HOW TO CLEAN A PAINT BRUSH - Oil Based

I call this the 1/8 Inch Method: This technique is simple and easy for cleaning brushes used with oil based paint or oil based finishes, such as Waterlox. It will save you money by using less paint thinner and save you money by making your brushes last longer. And it is good for all of us because fewer VOC's are being released.

[AskWoodMan]

When I hear from someone that one of my videos has saved them time and money, it means a lot. Thanks for writing. Keep in touch. Allan

[BrianSapp]

This is by far the best video that I've seen. I just want to say AskWoodMan that your video just saved me $137.94. I was to throw away 6 purdy paint brushes (4' and 2.5") because I painted someone's porch who bought oil based paint in lieu of latex. He thought it was latex after the fact. I had a hard time trying to get the oil paint off my brushes and I was about to trash all six until I found your video by chance. Thanks man. This is an awesome video with easy to learn steps. I followed your instructions and my brushes are 100% in excellent condition. In my experience, I guess it was a lesson to be learned.

[aselin]

I found this after trying to use the same advice for oil based paint that I used for latex paint to clean my brush. I followed your advice, and got my Mom's old brushes clean in 7/8 of an inch after using high gloss BLACK paint. I am so happy. My parents are both gone now, and I want to use their things as long as I can, since it's all still good. Thanks for posting this!

[AskWoodMan]

You will not flinch when buying a good brush now knowing it will last and last. $15 for a brush that will last for hundreds of uses will now seem like a real value. I am glad you found some useful info here, and for taking the time to write. It means a lot. Allan

[Ccacolaholic]

This was exactly what I was looking for, as I had never worked with oil-based paint until yesterday. The demonstration and explanation of technique were so helpful, and your clear speech / speaking pace allowed me to absorb all of the info presented. Thanks for mentioning safety and environment too - I consider this video a wealth of information!

[rebeccadickinson]

I like that you're educating people on using less - saves money and the environment!

[mrsillywalk]

Another thing worth doing is collecting the thinner in a glass jar and after the solids settle out decant to a fresh container. Washing the brush at the end with soap and water and then a little conditioner is also a good restorative for pure bristle.

[thomasnix]

Thanks for the video. I'm about to paint several pull behind auto trailers and bought 3 gal of gloss black oil based enamel. You being a painter yourself and showing the steps involved in a proper cleaning, is very helpful. Excellent presentation and you went at a pace everyone could follow. Thanks also for not using any foul language, as my youngsters can also enjoy presentations like you gave today. This is not an adult channel and YouTube should reject any videos from these nasty mouthed video creators. Thanks Again.

[AskWoodMan]

That is such an excellent suggestion and point. I am going to do that tomorrow because the first several rinses could definitely be done with used thinner. And the solids settle to the bottom so as long as it is carefully pored and not shaken up, almost none of the old solids come out when pored. Thanks for taking the time to make this observation. Allan

[billr]

Following your suggestions, I rescued 2 Purdy brushes...THANK YOU!!

[forreal]

EXCELLENT, helpful advice. I really appreciate finding a "pro" who knows how to clean an expensive Purdy!

[suziequeue]

I absolutely LOVE the focus on the environment. I have been uneasy about throwing used white spirit away in the past and now I can recover it. Thankyou

[DaniPrays]

Your video has saved me time and money : )

[JarradDRS]

Thank you for this video. My days of wasting thinner are over!

[tjo]

Good stuff, man. I was really wasting a lot of mineral spirits, and brushes, and feeling badly about the evaporation of all those chemicals. Was looking for a better way, and I'm glad I came upon this video. Much appreciated.

[mcsmama]

EXCELLENT!! Thank you SOOooo much!!! I am having my first ever experience with prepping & painting my exterior window trim & bought crappy Dollar Store brushes so I could throw them out instead of dealing with clean up; I am sure you can imagine I am more than paying the price in frustration & the crappy job I have been producing. I always have a lot questions for any project I'm going to take on & I find that people get annoyed with my need to understand detail, so will decide I'm too anal rather than answer me. I DO consider frugality, the environment, & the fact that when I invest in a tool that I love using, I want to still have it available to use repeatedly. You have addressed EVERYTHING for me!! Thank you, thank you, thank you! I will be checking out more of your videos! :D

[steveobrien]

This is really cool. I wanted to find out how to take care of a brush with oil based paint and not have a lot of used, toxic liquids left over. I will try this and not be so averse to it. You call your approach "miserly" but it is actually quite thoughtful and I appreciate the knowledge and care. Thank you!

[dawin]

I tried this procedure and worked perfectly. a few months later I had somewhat forgotten the sequence of action and it didn't work, my bush was skicky. I came back to this clip and refreshed my memory and corrected my error and it work again. My point is that this procedure is pure gold. and it works. You need to pay attention to the details and you'd be happy you did. Many thanks to Allan for this useful informative video.

[AlWheelin]

This is an important video, thanks for sharing this information that seems impossible to find anywhere. I think you should be sponsored by one of the finishing companies and have a link to this video. To me if I spend a bunch of money on a good quality brush and/or a good quality finish, the websites for those companies should have information like this video rather than just a few written instructions. I like the fact that I can use very little at a time to clean the brush, I have even adapted this reduced cleaner use with water as well. Rather than running the water the whole time, I just fill a container, rinse the brush and dump, and redo till brush is clean.

[mikebetts]

I use a similar method for cleaning brushes after painting with alkyd enamel.  I put the dirty thinner in a jar and let the paint settle.  Then I carefully pour the clean thinner back off the top into a clean jar.  Ready to use again.  I allow the leftover paint from the dirty jar to harden and then I throw it away.With my method of reclaiming, I might buy one gallon of mineral spirits every other year or so.  Very little used or wasted.