How To Clean A "Lifetime" Paintbrush
2022 ж. 19 Қар.
17 994 Рет қаралды
Is it possible to purchase one paintbrush, and be able to use it hundreds of times? You betcha! If you clean it with the simple system I show in this video you can have a "lifetime" paintbrush.
As mentioned in this video, here is the first KZhead video of my home addition project from 2018...
• Part 1 of my 2018 Hous...
I use liquid dish soap and gently rub the bristles together near the ferrule. Then I'll grab all the bristles and move then in a circular motion around the ferrule. This breaks up the paint that is under the ferrule, that you don't see. I have brushes that are 40+ years old. They don't look new, but they also don't have any paint on or in them. The key comments that Herrick made was to wash your brush periodically and don't let it sit. If you need to stop painting for more than a few minutes, wash your brush.
Great video! I'm a painting contractor. I have brushes that are still in use that I bought over thirty years ago. I always wash immediately with dish detergent and warm water and rinse and repeat until the water flows through the bristles clear. I will even rinse brushes multiple times during the day to keep the paint from hardening on the bristles. Also, try to keep paint from getting up near the ferrule.
You'll never forget your first Purdy paint brush..... it pays to take care of them. Great tips!
Just as I've always cleaned my brushes. Glad to see you teaching this. Had a good teacher myself.
Really enjoyed your video. It made me remember something from childhood (now 66) that my Dad taught me. It's like you say never loan your paint brush. My Dad had a big old black handled paint brush that he got from his Dad who he said had it as far back as he can remember. I think he said Grandpa used to paint barns. It still looked like new and was like "the hot stove" never touch it! He also passed on the same things you showed about cleaning brushes and roller covers. I've added some habits of my own like after you have cleaned it let it set until it is just barely damp then put it back in cover it came in help to keep the shape. Something I found that work good for reviving neglected brushes is to let hem sit overnight in water and "dishwasher" detergent. I like the powdered the best. I take a plastic container the brush will fit in and use a clamp or if it will fit the brush a clip clothes pin and suspend it so the Ferrell is just above the water. A couple of drops of Dawn dish soap helps too. Dawn was used to clean animals after oil spills not because it was "so gentle" but has one of the highest disalates which cut the oil but the animals were washed off right away it didn't harm them. I had seen a video about soaking hardware in dishwasher soap to remove old paint. Soak it overnight and the paint come off pretty easy. Thank you for sharing the knowledge. I like that you don't make it sound like "you" thought it all up. Some you probably have and rightfully should take credit for. One of the best pieces of wisdom my Dad shared with me when I was very young was "keep you mouth shut and your eyes and ears open especially around more mature people." I have done that and showed them respect and in turn received their respect to where the felt willing to share their treasure of knowledge.
Thank you for the tip Uncle Pete and Uncle Herrick.
Probably not going to use the wife's kitchen sink and vegetable brush, but I do appreciate the lesson. 🙂
I just watched four different videos on How to Clean Your Paint Brushes! They mostly said the same thing. HOWEVER, the This Old House expert wants us to treat those bristles nice. VERY gentle. No WIRE brush. SOMETIMES when it's absolutely needed, use a paint brush comb, with metal teeth. But he said only soft bristles for brushing those paint brush bristles. I've been doing so much wrong. I'm gonna buy some new ones - some of the $20 brushes - and treat them right.
Always a little pride keeping your tools looking and working like new... sometimes they work even even better than new.
Hi, Herrick and Marlene: Here on Johnson mountain, my husband's been still working full-time in construction, now 66 yrs old, and on Saturdays works on our "guest house" half way down the mountain. We call that location Bucket Hill. The house is about 900 sq. ft., pretty small, but fine for a rental. In this area will make $1500/month. It's an ongoing project of two years, kinda like your new construction, Herrick. It takes a while when it's not done full-time. Sounds like a friend in Idaho who's been building his log cabin, (log diameter of 18") for at least 3 years. It's been weathered-in for a couple years. He has to work full-time as well, age 64, in his business of construction. It just takes time for good things! Thanks for a great video!
Wow, that surprise behind the door is amazing! Looks great....thanks for sharing
Excellent instructions!
Thanks for sharing your knowledge and keep your videos coming please.
Those were good tips one thing I would point out is I return it to that plastic sleeve that it comes in to help it keep it shape so it doesn't puff out
Pretty much exactly how I clean my brushes, good to know I'm doing it right! I don't use soap though. A trick I learned is to get fresh paint on the dried paint before you clean it, helps soften the dried paint.
Great tip, thanks.
Good bless Uncle Pete 👍🏼
Pro tip: Always use cold water on latex paint , Hot water will cause the paint to set up on the brush while you clean it and make it harder to clean. Thanks for the video, good job.
I wrap the paint loaded paintbrush up in a plastic bag and I am able to still clean it out like you did even after about 3 days, but you're mileage may vary. I'm not sure just how long the bag trick will keep, I let one go too long and it was ruined. I use that method so I'm not always cleaning the brush. And I think it's more time efficient to clean once at the end rather than several times throughout the painting project, but I haven't timed it so I could be totally wrong.
I used to do that. I also put the plastic wrapped brush in the freezer for even longer keeping. None of those brushes lasted me for as many uses and looked as good as the one I show in this video. But you're right... mileage varies, depending on all kinds of variables. Thanks for the comment. 👍
My father taught me how to do that over 60 years ago. To finish he (and I0) would wrap it in a piece on newspaper to shape it as it dried.
OMG, red trim! Only seen in Chinese restaurants Mr Herick.
Thanks!
A couple of the brushes I have are over 30 years old, they have been used mote times than I can guess at.
If your lifetime brush that has painted thousands of square feet and couldn't possibly be replaced in your heart has for any reason or another become a stiff hard mess of paint, you can soak it in acetone for an hour or so and the paint (latex/acrylic based) will be soft and removable. Also, make a special tool for cleaning deeply with thin but stiff nails. I hammer wire or trim nails through a thin piece of scrap (predrilled) and sharpen the ends of them with a file. It digs in really well, much better than nylon or steel wire brush.
Like the advice bout never loaning out a paint brush. Have taken it a step further and hide the nice brushes as no one in my house will clean them properly feeling a plastic wrapping is fine for tomorrow's cleaning... Ultimately it's vastly cheaper to volunteer to paint rather than tolerate others destroying brushes, spatter, poor edging, etc. Love your chanel.
Invaluable✌️ •&• ☑️ THANKS! for the charming #️⃣REMiNDER sign!😉👌
I would like you to demonstrate your technique after applying two part Marine paint for two minutes overhead. I have done so many times, and brushes just slowly accumulate paint even after thorough cleaning with lacquer thinner, mostly where no brush can reach to remove already partly cured paint. So the usable bristles slowly become shorter and shorter.
If it's two part urethane or epoxy base, there isn't really anything that will dissolve that which wouldn't also destroy the bristles. If you're cleaning a brush fresh off of painting then use the lacquer thinner plus a special made tool with thin but stiff nails. I hammer wire or trim nails through a thin piece of scrap and sharpen the ends of them with a file. It digs in really well.
Little by slow. Like it.
Thanks. I've never been able to get them clean enough! Any tips for oil based paints?
Get a disposable brush for oil-based paints. 😁
@@herrickkimball love it! 🤣
I found my way here wondering the same thing about brushes used for oil paints. I'm currently restoring 75 year old windows and have found a good brush is essential for oil based paints. Unfortunately, even when using a cheap brush at 8-10$ per it can get expensive real quick. I found mineral spirits helps give you a little extra mileage
What brand of brushes is the “best” brush for painting? I’m new to painting. Thanks! Also what recommended rollers?
Purdy is a good brand for painting tools.
They sell paint brush combs in a quality paint store
Thanks Uncle Pete, RIP.
Do you have cleaning tips for oil based paints?
Same principle but with lots of mineral spirits or paint thinner. Pour the dirty thinner into glass jars and let it set for a week. The dissolved paint will settle and you can pour off clean thinner to use again. I used to have a gallon glass jug for my used thinner to settle in.
First of all good luck finding a square cut sash brush at the big box store. Insert angle cut sash brush rant! I use a stainless bristle wire brush, stainless needle tined brush comb, and coarse scuff pads. There are reasons to clean the handle and the ferrule. First you don’t want lumpy paint buildup under your grip which can include the ferrule when your cutting in. Secondly it gets more difficult to clean properly if you let paint build up anywhere. If the session runs long you can rough clean crusting paint off the top of your bristles and ferrule with the side of your putty knife. Follow that with damp scuff pad and a paper towel. Work the brush in your paint pot thinning the thickening paint with fresh paint and carry on. AKA Sashman! Purdy has discontinued its best brushes like the 4” XL Titan with the oblong ferrule instead of the hard to choke up on sharp square ferrule. How about a video on the desirable early Hyde single bevel stiff back putty knife.
Latex paint?
You used cold water but hot kettle or tap water so ok too?
I’ve never used hot water but I’m sure it will do the job just fine. Maybe better. 🙂👍
👍👍👍
How the hell did u keep paint from driping down the paint brush, on the handle, etc?
Practice practice practice! Carry a damp cloth to wipe drips, spills, and mistakes! Do not overload the brush just a few pointers I have learned over time.
I would loan my paint brush to you.
What about oil based paint?
Same principal. Cleanup is not so easy. I have bought a cheap brush and tossed after using oil based finishes. Used to clean with mineral spirits. Then pour into a big jug, let the solids settle and pour off the clarified liquid to reuse. I recently learned that my state has outlawed the retail sale of mineral spirits. NY 🙁
Hey dad I need a paint brush mind if I barrow that thing?? 😂 jk
You're funny. No. I loaned a brush to your mom and learned my lesson. 😂
U.K. lean paint brush cleaning
OK then.....no secrets here. Same as everyone else. S'not brain surgery. Many of these painters seem to think so, but it is not.