Painter Essentials

Paint Brushes?

Cleaning brushes and rollers after painting a room is always a pain in the butt. What is the best/easiest way to clean them so that I don't have to keep buying new rollers each time I need to paint?

Public Comments

1. outside onder the tap keep rinsen and squeezing you will get the hang of it
2. If you don't enjoy cleaning rollers and brushes out, try this little trick I use; Wrap your brush/roller in airtight plastic try a grocery bag with no noticeable holes in it then place in the refrigerate complete with fresh paint on it. It will stay fresh for a long time and when you take it out, you can immediately start using it again. When you are done with your project, put a little dish soap on your brush or roller and rub it in using downward motions. Be careful NOT to use hot water! It will harden the paint and make it more difficult to get off. Try slightly cool water.
3. For waterbased paints (latex) use warm water and put in the freezer covered with seran wrap (if it will be a long time until you paint again consider buying new rollers). For oil based paints i would recommend buying a new brush but you can use terpentine to remove the paint - read the directions on the can, it can be very harmful if not used properly.
4. Oil base paint, mineral spirits/gasoline. But be careful of vapors or sparks. After the paint is out use soap and water to finish the job. Water base plenty of soap and water. Best if you can do it outside, use the garden hose to rinse them completely clean. Especially the brushes at the handle. Any paint left in there will get hard and ruin the brush. The rollers are just about the easiest, put them in a bucket and get the most of the paint out to the point it is watery, then take the water hose and hold the paint roller on the handle and flush it with water till clear, hold it in the bucket, handle on the rim, and the force of the water hose will do the rest of the work in short order. After done, let them lay flat until dry. If you stand brushes on the bristle end while wet they develope that crazy curve that never goes away. Then after dry wrap them up in paper and store flat or hang from a nail in the garage. Hope this helps.