On Sun, 10 Jul 2005 19:19:13 GMT, Paul Oman
wrote:



I recently purchased a very expensive paint brush (hoping it would paint
the boat for me!)

Anyway, I realized I don't really know how to clean a paint brush....

I dip it in solvent a few times and use a 'brush spinner' - but don't
really know if I am doing it right. No big deal with cheap brushes, but
the $ ones need to last a while.

paul

It is very instructive to clean up a brush used for water-based paint.

Washing it under running water brings on the realization that a brush
can release pigment for a good while after solvent (water) starts
flowing.
The same principle applies to oil-base or resin-base paint:
it takes an awful lot of solvent to lose the last vesitiges of
pigment.

Better to hold a brush in suspended animation if at all possible -
people have used water-submersion for oil-based paint brshes -
or kept them in a fridge.

Brian Whatcott Altus OK

One more thing: always hang your brushes to store them, never in a
drawer. And always putthe cardboard wrapper back on 'em after you've
cleaned 'em. Don't wait till the brush is dry to put the wrapper back
on...it needs to dry IN the wrapper...'cuz that's what keeps the
bristles "organized" so you don't have strays sticking out next time you
want to use it.

I've owned several GOOD paint brushes in assorted sizes for years, for
both oil and latex paints....they're expensive, but definitely a
worthwhile investment (so is the best quality paint). If I can't finish
a job in one "sitting," it's not necessary to clean the brush...the
important thing is to keep it from drying out. So I just wrap the
bristles in wet rag (latex) or a rag soaked in paint thinner (oil or
varnish)--not dripping wet, just damp--and put it in a ziplock till the
next day, or even the next...clean it when the job is done.

--
Peggie
----------
Peggie Hall
Specializing in marine sanitation since 1987
Author "Get Rid of Boat Odors - A Guide To Marine Sanitation Systems and
Other Sources of Aggravation and Odor"
http://www.seaworthy.com/store/custo...0&cat=6&page=1

I like to put the brushes upside down after cleaning to dry. This way any
residual paint in the thinner will drain down the handle and not collect on
the bristle tips and harden. Also when doing epoxy I just put the brush in a
heavy duty ziplock with acetone, mushed the bristles a bit and left it until
I needed it again. It never dried, just shake out the acetone before using.

"Peggie Hall" wrote in message
...
One more thing: always hang your brushes to store them, never in a
drawer. And always putthe cardboard wrapper back on 'em after you've
cleaned 'em. Don't wait till the brush is dry to put the wrapper back
on...it needs to dry IN the wrapper...'cuz that's what keeps the
bristles "organized" so you don't have strays sticking out next time you
want to use it.

I've owned several GOOD paint brushes in assorted sizes for years, for
both oil and latex paints....they're expensive, but definitely a
worthwhile investment (so is the best quality paint). If I can't finish
a job in one "sitting," it's not necessary to clean the brush...the
important thing is to keep it from drying out. So I just wrap the
bristles in wet rag (latex) or a rag soaked in paint thinner (oil or
varnish)--not dripping wet, just damp--and put it in a ziplock till the
next day, or even the next...clean it when the job is done.

--
Peggie
----------
Peggie Hall
Specializing in marine sanitation since 1987
Author "Get Rid of Boat Odors - A Guide To Marine Sanitation Systems and
Other Sources of Aggravation and Odor"

http://www.seaworthy.com/store/custo...0&cat=6&page=1

"Peggie Hall" wrote in message
...
it.

I've owned several GOOD paint brushes in assorted sizes for years, for
both oil and latex paints....they're expensive, but definitely a
worthwhile investment (so is the best quality paint). If I can't finish
a job in one "sitting," it's not necessary to clean the brush...the
important thing is to keep it from drying out. So I just wrap the
bristles in wet rag (latex) or a rag soaked in paint thinner (oil or
varnish)--not dripping wet, just damp--and put it in a ziplock till the
next day, or even the next...clean it when the job is done.

expired lung air has worked for me to keep a brush for a few days, sometimes
buy just leaving in the pot and putting the pot in a plastic bag full of
expired lung air. I always breath into paint tins before sealing since I
read about it here.

barry lawson wrote:


expired lung air has worked for me to keep a brush for a few days, sometimes
buy just leaving in the pot and putting the pot in a plastic bag full of
expired lung air. I always breath into paint tins before sealing since I
read about it here.


Next timw try propane from a torch.

It is heavier than air thus driving out the air in the can.

Just don't be smoking or have an open flame around when you do itG.

Lew