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    Home/DIY projects/Painting and decorating/Cleaning paint brushes

    Cleaning paint brushes

    Summary: Learn how to clean a paint brush, cleaning oil paint brushes and cleaning water based paint brushes.

    If you have invested in a set of good quality, expensive paint brushes, you will not want them to get damaged or ruined by dried paint. To avoid having to throw away brushes, you will need to stop the paint drying or remove the paint from the brush before it is able to dry.

    Cleaning a paint brush

    • You may find that if you are using your brushes all day, in this case, when taking a break from painting, you should wrap the brush in cling film. This will prevent air from drying the paint onto the bristles.
    • The best way to keep a brush in the best possible condition is to clean it immediately after you have finished using it. The method of cleaning will depend on the type of paint you are using. Water based paints can be cleaned using warm water and washing up liquid. Oil based paints will require white spirit.
    • Before you start cleaning your brushes, try and remove as much paint from the bristles as possible. Do this by scraping the brush along the edge of the paint can, or by repeatedly wiping the paint onto newspaper. When convinced you have removed as much paint as you can, you can clean the rest of the brush more thoroughly.

    Cleaning water based paint

    • To clean water based paint, rinse the brush with warm water and a drop of washing up liquid.
    • Use your fingers to push into the bristles to make sure the paint embedded at the base of the bristles is removed.
    • Keep cleaning until water has no trace of paint in it.
    • Wrap the brush in newspaper and hold it together with an elastic band. Leave the brush to dry, and if you have done the job properly, the brush will be in excellent condition when you need to use it next.

    Cleaning oil based paint

    • For oil based paint, white spirit is needed. Pour a small amount in a bowl and dip the brush into it, making sure all areas get a good soaking.
    • Work the white spirit into the brush, which should at the same time cause the paint to come out and into the bowl.
    • Replace the white spirit and go through the same process again until no more paint comes off the brush. You should always wear gloves when handling white spirit.
    • Once the white spirit has done its job, you will need to wash the brush again, but this time in warm water and washing up liquid. Rinse the brush thoroughly.
    • Wrap the brush in newspaper and hold it together with an elastic band. Leave the brush to dry, and if you have done the job properly, the brush will be in excellent condition when you need to use it next.

    Cleaning paint brushes video

    Cleaning paint brushes video- lets-do-diy.com

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