How to Care for Paint Brushes After Use

If you’re the man-in-the-middle at your home, then you’ve probably painted your home’s interiors prior to. As a seasoned painter, you’re aware that the importance of taking care with paint brushes for them to work to their maximum capacity.

Types of Paint Brushes

There are four kinds of paint brushes depending on the material they are made of.

  • Natural hair brushes. The brushes for natural hair painting are of the highest quality and are best used with oil-based hair paints.
  • Synthetic hair brushes. Brushes made of synthetic hair are made of nylon or polyester and this is the reason they’re more durable than natural hair brushes. They are also less expensive, however they have drawbacks since the bristles tend to be snagged when painting.
  • Brushes with flagged bristles. Flagged paint brushes are made of bristles that are split at the ends. They are designed for painting using latex. The split ends aid in holding more paint onto the brush. Also, it leaves less marks when painting on the wall.
  • Brushes that are sizeable. Brushes come in many kinds and sizes. You cannot be a painter unless you own at least a handful of different brushes. Small brushes, large brushes, angles brushes and other.

How to Keep Paint Brushes Soft

Over time, any brush is likely to harden its bristles even those made of natural hair. This makes any future painting projects harder to work with. If you are a fan of your brushes and want to repair their bristles that are hardened This is how you could use them to avoid throwing them to the trash.

  • Boil the vinegar in. Put your brush in an unopened saucepan of vinegar and heat it up for a couple of minutes or until bristles are able to move.
  • Scrape away any excess paint. You might not be noticing it, however bristles may have become hardened due to paint residue. Take the brushes out of the vinegar in the kettle and use a spatula made of metal to scrape away any remaining paint in the liquid after it has boiled.
  • Boil once more. Repeat the boiling procedure, depending on the need of your brushes. Sometimes just a few minutes aren’t enough. And if the bristles remain too difficult to separate, you can do it again.
  • Apply conditioner to the bristles. When you’re done boiling process and are sure that there’s no more paint on the bristles then cover the bristles with conditioner.
  • Put all brushes into plastic baggies.
  • The bags should be placed inside hot, scalding water. The warmth will allow the conditioner penetrate the bristles with ease. You can leave them for up to about an hour.
  • Wash the brush. Then, after another clean, your brush will feel soft, ready to use.

How to Clean Paint Brushes

Here’s a more thorough guide to cleaning as well as dry your paint brushes.

  • Use a brush wiper clean to eliminate the majority of the remaining residue. Paper towels or rags. The idea is not to begin with water straight away. In this way you can continue with cleaning is easier.
  • Cleanse your brush. Put the brush in an empty container of solvent or water and swirl it to eliminate as much paint as is possible.
  • Wipe it off again. Utilize either a cloth or paper towel to get rid of any solvent. However, if you had used just water for the first step, you may leave this step out.
  • Rinse under running water. Transfer your brushes to the basin and put the bristles in running water. Rub them gently with your finger to ensure that you’ve eliminated all unnecessary debris between them. Also, while you’re there clean any residue of paint from the handle, too.
  • Blot the excess water. Check that the bristles are been straight and not bent in an unneeded direction. Straighten them when they’re wet. Blot off all the excess water using an absorbent towel.

How to Care for Paint Brushes After Use

No matter what kind of paint brushes you own the best way to care for them in a proper manner is the same.

  • Cleaning the brushes right away after using. To prolong the life span of your brush and to not to dispose of it in a hurry, cleanse the paint brushes promptly after use.
  • Clean your brush after painting. When you take breaks between painting such as fifteen minutes of break between walls, take advantage of the break to clean your brush. Even if you’ll continue using the same color afterward.
  • Clean the bristles’ base. The area around the ferrule is the most difficult area to wash and to be competent at it begin at the ferrule. Even if it’s going to take more then 15 mins.
  • Don’t keep your brushes in a vertical position in water. If you leave your brush vertically within water, or in any other kind of cleaning agent will bend the bristles and alter their shape forever. It’s not just that, water can also penetrate the bristles’ base and loosen the glue that is holding themin place, leading to bristles falling off.
  • Clean brushes are stored vertically, face-side-up. Or horizontally, depending on what you prefer. Check that they’re dry prior to taking them out for storage. So long as the head side isn’t impacted by pressure, you’re good go.