Cleaning paintbrushes

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What is the best way to clean latex paint out of a paintbrush? The can says soap and water but I'm always left with some paint that I can't get rid of. Also, does anyone have any tips for reviving old paintbrushes?

-- CJ Popeck (cjpopeck@worldnet.att.net), April 19, 2001

Answers

A power washer with the brush attached to the vice works for me. I have seen the painters in town at the carwash doing this also (stepping on it instead). A great trick while painting is to put your brush in a zip lock and freeze till the next day, even used this (wrapped in plastic wrap) with my roller coveres. We put good brushes away with oil on the bristles. Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh TX (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), April 19, 2001.

Soap and water always works for me. It takes both several washings and rinsings before all of the paint is gone. A brush should be cleaned until you don't see any paint in between the bristles at the base of them.

If you are having paint dry in the bristles while still using the brush, you may need to clean it mid-use. You may also give it an initial cleaning, then suspend it in water overnight to soften any remaining paint in yet another cleaning.

There is also a commercial cleaning chemical to rejuvenate old brushes.

Like the others mentioned, a brush can be held over for another use by wrapping it in plastic wrap, aluminum foil, or an airtight bag. I've had great success in holding them this way without putting them in the freezer. If you do put them in the freezer, allow thaw time before you will actually be using them.

-- Notforprint (Not@thekeyboard.com), April 19, 2001.


An old trick for suspending the brush is to cut a hole in the plastic lid of a coffee can and push the brush handle through it. Use a spring-type clothes pin to keep the brush from falling on though. Then put enough soapy water (for latex) in the can to completely cover the bristles. This way the brush can soak for enough time to soften the dried paint without bending the bristles.

-- Lori in SE Ohio (klnprice@yahoo.com), April 19, 2001.

I tip I read somewhere, and intend to try next time I paint was to use plain old vinegar to clean the paint out. The article even said you could rejuvenate old dried up paintbrushes. Can't give you a testimonial, haven't tried it yet, but may get rid of that last bit remaining in the brushes. Jan

-- Jan in CO (Janice12@aol.com), April 20, 2001.

Dear Hubby, who is seriously anal about his tools, twirls his brushes around between his palms between wash/rinse cycles. Gets water everywher, but gets it out of the bristles. Also fluffs them out nicely. Ditto with the rollers (which is great fun if you hold the roller under a hose and let it whirl!)

-- Soni (thomkilroy@hotmail.com), April 20, 2001.


I have kept paint brushes sealed in a bag in the freezer for over a year and they are still good when I take them out. I have very dark green painted walls below the chair rail in my livingroom and they need touching up more often that other walls so I keep the brush in the freezer sealed, and take it out when I need it for touch ups.

-- ronda (thejohnsons@localaccess.com), April 21, 2001.

Tnanks to everyone for their responses. I have wrapped paintbrushes in plastic wrap for a few hours but never overnight. I'll have to try that as well as your other suggestions. Thanks again!

-- CJ Popeck (cjpopeck@worldnet.att.net), April 26, 2001.

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