How to Clean Paint Brushes

Bristle Brushes - Cleaning Oil Paint Brushes

The best way to clean paint brushes is to pour about a pint of thinner into each of three clean one-gallon buckets. In the first bucket, dip the brush several times.

Then comb and wire brush the bristles. Spin the brush with the handle held between both hands, or use a "spinner". The spinner gives a greater spinning action, which helps eliminate any particles attached to the brush fibers.

Always hold the brush inside an empty bucket when you spin, unless you want paint on you and the room you're in :) Then dip the brush in the second bucket, rinse the bristles, and spin again. By the time you rinse your brush in the third bucket, it should be clean.

Test for remaining paint residue by dipping it in the thinner and squeezing the bristles. The thinner that runs out should be clear. If not, repeat the procedure. Change the thinner frequently if you're cleaning several brushes. Use as many washes as needed to achieve a nice clean paint brush. Be careful to work the solvent into the center of the brush and down to the handle.

Learning how to clean paint brushes, you should have a brush comb, which will help remove paint residue and will straighten the bristles so they dry straight. Stick the teeth of the comb into the bristles right at the heel of the brush. Move the comb toward the end of the bristles. But pull the comb up and out about 1/4" before it reaches the end of the bristles to help prevent excessive wear on the ends. Try to avoid the tips as much as possible when using the wire brush. When almost dry, put the brush back in its brush cover. That reshapes the bristles so they look just like they did when new. This brush is now ready for the next paint job.

Nylon and Polyester Brushes

These brushes are usually used for latex/water-based paints. Actually, due to their denser design, they are harder to clean and will require more washes and rinses.

When cleaning a synthetic brush, follow the same procedure as for bristle brushes, but use warm water instead of paint thinner. Use soap or detergent if necessary. Rinse repeatedly with clear water while using the wire brush.

When a brush is heel hardened, rinse the nylon filaments with solvent until clean. Concentrate on the center of the brush, working solvent into the base of the heel. A brush comb always helps. But combing is particularly effective for getting to filaments at the center of the heel. Use the comb to remove paint residue and straighten the filaments.

I hope this helps you to know how to clean paint brushes and can save some money on buying new ones frequently.