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Cleaning Paint Brushes – Do as I Say, Not as I Do!

May 5, 2010 Painting

Cleaning paint brushes is one of those things I don’t quite feel qualified to speak on. Not because I don’t know how, but because I don’t do it!

I know it’s bad, bad, bad, but I don’t take the greatest care of my brushes. Then again, I don’t spend a huge amount on them. With the type of painting I do (experimental painting on board) my brushes get chewed up pretty fast. It’s not worth investing much  money in them.

That being said, I do have a few good brushes set aside for fine work, and I try my best to look after those!

Even though I don’t set the best example, cleaning your brushes properly is an important part of painting. Paint brushes can get super-expensive and as an artist, it’s in your best interest to take care your tools. Learn from my mistakes!

Brush Cleaning Tips

Here are a few basic brush cleaning tips I’ve learned over the years, but because I’m no expert, I’ve also found some great links that go into more detail and provide more information about brush cleaning.

• Try to clean your brushes right after a painting session. Don’t give the paint a chance to dry.
• Don’t let your brushes sit in water or thinner for long periods of time. Firstly, the weight of the brush can bend the bristles so that they no longer form a tip. Secondly, it can loosen the bond of the bristles or the ferrule (the metal part).
• Acrylic paint can be washed off with warm water and a bit of soap.
• Oil paint needs to be washed with mineral spirits or turpentine, followed by soap.
• It helps to get as much oil paint out of your brush before cleaning with thinners.
• Work the soap into a lather, like you’re shampooing the bristles. Keep using fresh soap to get all the paint out.
• You can buy brush cleaner and conditioner to wash your brushes. This is a lot like soap, but I find it cuts the oil in oil paints better than plain soap. It can also help loosen partially dried paint from brushes and clothing.

On the Web 

How to Clean your Paint Brushes after Oil Painting: Brush Cleaning 101
This takes you through the process step by step and even shows pictures.

Oil & Acrylic Painting Tips : Paint Brush Cleaner
This video talks about the different brush cleaners available and gives a quick demonstration on how to clean.

How to Clean Dry Paint out of Brushes
It happens to all of us eventually. Learn how to clean dry paint brushes with Lanolin hand cleaners.

Before I go take my own advice and clean my brushes, what are some unconventional tips you use to get your paint brushes like new again?

Tags: acrylic painting, oil painting, paint brush, paintings