What's The Best Thing to Clean Paint Brushes after Using Oil Base Paint

nhoj · 04-12-2012, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ric knows paint

John,

If these brushes are hard- it's going to be difficult, if not impossible to restore them to a condition that I'd want to use 'em on a job that requires any kind of fine, or good quality finish. Having said that, if these brushes are hard as you say, restoring them with "thinner" (you know, as opposed to "mineral spirits) ain't gonna work either.

JSheridan has described a process to effectively clean a brush, used with an oil product, that hasn't completely "set" yet - but, if the product has set, it's going to require something far more potent than "thinner" to restore. And, btw, "thinner" and "mineral spirits" may not be exactly synonymous terms (depending on the context), but for all intents and purposes, they have the same solvency strength...

So...that goes back to my original statement that some won't agree with - soak 'em in paint remover. But if you're concerned that remover may be a bit too caustic and could actually damage the filament (it won't), consider using a product like Savogran's Quik-Eze Brush Cleaner (for hardened - not wet - brushes). There are other similar brands on the market, but that's the one I've always used with pretty good results, and far more effective than soaking 'em in thinner, spirits, whatever...(P.S. - from a compositional perspective of products like Quik-Eze Brush Cleaner, the other, more general term for this type of product is...um...paint remover - because, it removes paint). Oh, and invest in a brush comb as sdsester recommended.

Good luck, but whatever you decide to do with these brushes, you've already spent more time, energy, thought, and perhaps dollars, than what these brushes are probably worth. Pitch 'em, replace 'em, and next time clean the new brushes before they've had a chance to set.

Your Help is very helpful.

I did put them in Spirits right after I got done with them, No they are not hard from drying out my concern is that the paint will not all come out of them. That is why I am asking experts on how you clean your brushes after using oil base paint.

I have heard of brush cleaner since you have said it and forgot that there was a product out there.

The brushes are not hard, but not clean ether like I would like them to be.

They do have a film on the brush.

I do know that this Spirits that I got is worthless at $10.00 a gallon. The old stiff was allot better spirits than this stiff today.

Now the brush comb what are they made out of?

Will a wire brush work as will? Or Not?

What do they run in cost? No cheap ones ether. Good quality is worth every penny you spend.

ric knows paint · 04-12-2012, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nhoj

Your Help is very helpful.

I did put them in Spirits right after I got done with them, No they are not hard from drying out my concern is that the paint will not all come out of them. That is why I am asking experts on how you clean your brushes after using oil base paint.

I have heard of brush cleaner since you have said it and forgot that there was a product out there.

The brushes are not hard, but not clean ether like I would like them to be.

They do have a film on the brush.

I do know that this Spirits that I got is worthless at $10.00 a gallon. The old stiff was allot better spirits than this stiff today.

Now the brush comb what are they made out of?

Will a wire brush work as will? Or Not?

What do they run in cost? No cheap ones ether. Good quality is worth every penny you spend.

OK, if the brushes aren't hard, and the mineral spirits aren't working, you might want to try some xylene instead. Xylene is a medium strength solvent, that should dissolve any not-yet-cured residue of oil based paints from your paint brush. Follow those instructions from JSheridan, and you should be fine.

A Brush Comb is a handy-dandy, time saving tool that you brush through the filaments of your brush during cleaning. Some are made of nails - others are wedge shaped (serrated) aluminum, they're in-expensive and both do essentially the same thing. They'll work about as well as a wire brush, but are a little easier to tote around.

chrisn · 04-12-2012, 05:32 PM

[quote=ric knows paint;897277]John,

If these brushes are hard- it's going to be difficult, if not impossible to restore them to a condition that I'd want to use 'em on a job that requires any kind of fine, or good quality finish. Having said that, if these brushes are hard as you say, restoring them with "thinner" (you know, as opposed to "mineral spirits) ain't gonna work either.

JSheridan has described a process to effectively clean a brush, used with an oil product, that hasn't completely "set" yet - but, if the product has set, it's going to require something far more potent than "thinner" to restore. And, btw, "thinner" and "mineral spirits" may not be exactly synonymous terms (depending on the context), but for all intents and purposes, they have the same solvency strength...

So...that goes back to my original statement that some won't agree with - soak 'em in paint remover. But if you're concerned that remover may be a bit too caustic and could actually damage the filament (it won't), consider using a product like Savogran's Quik-Eze Brush Cleaner (for hardened - not wet - brushes). There are other similar brands on the market, but that's the one I've always used with pretty good results, and far more effective than soaking 'em in thinner, spirits, whatever...(P.S. - from a compositional perspective of products like Quik-Eze Brush Cleaner, the other, more general term for this type of product is...um...paint remover - because, it removes paint). Oh, and invest in a brush comb as sdsester recommended.

Good luck, but whatever you decide to do with these brushes, you've already spent more time, energy, thought, and perhaps dollars, than what these brushes are probably worth. Pitch 'em, replace 'em, and next time clean the new brushes before they've had a chance to set.[/quote]

That's it . No more needs to be said

(except spell check is you're friend, aimed at the OP)

Brushjockey · 04-12-2012, 06:34 PM

The problem sounds like you simply don't know how to clean a brush.
Go to You tube and search cleaning oil brushes. Im sure someone has made a video of it.
The problem is not the spirits, its operator error.

DangerMouse · 04-12-2012, 06:37 PM

Spell check would do no good.
Menial, Spits, Numeral, very, stiff, etc. are all spelled correctly, just used INcorrectly.

DM

jsheridan · 04-12-2012, 08:14 PM

The odorless, environmental white thinner is worthless. As I say, if it doesn't stink, it sucks. I've never used brush cleaner after my father stopped getting free gallons at work. I think it has slightly different qualities than thinner, but it's called brush cleaner. It's not the same as ric suggested with the hardened paint remover. I might try it, I have a fairly large oil job starting next week.
OP, it takes about three or four good rinses with clean thinner to remove oil till the thinner remains clear. I never fully clean my oil brushes. I rinse the bulk of the paint out, wrap them in newspaper, and leave them soaking in thinner, with a little splash of linseed oil. When I need one, I unwrap and spin it out and go. Sometimes the thinner evaporates and I lose one or two, but they will stay surprisingly fresh for awhile even then, as it takes forever for the thinner in the bristles to evaporate through the newspaper sleeve.

chrisn · 04-13-2012, 04:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DangerMouse

Spell check would do no good.
Menial, Spits, Numeral, very, stiff, etc. are all spelled correctly, just used INcorrectly.

DM

true enough

Gymschu · 04-13-2012, 07:46 AM

Methinks "nhoj" is either inhaling the "menial/numeral" spirits or drinking it........

Mr. Paint · 04-13-2012, 06:52 PM

Why would you buy the oil paint from B-M and then run to Wal-Mart to get the thinner? When you buy your new brush, get it, the paint and the thinner at Benjamin-Moore. They will sell a quality thinner that has the solvency strength to work with their alkyd.