How To Clean A 'Lifetime' Paintbrush

Is it possible to purchase one paintbrush, and be able to use it hundreds of times? You betcha! If you clean it with the simple system I show in this video you can have a "lifetime" paintbrush.

As mentioned in this video, here is the first YouTube video of my home addition project from 2018...

[peterbrault]

That was water base paint.What about semi gloss enamel?

[GFD]

You'll never forget your first Purdy paint it pays to take care of them.
Great tips!

[graebeard]

For water based paints, I soak my hard dried brushes (somebody forgot to clean them) and soaked them in hot water and laundry detergent for a day or so. Then I cleaned them with a paintbrush comb. Works well

[kaloncar]

Probably not going to use the wife's kitchen sink and vegetable brush, but I do appreciate the lesson. 🙂

[marvinostman]

Really enjoyed your video. It made me remember something from childhood (now 66) that my Dad taught me. It's like you say never loan your paint brush. My Dad had a big old black handled paint brush that he got from his Dad who he said had it as far back as he can remember. I think he said Grandpa used to paint barns. It still looked like new and was like "the hot stove" never touch it! He also passed on the same things you showed about cleaning brushes and roller covers. I've added some habits of my own like after you have cleaned it let it set until it is just barely damp then put it back in cover it came in help to keep the shape.
Something I found that work good for reviving neglected brushes is to let hem sit overnight in water and "dishwasher" detergent. I like the powdered the best. I take a plastic container the brush will fit in and use a clamp or if it will fit the brush a clip clothes pin and suspend it so the Ferrell is just above the water. A couple of drops of Dawn dish soap helps too. Dawn was used to clean animals after oil spills not because it was "so gentle" but has one of the highest disalates which cut the oil but the animals were washed off right away it didn't harm them. I had seen a video about soaking hardware in dishwasher soap to remove old paint. Soak it overnight and the paint come off pretty easy.
Thank you for sharing the knowledge. I like that you don't make it sound like "you" thought it all up. Some you probably have and rightfully should take credit for. One of the best pieces of wisdom my Dad shared with me when I was very young was "keep you mouth shut and your eyes and ears open especially around more mature people." I have done that and showed them respect and in turn received their respect to where the felt willing to share their treasure of knowledge.

[deankay]

Nice brush cleaning tips. Just great. Word for powder room. Place a 2 X 6" inset into the studs, measure it, take pictures and install a grab bar in front of the throne at a slight angle. Planning ahead it will help as we age plus if screwing into structure behind the tiled wall, you will find it extremely helpful as time passes. Plus, changing door handles? Use the lever type that open with an elbow. You will find useful in a number of years! Thanks for the info!

[michaelmcginty]

Pro tip: Always use cold water on latex paint, Hot water will cause the paint to set up on the brush while you clean it and make it harder to clean. Thanks for the video, good job.

[MRCRUZER]

Rest in Peace Uncle BOB. Thanks for the videos😪

[johnhunter]

Great video! I'm a painting contractor. I have brushes that are still in use that I bought over thirty years ago. I always wash immediately with dish detergent and warm water and rinse and repeat until the water flows through the bristles clear. I will even rinse brushes multiple times during the day to keep the paint from hardening on the bristles. Also, try to keep paint from getting up near the ferrule.

[sameoldmphymel]

Those were good tips one thing I would point out is I return it to that plastic sleeve that it comes in to help it keep it shape so it doesn't puff out

[dustman]

Pretty much exactly how I clean my brushes, good to know I'm doing it right! I don't use soap though. A trick I learned is to get fresh paint on the dried paint before you clean it, helps soften the dried paint.

[dawnschumann]

Just as I've always cleaned my brushes. Glad to see you teaching this. Had a good teacher myself.

[cheeseheadfiddle]

Also when I’m painting exterior and I have my modest electric pressure washer set up, cleans a brush very thoroughly in about 20 seconds. Careful to use the water blast with the direction of the bristles just as you would with a wire brush or comb.

[elizabethjohnson]

Hi, Herrick and Marlene: Here on Johnson mountain, my husband's been still working full-time in construction, now 66 yrs old, and on Saturdays works on our "guest house" half way down the mountain. We call that location Bucket Hill. The house is about 900 sq. ft., pretty small, but fine for a rental. In this area will make $1500/month. It's an ongoing project of two years, kinda like your new construction, Herrick. It takes a while when it's not done full-time. Sounds like a friend in Idaho who's been building his log cabin, (log diameter of 18") for at least 3 years. It's been weathered-in for a couple years. He has to work full-time as well, age 64, in his business of construction. It just takes time for good things! Thanks for a great video!

[victormarinelli]

I use liquid dish soap and gently rub the bristles together near the ferrule. Then I'll grab all the bristles and move then in a circular motion around the ferrule. This breaks up the paint that is under the ferrule, that you don't see. I have brushes that are 40+ years old. They don't look new, but they also don't have any paint on or in them. The key comments that Herrick made was to wash your brush periodically and don't let it sit. If you need to stop painting for more than a few minutes, wash your brush.

[rajanne]

We just buy a new brush, they're quite cheap here, we try to use the brush and finish painting in 1 sitting, if possible, keep the brush inside the paint tin, stirring the paint with a stick now & then, adding the thinner as needed to make up for evaporation as you paint, and throw away the brush. I usually buy the cheapest brush. For delicate painting works you can't adopt this attitude you need a costlier fine brush and can clean it like you showed! My way saves a lot of time! Love from India!

[burtan]

I just watched four different videos on How to Clean Your Paint Brushes! They mostly said the same thing.
HOWEVER, the This Old House expert wants us to treat those bristles nice. VERY gentle. No WIRE brush. SOMETIMES when it's absolutely needed, use a paint brush comb, with metal teeth. But he said only soft bristles for brushing those paint brush bristles.
I've been doing so much wrong. I'm gonna buy some new ones - some of the $20 brushes - and treat them right.

[cheetoman]

If your lifetime brush that has painted thousands of square feet and couldn't possibly be replaced in your heart has for any reason or another become a stiff hard mess of paint, you can soak it in acetone for an hour or so and the paint (latex/acrylic based) will be soft and removable. Also, make a special tool for cleaning deeply with thin but stiff nails. I hammer wire or trim nails through a thin piece of scrap (predrilled) and sharpen the ends of them with a file. It digs in really well, much better than nylon or steel wire brush.

[freddysflyz]

Thanks for sharing this! I buy great brushes so I agree but using the plastic and brass bristle brushes is a super idea and new to me! I'll be adding them to my painting tool arsenal!

[charleywalker]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge and keep your videos coming please.