audiokat

What are some tips and tricks for brush cleanup with oil based products. I was using a brush to apply oil based poly on my recent first project. Between coats I would soak in mineral spirits and not allow to dry. I found when it dried completely it got brittle. Letting it soak seemed to work and I would towel dry the brush before using it again. The brush stayed good during the project but when finished I allowed it to dry and it eventually became a little brittle and hard. I tried cleaning it with mineral spirits before allowing it to dry but I guess I didn't get it all.

Next time i want to use the brush should I just soak it in mineral sprits for a few hours to loosen it back up? I am trying to care for them properly so they last.

Thoughts, suggestions?

Steve

cabinetman

For oil base finishes I use several baths of mineral spirits going to a cleaner solution each time. When the brush is as clean as it gets, I'll brush it dry on a clean towel, and smooth out the bristles. When it gets used the next time if it slightly stiff, re-emerse in clean mineral spirits, and dry on a towel and then use.

audiokat

By cleaner solution you mean new unused mineral sprits correct?

So far that all sounds just about like what I'm doing.

Thanks for the advise.

Steve

cabinetman

Yes, a clean solution.

firehawkmph

Audio,
Are you using good quality china bristle brushes? I clean mine with mineral spirits as mentioned above. Keep cleaning till nothing but clear comes out when you bend the bristles. Get yourself a brush spinner (buy the metal one, the plastic break) and do a final couple of spins and smooth the bristles to the original shape and put it back in the original container to dry. If you threw that out, fold a paper towel in half to double it up and wrap the brush in it so the bristles are supported in the original shape and put a rubber band around it or a piece of tape to keep it in place. I have some brushes that are 30 years old and still in good shape. Wooster brush makes a good brush. Sherwin williams carries them along with another top brand and their own line. They normally are 20-33.00 a piece, but they normally always have a couple on sale at any given time. You can also use the foam throwaways if you don't want to clean the brushes. Good Luck,
Mike Hawkins

Gerry KIERNAN

Hi Steve

One of the tricks I picked up along the way is that if I am going to use the brush again, fairly soon, with the same finish, is to place the brush in a ziplok bag and put it into the freezer. Next time you need it just let it thaw out and warm up and then use it. You can do this repeatedly for as long as you are needing it. Eventually the finish may start to crystalize in the brush, so then I soak it in some lacquer thinner to remove the old finish. Lacquer thinner may melt the glue holding the bristles on some cheap brushes, so that you have to watch out for. Lacquer thinner should remove even moderately hardened oil based finish.

Gerry

jerry

Follow cabinetmans procedure and when you are finished wash with dishwashing liquid detergent and rinse well before drying. An old pro painter showed me how to clean a paint brush over forty years ago and it still works just as well today.

Regards

Jerry