How To Clean Paint Brushes And Rollers
If you've recently decided to acquire on a painting project, you may have discovered that paint supplies, like paint brushes and rollers, aren't necessarily cheap. That's why it's important to get the most for your money, and learn how to clean paint brushes and rollers properly. Not all paint types are created equally, thus not all paint brushes and rollers can be cleaned the same. In this article we will look at how to clean paint brushes and rollers when using both latex (water-based) paint and oil-based paint.
Generally speaking, there are two types of interior paint: latex paint and oil-based paint. How you go about cleaning your painting tool will depend greatly on which one of these paints you have used.
How to clean paint brushes and rollers when using latex (water-based) paint
Latex paint is MUCH easier to clean than oil-based paint, simply because it is a water-based product. Cleaning your paint brushes and rollers won't take you very long at all, and can be done in a few simple steps.
STEP 1 - To begin with, select all the excess paint from your paint tool. You can do this by gently scraping the brush or roller with a metal tool, or by using a brush-cleaning tool.
STEP 2 - Creating a mixture of liquid fabric softener and water is THE BEST way to shipshape paint brushes and rollers. Mix a gallon of warm water and combine it with ½ cup of liquid fabric softener. Dip your brush and/or roller into the mixture and dunk it up and down several times, swishing it as you go. The fabric softener will help dissolve the paint quickly.
STEP 3 - Now, you will want to dry the paint brush or roller as much as possible. Take it outside and shake it vigorously, swinging it back and forth as you shake. If you can grasp the handle in your hand and rub your hands serve and forth (as if trying to make a fire), you can really get a good spin on it. Once you've got most of the water out, dab it with a dry towel.
Your painting tool should now be 100% paint-free, as well as soft and smelling gargantuan! Not sure why you will need a novel smelling paint brush or roller, but mild....the fact remains that it will smell nice.
How to clean paint brushes and rollers when using oil-based paint
When your painting tool is covered in oil-based paint, it will be time consuming to dapper. Unlike latex paint, it cannot be cleaned up with water, and it will be necessary to use solvents to properly remove the paint. In all honesty, if you have dilapidated a paint roller, I recommend just throwing it away. Since they aren't as expensive as a paint brush to replace, it is hardly worth the effort to clean it. (Oil-based paint WILL stain your clothing, so win care when handling it!)
Now, in order to clean paint brushes and rollers covered in oil-based paints, you will need to have the following supplies:
- (4) titanic disposable bowls or buckets
- Mineral spirits
- Denatured alcohol
- Fabric softener and water (follow the recipe above)
STEP 1 - Remove all the excess paint from your paint tool. You can do this by gently scraping the brush or roller with a metal tool, or by using a brush-cleaning tool.
STEP 2 - Label all four of your disposable bowls or buckets. One should contain mineral spirits. One should beget 50% mineral spirits and 50% denatured alcohol. One should contain denatured alcohol. The last should contain the fabric softener mixture.
STEP 3 - Commence cleaning your painting tool by dipping it in mineral spirits and swishing it around. Shake off the excess liquid. Then, dip your tool in the mineral spirit / denatured alcohol and repeat process. Next, dip your paint brush in the pure denatured alcohol and repeat process. Finally, quickly dip the brush in the fabric softener / water mixture, dunking it up and down several times. SHAKE FURIOUSLY to remove excess liquid. Then, dab off with a clean dry towel and allow the brush to dry completely.
If you have plans to paint several rooms in your home, it only makes sense to save money by cleaning your painting tools so that they can be reused. For your safety, it is recommended that you wear gloves to clean paint brushes and rollers.
** To read more from this author, CLICK HERE.
SOURCE:
Personal knowledge and experience
http://www.examiner.com/x-8895-Charlotte-Interior-Improvement-Examiner~y2010m2d23-Latex-or-oil--Which-interior-paint-is-best
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Filed under Increase Vertical Jump by on Feb 4th, 2012. 
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