Painting you home is one of the most rewarding home DIY jobs. Lowes has a massive range of amazing paints and painting equipment, all of which you can save money on with a Lowes Discount Coupon from We Are Coupons. When it comes to paining at home, one thing a lot of people ask is how to clean your paintbrushes. It is always nice to have new paintbrushes, but it makes little sense to buy new ones every time you paint a new wall, window frame or door. Here is a quick, We Are Coupons Guide to cleaning your paintbrushes.
Cleaning Paintbrushes: Water based Paint
Compared to cleaning brushes used for oil-based paint, cleaning brushes used with water-based paint is a little easier and yet so many people have no clue and end up buying new brushes for every new job.
The first step to cleaning water-based paint off paintbrushes is to remove as much excess paint at as possible. You can wipe the brush on the edge of the paint can used and then work the brush into some scrap paper.
Once this is done fill a bucket with some soapy water, dish washing detergent works well, place the brushes in the warm soapy water and let them soak for a few hours. Pour the dirtied water away safely and then refill will warm water and in the water work the paint out of the brush bristles or the foam of the roller with your fingers. Finally shake the brush or roller back into the bucket.
Pour the dirty water away again and repeat the process working any excess paint out of the roller or brushes. You may need to repeat this one more time.
Finally, shake of the excess and dry the brushes with a cloth until they very dry. Job done.
Cleaning Paintbrushes: Oil based Paint
Brushes and rollers used with oil-based paint are a little trickier, but when you know how you woll never forget.
As with water-based paint, the first step to cleaning oil based paint off paintbrushes is to remove as much excess paint at as possible. Again, you can wipe the brush on the edge of the paint can used and then work the brush into some scrap paper.
The next step is where things differ. You can’t use water to properly clean a paintbrush that has been used with oil-based paint, you need white spirit. So, fill an old glass jar with white spirit and place the brushes in the liquid. Work the brush against the sides and the bottom of the jar so the liquid works itself into the brush.
Leave the brushes for a few hours and check to see if the brushes are clean. You may need to empty the contents of the jar safely, refill it and repeat the process until the brushes are clean.
Once clean simply rinse the brushes in water, clean with a cloth to dry and put back into storage.
Never pour white spirit down the drain. You can either dispose of it safely or leave it and let the paint settle pour of the white spirit and store it safely for reuse. Let the paint left behind dry and then remove it from the jar and dispose of it safely.
Now your brushes will always be clean and ready for use.
