best way to clean paint brushes

N9eav

Unless you are buying really expensive brushes then I agree with the others, buy the cheaper ones and bin them. If you really want to clean them then this idea I have used works well if you have a garage or some shed.

Get 3 containers about 6 inches by 4. In the bottom of each put some fine wire mesh so that the mesh is resting about 1 inch from the bottom of each can. Fill with white spirit and number 1-3. Wipe as much paint off your brush as you can in some paper. Then Wipe the brush in can 1 several times on the wire mesh, then can 2 and finally 3 by which time it should be clean. The wire mesh in each can means the paint residue sits on the bottom leaving your spirit cleaner for next time. Without the mesh you just stir up the old paint each time. Naturally always use in the same order. After several uses you can tip can 1 away, pour 2 into 1 and 3 into 2 and re fill 3....Confused?

Doesn't work with rollers, bin them.

ET03

I clean as much as possible from rollers and hen put them in washing machine on cold wash

[Deleted User]

I recycle my white spirits, so that I get the brushes clean as new for virtually nothing. To get the process started you need to keep your old thinners in a jar till the paint settles to the bottom, then pour it off carefully into an old jerrycan.
Now when you wash a brush, first dip it in the jar of old thinners and work it out on the back of an old peice of hardboard. Repeat until the brush looks clean. Now pour some of your recycled thinners into the jar you use for cleaning, and work the brush around. Repeat 6 or 7 times or as necesssary. Now finish off with one final wash in some clean new thinners, and you now have a brush as clean as new with effectively only one lot of thinners. When the jar of old thinners is full, leave it to settle and then reuse.

Davidboy

The things you have to think about is, how much does it post to get decent brushes, but then have to buy all the stuff to keep them "soft", against buying a decent cheaper brush and chuckin it?

I go still say go with buying a cheaper brush and then bin it. Each to his own. I know as professionals you would buy decent and store them in water, especallialy for gloss, but us once a year decorators, it aint worth it....chuck it!!

N9eav

One thing I would say....A decent finish in gloss can only be obtained with decent brushes. I've seen far too many cheap brush jobs that look terrible. It may be worth considering a good brush for that special finish.

culpepper

A thick solution of washing powder in hot water is very good for cleaning brushes.We have even salvaged some dried-stiff brushes this way.

Getafix

rich_jtg wrote:

If you want the easiest way to clean brushest, that also gets them the cleanest, what you want is a Dandy paint brush/roller kit.

I'm liking the look of these devices. I never buy cheap brushes as I spend more time picking the bristles out of the paint than I do painting.

drlight_2

If you have finished painting for the day but starting again tomorrow, use carrier bags or kitchen bags over bristle end of the brush and wrap a couple of times round with a elastic band and you can carry on with them the next day.

PeteTong_2

drlight wrote: »

If you have finished painting for the day but starting again tomorrow, use carrier bags or kitchen bags over bristle end of the brush and wrap a couple of times round with a elastic band and you can carry on with them the next day.

Good tip there. I try and do all my decorating jobs in one go as the worst part of painting is trying to clean brushes afterwards.

spirit

I use white vinegar. clean as much paint off as you can with a rag or kitchen roll etc then immerse in white vinegar. it conditions them too.