On Thu, 4 Oct 2012 10:00:13 -0500, "HeyBub"
wrote:

Robert Macy wrote:

Actually more questions than simply how to clean a brush:
1. how to properly clean a brush

1. Dip brush into a solution of warm water and fabric softener.
2. Extract the solution using a brush-spinner.
3. Repeat.
4. Rinse brush with tap water.


Any brush, pig bristle or polyester, will be difficult to clean if you
load it up to the ferrule and allow the paint to gum up or dry inside.
Latex will crack off polyester bristles after it thoroughly cures, and
you can rub it out/off of the bristles unless you formed a dried brick
of paint inside.
Oil is less tolerant, and most dried paint inside the bristles is
there forever. You can wire brush some out but you'll lose bristles.
If you turn it into a brick, just throw the brush away.
There's no magic "solvent" for dried paint inside a brush.
Well, there might be, but I've never seen them used.
For me even a good brush wouldn't be worth using strong solvents to
salvage it. Probably degrade the bristle quality.
Brush care/cleaning goes hand-in-hand with painting technique.
Here's what I say/do.
Use a quality flagged brush.
Don't load it heavily or apply too much pressure when stroking.
That's easily said, but never works through the entire job.
But try.
When/if the paint soaks the bristle 2/3 of the way to the ferrule,
STOP PAINTING AND GO CLEAN THE BRUSH.
Pros can stretch this because they're pros and work fast.
But mortals should be more careful.
I've cleaned many brushes early to mid job, oil and latex.
Only takes a few minutes.
Never spun a latex or oil brush.
With oil, brush the cleaning spirits out a couple times firmly on
newspaper or wood or even a rag, flexing the brush.
With latex just rub the bristles under a running faucet.
Okay, there it is. I've cleaned a LOT of brushes, and also worked
house-painting with my brother, a long time pro painter, who taught me
what I said.
I know the SOB would argue about it though.
Always roll if you can, but sometimes you need a brush.
I've got 6-7 hanging on pegs. One good pig bristle is hard inside, so
I don't always follow my own advice. I'll toss it.
When I painted more with oil I had 2 covered coffee cans of thinner
under a workbench for a 2-step brush cleaning process.
BTW, if allowed to set a few days, that dirty thinner will get crystal
clear and you can pour it into a new can. Toss the old can with the
settled paint.