About Wall Decor's Decorating Tips & Tricks

     You've invested in an expensive, good quality paint brush and have now completed your job.  The next step is to properly clean and store your brush so it will last for years to come.  Depending upon the type of paint used follow these steps to clean and maintain you paint brush:

Latex Paint Cleanup

     You will need a few items to properly clean your brush.  The first will be a clean empty pail or tray and the second is a brush comb or painter's comb (like the one pictured below).

     Once completed painting use these steps to clean and maintain your brush:

1. Fill you pail or tray about half full with warm, soapy water.
2. Dip the brush into the water and work the water and soap through the bristles with your fingers.
3. Using a hose or running water from a faucet rinse the soap and paint from the brush.
4. If some of the paint has already dried utilize the painter's comb to remove it.
5. Continue following steps 2 and three until the water runs clear during rinse.
6. You will also need to turn the brush upside down to run water through the bristles at the ferrel until it runs clean.
7. Once completely rinsed use the comb to comb the bristles.
8. Hang the brush using the hole in the handle to dry.
9. Once dried, place the brush back in it;s original cover or holder for storage.
10. Always store a paint brush by hanging it.  Never store it laying down or on its side.

Oil-Based Paint Cleanup

      As with latex based paints above, you will require the same tools then to follow these steps:

1. If you used and oil-based paint, varnish or stain you will need to fill the pail or tray with a solvent cleaner such as mineral spirits or paint thinner.  If you painted with a shellac you will require a denatured alcohol cleaner.  Fill your pail or tray about halfway with the appropriate cleaner.
2. Dip the brush into the cleaner and have the bottom of the brush hit against the bottom if your pail/tray, but do not jamb the brush into the base hard as you will curl the bristles.  Just ensure it is hitting the bottom enough to assist in removing the paint from the bristles.
3. Using a hose or running water from a faucet rinse the soap and paint from the brush.
4. If some of the paint has already dried utilize the painter's comb to remove it.
5. Continue following steps 2 and three until the water runs clear during rinse.
6. You will also need to turn the brush upside down to run water through the bristles at the ferrel until it runs clean.
7. Once completely rinsed use the comb to comb the bristles.
8. Hang the brush using the hole in the handle to dry.
9. Once dried, place the brush back in it;s original cover or holder for storage.
10. Always store a paint brush by hanging it.  Never store it laying down or on its side.