Cleaning Paintbrushes

quietly

I have searched for the answer but can't wait much longer. I used gloss paint on a door last night, rinsed brush in tups sub and left it overnight. Brush looks lovely...but when can I start to use it again, and do I have to do anything else to it? I want to paint the complimentary colour now on the borders.

Thanks for your fine advice!

economiser

I think you could use it straight away but I would wash it out in soapy water first.

Mikeyorks

When you've finished with a paint brush being used for gloss - wipe it well on the side (inside ) of the tin to remove as much surplus paint as possible. Then put a small amount of turps into a porcelain sink (or a shallow bowl if all your sinks are synthetic) - and dab the brush well into it. Really pushing down and flattening the bristles out into a circle - in order the turps gets well down into the 'stock'.

Let / empty the turps out, wipe the brush on the side of the sink / bowl to remove the maximum amount of turps / liqueified paint. Then repeat the above with some washing up liquid and warm (not hot) water. And work it well around the sink / bowl to get rid of the scum left from the turps. Then again - and you have a brush as good as new. The last essentials - 3 to 4 sheets of wadded kitchen paper and squeeze the brush hard into it to remove the max amount of water.

With gloss - brush can immediately be re-used. With a more liquid paint - dry it over a radiator / top of boiler for several hours (or have 2 brushes to use alternately!;) ) - otherwise the dampness will encourage the paint up into the stock. If you leave the brush to dry for several hours - put an elastic band loosely around the ends of the bristles. That way it will dry with all the bristles together - rather than looking like Matthew Hoggard's hair before he had it cut for the latest Test match. If it dries like a bad hair day - it's a bit useless for painting more intricate bits?

Have just finished decorating an entire house - and the half dozen different size brushes I used are all pristine - having been treated as above

Nile

Thank you Mikeyorks, that's a brilliant post that's sure to help lots of DIY-ers who visit this board.:T

Mikeyorks

Appreciated - thank you. Worried it sounded a bit 'patronising' and nearly killed it ! Certainly wasn't intended that way - so left it.

quietly

That was the most comprehensive explanation Mike! Thank you very much for providing everything I needed to know...now I can get on with the job without having to buy more brushes. Most excellent advice!!

Mikeyorks

Pleased it was helpful. But don't put turps in a synthetic sink - the OH will not appreciate the result !