Proper cleaning and care of paint brushes

Whether you are planing to paint your home, or you are working on a simple wood working project, investing in good quality brushes is important. With proper care and use, your brushes will last you a good long time and help stretch your painting dollar.

There are two characteristics of a good brush that you should be on the look out for. They include the following:

A good brush will also have split ends. The more ends that are split, the better the brush performs.

Be sure to precondition your brushes before use. Conditoning them helps them to accept paint and will insure a longer more useful life. To precondition, rub the ends of the bristles vigorously on a rough surface and then spin in your hands. Soften the brushes in linseed oil for 24 hours before first use.

If there are stray bristles, remove them with a knife or scraper.

When painting, use the dip-and-slab method. Slowly submerge the brush into the paint about a third of the length of the bristles, then slab off the excess on the side of the paint container. If you dip deeply into the bristles, paint will accumulate in the heel of the brush and shorten the life of the brush.

When finished with your brush, proper cleaning is a must. Start with turpentine, thinner or other commercial cleaner to clean away excess paint. Then use cleansing powder until the water runs clear. Wrap the brush in foil and store.

If you have a paint brush that has been neglected, there are ways to restore that brush. For paint buildup, soak in a paint remover for 10 minutes. Use a comb to remove jellied paint and then rinse with turpentine. Repeat until all the paint is out. After your brush is free of paint, clean with soap and water, straighten the bristles, wrap in foil, and store. For a brush that may have warped bristles, try a soaking in linseed oil, reshape, and store.

Using the above methods for use and cleaning of your paint brushes will greatly improve their lifespan.