I’m going to split this guide into two sections. The first will be on how to clean paint brushes used in water-based paint. The other will be how to clean paint brushes used in oil-based paint. Feel free to skip ahead to the section you need.
No matter what paint you’re using, you’ll always get a better result if you buy a good-quality paint brush and then look after it, rather than buying cheap and throwing it away after a job.
Besides which, if you’re anything like me, then you’ll love your brushes. I have a collection of Purdy Monarch Elite, Axus Silk Touch Ultra, ProDec Ice Fusion, Kana Tank, and others. I’m genuinely gutted when one needs to be thrown away.
How to Clean Paint Brushes Used in Water-Based Paint
Cleaning paint brushes used in water-based is much easier than cleaning paint brushes used in oil. All you need is clean water and a detergent. I’ll work my way through the steps now, explain a bit about the best detergent, and then follow up with a quick video, just so you can see exactly what I mean.
Scrape most of the paint from your brush
Start by scraping as much paint as possible off your brush into the paint tin. The more you can remove, the better.
Start rinsing your brush
Run warm water (not hot) in your sink. Hold the brush handle and have the bristles under the flowing water. Pulsate the bristles of the brush against the bottom of the sink (press and release). This sucks water into the brush and then expels is, taking some of the paint as it goes.
Add a detergent
Squirt some detergent onto the bristles while you’re working the brush. This is drawn into the brush with the water, bubbles up, and helps push the paint out. Using a detergent will speed the process up and cut the washing time down by half.
Repeat the process
Keep working until the water running through your paint brush runs clear.
Spin out
Hold the brush handle in your hands and move pass one hand over the other. This spins the brush and expels the water. Your brush is now clean.
(video coming soon)
The Best Detergent to Use When cleaning Paint Brushes
You can just use washing up liquid as a detergent when cleaning your paint brush. It does speed things up, but there is a better product available now.
Pretty Boy Cleaner is a detergent that not only speeds up the cleaning process, but it also goes some way to dissolving dry paint from your brush handle, and it conditions your bristles.
So, if you really want to care for your paint brushes, then using Pretty Boy Cleaner will help. Not just for cleaning your brush but keeping your bristles soft and in top condition.
What if The Paint Has Dried on Your Gone Hard?
If paint has dried in your brush, then there is a product you can use to restore them. Virosol Cleaner is reasonably priced and available on Amazon. It’s heavy-duty, so I wouldn’t advise using it to clean your kitchen worktops.
But it does dissolve dry water-based paint. Simply dilute the virosol in a container with water. Place your paint brushes in the water and allow to soak overnight. Then clean your brushes and condition the bristles. Quite simple really.
How to Clean Paint Brushes Used in Oil-Based Paint
Oil-based paint is a little trickier. You should avoid getting the paint or the cleaning solvent on your skin. You also need to be more environmentally conscious. Running a tiny amount of water-based paint down the sink isn’t ideal, but I can live with that. Running oil-based paint or turps down the sink is a big no no.
Same again, I’ll go through the steps and then talk about the best brush conditioner.
Scrape as much paint from your brushes as possible
Scrape the brushes into the tin to remove as much paint as possible. Doing this will make cleaning your brushes much easier.
Decant some white spirit or brush cleaner into a container
Have two small containers close by. I use paint kettles, but an old coffee jar or ice cream tub would do it. At least one of them needs to be sealable. Decant your cleaning fluid into one of them. You need it to be about an inch deep.
First clean
Dip your brush into the cleaning fluid, press down, release, and keep repeating this movement. Then spin the brush out and set to one side. If you have more than one paint brush to clean, then get them all through this step before moving onto the next.
Second clean
Tip the cleaning fluid into your other tub and set it aside. Decant more cleaning fluid into the first tub. This gives you clean liquid to run your brushes through, which gets them properly clean. Spin out again.
Store your cleaning fluid
Regardless of whether you’re using white spirit or a specialist brush cleaner, there is no need to dispose of it. Put it in a sealable container and put it in storage. Avoid keeping it in your house, just because the liquid is flammable. The paint in the liquid will settle at the bottom of the container over the coming weeks, leaving you a pure cleaner to use next time you clean a paint brush.
Cleaning oil-based paint from a brush
A quick demo on how to clean oil-based paint from a brush.
Using a Brush Cleaner Rather Than White Spirit
Back when we used natural bristle brushes, brush cleaner was very important to maintain the bristles. Now it’s still good, but not essential.
Brush cleaner is reasonably priced, can be used multiple times, will remove more residue than white spirit or turps, and conditions your bristles to keep them soft and stop them from splaying.
As a Professional Decorator, I do treat myself to a bottle occasionally, and it does make some difference. It just to coat the bristles and keeps them soft, so they last longer.
FAQs
Can you use nail polish remover to clean paint brushes?
Technically you can. The acetone in nail polish remover does dissolve paint. It isn’t exactly gentle on your paint brushes though, and if you mix it with water, it will release a vapour that can be harmful. I’d advise against it personally.
Can you use white spirit to clean paint brushes?
White Sprit is good for cleaning oil-based paint out of brushes. It doesn’t work with water-based paint.
How do you clean and soften old paint brushes?
Soak them is a diluted Virosol Cleaner solution overnight, then clean as normal. The Virosol will dissolve any dry paint.
Is it okay to wash paint brushes in the sink?
You’ll get mixed opinions about this, but most Decorators I speak to wash water-based paint out of brushes in the sink. Just remove as much paint as possible before you start. Oil-based paint should not be washed down the sink.
What can I use instead of white spirit to clean brushes?
Use a brush cleaner for oil-based brushes, or Pretty Boy Cleaner for water-based brushes. You’ll find these agents better than white spirit.
Final Thoughts
Over a thousand words on how to clean paint brushes!! It is important though. Looking after your tools will serve you well in the long run. Once clean, store them in a cool, dry place and they’ll last for years before you need to worry about them.
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