If you spend a lot of money on paint brushes, it’s important to know how to clean them properly. No matter how good the brush is, if it’s not properly maintained, they will lose the qualities for which you paid a consistent price when you bought it.
Each painting brush has its own maintenance needs, and the cleaning is different, depending on the paint you’ve used. Latex based paints can easily be removed from the surface of the brush, while those based on oil can cause more problems. Thus, the cleaning tricks must be adapted to the type of paint used.
Cleaning of paintbrushes based on latex
Brushes coated with latex paint are easier to clean, as it quickly dissolves in water.
You need:
– a bucket filled with water
– a dry cloth or paper towels
– wire brush
– laundry softener
– a soap
– duct tape
Soak the paint brush in the water bucket and press the brushes on the edges to remove the excess paint. If there are hardened parts on the brush, use the wire brush to remove it, and then dab the brush with dry cloth / paper towel.
Mix half a liter of warm water with laundry softener, and put the brush in this solution, leaving it to soak for a while. You will notice how any trace of paint will disappear like magic. The last step is soap well the brush, and then rinse it well and shake the brush 10-15 times. Cover the brushes with duct tape to dry out.
Cleaning off paintbrushes based from oil paint
For dirty oil paint brushes, you need a chemical solvent to clean them efficiently.
You need:
– water
– wire brush
– paint solvent agent
– rubbing alcohol
– laundry softener
– 4 large bowls
Soften the brush in the water and remove the paint residue with the wire brush. Dab the brushes with a dry cloth, and then fill the 4 bowls, in turn, with:
1. paint solvent agent
2. 50% solvent + 50% alcohol
3. rubbing alcohol
4. laundry softener + water in equal amount
Soak the brush in the paint solvent agent 3-4 times, and then soak it in the second bowl. Shake the brushes well, and insert the brush into the third bowl and finally in the fourth.
Finally, rinse the brushes very well, shake them 10-15 times to remove the excess water and let them dry. Cover the brush with duct tape to keep its optimal shape.
Image Credits: Instructables
