Brush cleaning tips – oil





Are you one of those people that buy cheap brushes, use them and throw them away?

well that’s fine, but a decent brush will make the job go faster, easier and provide a better finish. Also a decent brush if looked after will last a lifetime.

I remember seeing my granddads collection of brushes in his garage, hilts and stems all covered in paint but the bristles kept immaculate. although they looked tired and looked as though they should be thrown away, they worked amazing.

i must admit when i started out decorating i worked with cheap inferior brushes and wondered why i couldn’t achieve the finish of get the job done as quick as others, its easy its the tools!

I now only really use Purdy brushes as i find the finish and usability next to none. http://www.purdy.com/ 

Oil Based Paints

I have been a bit of a latecomer to the use of Brushmate brush storage boxes. Now i wonder how i can live without them basic benefits are:
  • time saving (no need to cleanup and wash out with every use
  • cost saving (how many time have you left brushes to go hard and become unusable)
  • easy (just clean of excess paint and store until next time)
it a nutshell there a storage box with clips in to hold the brushes, and you insert a cleaning pad which give off vapors to keep the paint moist and stops them going hard. depending how many times you open the lid determines how long they last. (http://www.brushmate.co.uk/) 


but the old fashioned way to clean oil based paint is simple:

  1. always clean off excess paint, into the can or pot then wipe excess off onto some old newspaper, or as my granddad used to, onto a wall in his garage. *note* don’t stab the brush just use a back and forth method, you don’t want to spoil the bristles.
  2. fill a jaw with a little white spirit, paint cleaner or turps and stroke the brush on the bottom to loosen the paint within the bristles, remove brush and repeat the first step onto the newspaper.
  3. you may want s second container with new cleaner or spirits in depending on the colour of the paint used. (i know people that have a series of pots they used in sequence gradually getting the brush cleaner.
  4. the brush now should nearly be back to clean again. the last step is to clean with good old fashioned soap and water, i used warm! and a hand soap dispenser (or washing up liquid) rub the soap into the bristles and wash out with the water. repeat this until only clean water comes off the brush. Voila a clean brush, allow to dry and your ready to use again. I usually go out into the garden and swing the brush around like you ringing a hand bell to get rid of most the water.