wanting to "give it a go" there are always areas in the home that could do with a lick of paint. And to do any painting properly, the paint brushes must be in the best condition possible. That said, a brush that has be left out with the paint to dry on it can be completely ruined. So, what's the best way to take care of, and clean, your paint brushes?
Cleaning brushes depending on the type of paint used
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It's important to know what type of paint was used (and is now on the paint brush's bristles). Typically, there are two types of paint: water-based and oil-based.
1. Oil-based paints
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Oil-based paints need solvents, or thinners, to be removed. For a thorough cleaning, you will need:
- Latex gloves (to protect your hands from harsh, aggressive chemicals)
- (optional) a bristles brush
- Two glass jars
- The solvent (suitable for the type of paint)
- Some lacquer thinners
- Water and dishwashing soap (Marseille soap, for example)
- Newspaper or similar type of paper
How to proceed:
- Remove the bulk of the paint, if it is not yet completely dry, with your gloved hands;
- Fill one of the jars with the paint thinners - just enough to soak the bristles to the paint residue;
- Allow to soak for 5 minutes;
- Swirl the brush in the thinners to get the solvent to move through the bristles;
- Now use the newspaper to remove the solvent and the paint that comes off with it;
- Fill the second jar with thinners;
- Repeat the above cleaning steps;
- Now, take the brush to the sink and wash it carefully, using soap and water;
- Dry and cover the bristles in a "cap" made of clean newspaper.
2. Water-based or latex paint
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For water-based paints, you will need:
- Newspaper
- A basin
- Some dishwashing or Marseille soap
How to proceed:
- If the paint is still wet, scrap off as much as possible into the paint tin (which you can then seal);
- Rub the brush on sheets of newspaper to remove any excess paint;
- Wash with soap and water, gently massaging the bristles to clean them thoroughly. Use warm (not hot) water;
- Fill the basin with warm water and immerse the brushes into it;
- After 10 minutes, swirl the brushes around in water to remove any paint residue;
- Rinse the brushes off under running water to finish off;
- Allow to dry then, wrap the brushes in newspaper.
What if you don't have time to clean the brushes as soon as you finish using them?
If you don't have time to clean your paint brushes immediately, you can put them into airtight plastic bags (ziplock bags). And if you don't have a bag big enough, sellotape a plastic bag around the bristles. The important thing is to prevent air getting to the paint on the bristles. This way, you can come back later to clean the brushes and they won't have dried out.
Leaving dirty brushes in jars with solvent or water only works if you intend to reuse them again within a few hours. Left longer, the paint will ruin the brushes.
It takes a little effort, but it's worth keeping your paint brushes in good condition.
