Care and Feeding of Paint Brushes

ToolSeeker

Hey brush try this and tell me what you think. Mix 1/2 cup Downy fabric softener with a gallon of water. Take your dirty brush and swill it around in mix for about 30 seconds then run your comb through it a couple times, swirl it again, then run it under the tap, dry it and store it. Not only does it come clean in just a minute but the next time you use it it's almost as soft as the day you bought it. This also works for roller covers. I usually mix up a couple gallon in a 5 gallon bucket and keep it on the truck. I also use this like at lunch time so when I come back it's like having a new brush and you don't get any buildup.
Has anyone else used this

Brushjockey

Tool- good trick - I've heard of using downy for a long time, but haven't done it in quite a while. Picked some up yesterday to give it another shot.
Downy is also good to throw a shot in premix mud to lessen bubs..

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"It's better to come here with questions before you screw up than to come here after and ask how to fix them."- JS

ramandeep

How to clean a paint roller?

Brushjockey

Couple of helpful things about this-
First use a 5 in one tool to rake out the paint in it ( usually quite a bit- put back in can)
Then use that tool in running water a few times to get most out. You can also leave in a bucket of water for a bit and a bunch will drop out.
Then use this tool- get wet- work with hands, spin, repeat until spins clean. Don't set on end to dry put over back of roller handle so end is free. Otherwise might get hard if not completely clean.

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"It's better to come here with questions before you screw up than to come here after and ask how to fix them."- JS

ToolSeeker

That fabric softner in your water will also work on roller covers to clean just takes a little longer and as brush said scrap the excess out first.

guynextdoor

I find that keeping the brushes soaked in a bucket of water when not in use helps. I clean them once I all the painting is done. When doing two different colors or switching between paint types, I just keep the one not in use in a small bucket of water. At the end of the day, just rinsing it out under a tap is all it takes...

ToolSeeker

If it works for you fine but does not seem like a good idea because the bristles ends will swell from sitting in water it seems like you are shortening the life of your brushes. If I am just taking a break I just put mine in a plastic bag and twist the top closed.