When you finish painting, it is important to clean your paint brush and roller so that they are ready for your next job. It is worth your time to spend a few extra minutes getting the paint out of your brushes and off your rollers, and it is a simple task once you know how to do it. Take a look at these tips on cleaning your paint brush and roller.
Place Your Brush and Roller in a Bucket with Solvent
Once you finish painting, you should remove as much paint as possible by rolling or painting on newspaper. You can press your paint brush bristles on the inside of the paint can to get rid of excess paint, and roll the roller in your tray. Once you do, fill a bucket with the appropriate solvent. If you are using latex paint, you can use hot water and mild dish soap. For oil-based paints, use turpentine or mineral spirits. Place your brush and roller in the bucket of solvent and stir it for a few minutes. You may need to soak it if the paint has dried.
Wash Your Paint Brush and Roller
You can run your fingers around the bristles of the paintbrush and along the roller to remove any extra paint. The solvent will help to make this job simple. Once you have removed the paint, you can rinse the brush and the roller with warm water to make sure that it is completely free of paint. This is important because any paint left on the brush or roller will cause imperfections the next time you want to paint.
Dry the Paint Brush and Roller Before You Put It Away
It is a good idea to remove all of the water from your paint brushes and rollers before you put them away. Some people shake the brush and blot it dry on a rag or on a newspaper. If you do a lot of painting projects, a brush and roller spinner can help you dry them more quickly. You can attach your brush or your roller to the spinner, and it uses centrifugal force to spin it dry.
Store Your Brushes
There are several ways to store your brushes so that the bristles keep their shape. If you have a pegboard in your garage or in a closet, you can hang your brushes. It is also a good idea to keep any packaging that can hold the bristles shape. This will help to ensure that your brushes last longer and are up for the job each time you paint.
Final Words
When you complete a paint job, it is important to take the time to clean and store your brushes and rollers properly. These tools can last for many projects as long as you take care of them. You need to make sure that there isn’t any paint left on them and dry them before you put them away. Store paint brushes in a way to protect the shape of the bristles.
Marc Poulos began his real estate and financial services career, but he soon realized that his true passion was beautifying homes. He started working with various small craftsman shops before serving an apprenticeship with the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Chicago. His commitment to excellence won him Top Apprentice from Washburne trade school in Chicago – the country’s premier school of its kind.
