Brush Care - Post Painting Maintenance
As tempting as it is to tools-down immediately after painting a hard fun day of painting, do yourself a favour and take a few extra minutes to clean your brushes. It’s minimum effort for maximum reward – not only does it put you in a good starting position for your next project, but it also saves you money. No more buying new brushes for every project!
After painting with water-based paint
When you're done painting with water-based paint, cleaning your paint brushes is a breeze as long as you do it right away. Just dip the bristles into a bucket of warm water and swish them around to get rid of most of the paint. Then, grab a wire brush to comb out any remaining bits of paint. After that, empty the bucket, give it a good clean, and repeat the washing process until your brush is paint-free. If there are still stubborn paint spots, use a bit of mineral turpentine followed by a thorough rinse with warm water and soap. Once your brush is clean, shake off the excess water and store it in its packaging, glad wrap or a plastic bag, which will help to keep the bristles in shape.
After painting with oil-based paint
If you're dealing with oil-based paint, you'll need a different approach to clean your brushes. Start by using mineral turpentine to remove any leftover paint. Pour about 5cm of mineral turpentine into a clean bucket and swish the brush around to loosen the paint. If there are still stubborn spots, use a wire brush to comb out the bristles. Repeat the dip-and-swish process as many times as needed. After that, wash the brush with warm water and soap. Shake off the excess water and store the brush in its cover or a plastic bag, ensuring the bristles are hanging freely to prevent damage or bending while drying.
Storage tips:
- Keep your water-based and oil-based brushes separate
- Clean brushes after every use to stop them from hardening
- Wear old clothing when painting and cleaning brushes.
- Always hang your brushes when drying
- Wrap your brushes in cling wrap between coats and projects