Boat Forum / Building / July 2005

I use a "three wash system." I use the solvent (such as acetone,
xylene, or tolulene) recommended by the paint manufacturer. I pour
solvent into three sealable containers, large enough to hold the
brush, clean up to the feral (pun intended). I wash a new brush the
first bath before using the brush the first time, or if its been
laying around collecting dust. When I want to clean the brush after
use, I was it in the first bath to get the worst cleaned off. I also
have a dog grooming comb (small) to work out any dried bits. Once it
is reasonably clean, I squeeze it out and pat it dry. Next I wash it
in the second bath. This cleans the remaining residue out of the
bristles. Squeeze and pat dry. Inspect and if it is clean enough, I
rinse it thoroughly in the third bath and spin dry and hang it from
the rafters. This is probably not a good place to hang them, but its
the only place I have.
I also use to use Paly-Solve sometimes, then I would use warm soapy
water and a brush conditioner.
Save your dirty solvent in a seperate container, allow it to settle
for a few days then pour off the clean thinner on top and save for
another day to use as bath one and two. The remaining sludge in the
bottom can be left open to dry out and then properly disposed of. I
evaporate everything, never flash it.

It is very instructive to clean up a brush used for water-based paint.

Washing it under running water brings on the realization that a brush
can release pigment for a good while after solvent (water) starts
flowing.
    The same principle applies to oil-base or resin-base paint:
it takes an awful lot of solvent to lose the last vesitiges of
pigment.

Better to hold a brush in suspended animation if at all possible -
people have used water-submersion for oil-based paint brshes -
or kept them in a fridge.

Brian Whatcott     Altus OK

I've also used the same paint brushes over and over for years.
They can be wrapped in plastic and left overnight.
To start cleaning I wipe on newspaper, then squeeze between newspaper.

Water based brushes are just cleaned in the sink under running water. I
press them on the bottom of the sink to squeeze out the paint and hold
them upside down under the tap to get the water right up into the base
while massaging the bristles.

Paint thinner is dribbled onto the bristles of oil based brushes held
upside down a few drops at a time, to load the brush, then the bristles
are massaged. The brush is wiped on newspaper.

All brushes are cleaned and wiped dry with a rag. The rag is worked in and
around the bristles to clean and dry the interior of the bistles as well
as the outer surface. It's important to get right down to the base of the
brush, but not hard enough to spread the bristles permanantly. If the
brush is stiff I use a fork to separate the bristles.

The brushes are all stored togehter in a plastic bag.

I read that natural hair brushes should not be used with water based paint
because the water swells the hairs. I don't make a distincion for small
fast jobs, but for big jobs where the brush will be wet for a long time
I tend to stick with nylon bristles for water based paint.

Naturally I buy only the cheapest brushes but they last when taken
care of.

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William R Watt    National Capital FreeNet    Ottawa's free community network
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Hi,

I found that a pressure washer with the nozzle at a low angle pointing
away from the handle works quite well.

cheers,
Pete.