How I Clean a Paint Brush

[Scott B.]

Just in case you were wondering...

 

[Cheese]

Thanks for sharing Scott, picked up some good tips.

 

[Vanquish]

Nice, so don't let them dry out completely before storing them? You want to leave a little moisture in the brush?

 

[erock]

So Purdy brushes are NOT disposable? 

Hmmm.....could have used this video years ago!      [tongue]

Reminds me of a memory......

My best bud bought his first house years ago.  I was helping him paint, long story short, he pitched the covers for the Purdy brushes he bought.  At the end of the first day of painting, after cleaning our brushes, I asked him for the covers and he told me he threw them in the trash.  Just so happen to be trash pick up day in his neighborhood.    LOL.   

Good tips in this video for hobbyist and for some pros!   

Eric

 

[Sparktrician]

Good info.  Do you ever use soap/detergent to wash out brushes (as opposed to water alone)?  I generally wash brushes by hand using a mild dish liquid or Dr. Bronner's soap, frequently using a soft vegetable brush to remove the dried paint up by the ferrule, much as you were doing.  I also wrap the brush in several thicknesses of paper towel to absorb excess residual moisture before slipping them back into their covers.  Thoughts? 

 

[mike_aa]

Oh no!  I'm only a DIY painter, but after cleaning I've always used my brush spinner to spin brushes before putting them back in their totes.  Guess I've been doing it wrong for the last 35 years.  I suppose it's time to rethink things!

Mike A.

 

[Wooden Skye]

Scott. Thanks for the video and the tips.

 

[Cheese]

Just in case you were wondering...

So I know you're a big fan of SW paints, but I also noticed the Purdy brush. What qualities does the Purdy brush have that are better than the SW brush? Just curious.
I personally prefer SW brushes over Purdy.

 

[AlexThePalex]

Informative video, nice to see how you do it. I get the idea water based paints are far more popular in America than oil based paints, would you use the same procedure for cleaning brushes with oil based paint?

 

[Cheese]

I value your opinion because you paint to earn money. I only paint to save money.

 

[Scott B.]

Nice, so don't let them dry out completely before storing them? You want to leave a little moisture in the brush?

I do like moisture in the brush. When using them day in and day out, I don't like the brushes to ever feel dry. If you aren't using them daily, just slick them up with some water prior to use.

So Purdy brushes are NOT disposable? 

Hmmm.....could have used this video years ago!      [tongue]

Reminds me of a memory......

My best bud bought his first house years ago.  I was helping him paint, long story short, he pitched the covers for the Purdy brushes he bought.  At the end of the first day of painting, after cleaning our brushes, I asked him for the covers and he told me he threw them in the trash.  Just so happen to be trash pick up day in his neighborhood.    LOL.   

Good tips in this video for hobbyist and for some pros!   

Eric

Thanks Eric!

Good info.  Do you ever use soap/detergent to wash out brushes (as opposed to water alone)?  I generally wash brushes by hand using a mild dish liquid or Dr. Bronner's soap, frequently using a soft vegetable brush to remove the dried paint up by the ferrule, much as you were doing.  I also wrap the brush in several thicknesses of paper towel to absorb excess residual moisture before slipping them back into their covers.  Thoughts? 

On exterior paints I do, because they are harder to clean. As above, I don't like to pull all the moisture out of the brush.

Thanks for sharing Scott, picked up some good tips.

Thanks!

Informative video, nice to see how you do it. I get the idea water based paints are far more popular in America than oil based paints, would you use the same procedure for cleaning brushes with oil based paint?

Oil based cleaning is a different sequence, involving 3 stages of thinner use and more combing, less skin contact.

So I know you're a big fan of SW paints, but I also noticed the Purdy brush. What qualities does the Purdy brush have that are better than the SW brush? Just curious.
I personally prefer SW brushes over Purdy.

I use Purdy, some Wooster, Proform/Picasso and Arroworthy mostly. I do use the SW Contractor brushes for decks and some other production type applications. Good brushes at the price point.

 

[davee]

I use soap and warm water is this not a good idea?

 

[Scott B.]

I use soap and warm water is this not a good idea?

I do occasionally with exterior latexes that are difficult to clean, when they get caked up on the upper section of bristles. I find it to be unnecessary on most interior waterborne products (although primers can be stubborn).

Generally, if its not necessary, I don't...mostly because I don't want soapy residue in the brush, don't want the bristles to be that slippery because I tend to load the brush pretty full and want the paint to be able to hold and release predictably.

The soap isn't bad for the brush, it's more a matter of personal preference. For me, the more predictable and less variables in the performance of the brush, the better.

 

[semenza]

Informative video, nice to see how you do it. I get the idea water based paints are far more popular in America than oil based paints, would you use the same procedure for cleaning brushes with oil based paint?

    Yes, big time. I would say that people avoid oil based paint as much as possible here. Slow dry, messey clean up, fumes, etc. And it seems that because of that, the water base development has moved forward by leaps and bounds compared to oil base. My personal non-pro painter opinion is that in many cases the water base are better than oil now.  Scott?

Seth

 

[promark747]

Here's how Allan Little (AskWoodman) cleans his brushes that were used for oil-based paints/stains:

 

[waho6o9]

Great video and thanks for the friendly advice.

Corona brushes for me with a few Picassos in there as well.

 

[Cheese]

  Yes, big time. I would say that people avoid oil based paint as much as possible here. Slow dry, messey clean up, fumes, etc. And it seems that because of that, the water base development has moved forward by leaps and bounds compared to oil base. My personal non-pro painter opinion is that in many cases the water base are better than oil now.  Scott?

Seth

I agree, 25 years ago I used oil based paints exclusively because latex was horrible to work with other than the water clean-up. Back then, 3M actually produced a green colored sandpaper that was designed specifically for latex paint to prevent the sandpaper from clogging because the sanded latex would form into tiny balls and adhere to the paper.

Now, the only time I use oil paint is to top-prime and back-prime cedar siding and trim. Everything else is latex.

 

[Bob Mircetic]

Here's how Allan Little (AskWoodman) cleans his brushes that were used for oil-based paints/stains:

Thanks for posting.  Since mineral spirits evaporate so quickly, I never thought twice about dumping them out on the ground.  Shame on me I guess.  I wonder what he does with the dirty mineral spirits container when it gets full?

 

[Cheese]

Here's how Allan Little (AskWoodman) cleans his brushes that were used for oil-based paints/stains:

Thanks for posting.  Since mineral spirits evaporate so quickly, I never thought twice about dumping them out on the ground.  Shame on me I guess.  I wonder what he does with the dirty mineral spirits container when it gets full?

When I have to clean my oil priming brushes/rollers with mineral spirits, I pour the used spirits into a Tupperware type container and cover it for several weeks. After that amount of time the pigment has settled to the bottom of the Tupperware and you can pour off the "clean" mineral spirits that is on top. Leave the sediment in the Tupperware air dry for another week or so, and it will shrink in volume and release itself from the container. Then just dispose of the sediment/pigment "pancake" in the appropriate manner.

 

[JCLP]

Hey Scott. Great video. Nice to see how I clean and store my brushes is also the pros do. Been painting for over 25 years and my brushes last a very long time. Quick question. When you paint cabinets on site and are not able to spray, if you were using waterborne paint like BM Advance what stiffness of brush would you use and if you are using small roller sleeves for panels what brand do you use. I have been using Purdy White Dove 4" in size with a nap of 1/4". It produces a smooth finish but not perfect. BM makes a conditioner that they recommend and I use for every gallon and it does help in reducing brush marks and roller nap patterns. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
JC