How to clean paint brushes
Scrape the walls 01:51

Part 1 How to prepare walls for painting Good preparation is the key to any painting project. We’ll show you a few of the basic steps involved in preparing a wall for painting to make the job much easier.

Person mixing the paint in a bucket 02:35

Part 2 How to paint Preparation is the key to successfully painting a room. We’ll show you all the things you need to do before you get started.

Store your clean paint brush 02:21

Part 3 How to clean paint brushes You can save a lot on paint projects just by looking after your brushes. We’ll show you how to clean your brushes to get the most out of them.

Use a brush to spread the paint stripper evenly 01:52

Part 4 How to remove paint You’ve always got a few reasons around the house to remove paint. This video will show you a few simple ways to do it.

Part 3 out of 4
How to paint

How to clean paint brushes

Janine
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Project Overview

Knowing how to clean your paint brushes keeps them in good condition so they are ready to go next time you need them. We’ll show you some quick and easy tips to clean brushes after using any kind of paint.

Continue to step-by-step instructions
This D.I.Y. Advice is part of a series How to paint

Step by Step Instructions

1 How to remove acrylic paint from your brush
2 How to clean acrylic paint off a roller
3 How to clean oil-based paint off your brush
4 How to clean dried paint off your brush
5 How to store your clean paint brushes

  • Step 1. How to remove acrylic paint from your brush

    Put some water in a bucket and soak your brush in it for a few minutes. Then stir the in brush in the water and wipe it against the side of the bucket several times. Repeat this until your brush is clean.
    Previous Step Next Step
    Remove acrylic paint from the brush

  • Step 2. How to clean acrylic paint off a roller

    Attach the roller cleaner to the garden hose and insert the roller into the tube. Hold the roller tube over a bucket, to stop paint going into the ground, and turn on the hose. When the water starts running clear, your roller is clean. Take it out of the roller cleaner, then remove the roller from its frame and stand it on its end to dry. If you lie it down it will crush the fibres and create an uneven roll the next time you use it.

    Previous Step Next Step
    Man cleaning acrylic paint of the roller

  • Step 3. How to clean oil-based paint off your brush

    Before cleaning oil-based paint off your brush, put on your dust mask and safety glasses, to protect you from the fumes. Pour some turpentine into a bucket and soak your brush in it for several minutes. Swirl the brush around and wipe it against the side of the bucket until it’s clean. Then wipe it dry on a rag. 

    Previous Step Next Step
    Clean oil-based paint off the brush

  • Step 4. How to clean dried paint off your brush

    Removing water-based paint from your brush is easy if you do it right after you finish painting. Otherwise to remove dried paint from a brush, whether its enamel, lacquer, oil or water-based, use paintbrush restorer. Put on your gloves, safety glasses and dust mask, then pour the paint brush restorer into a metal bucket. Soak your brush in it, until it looks clean. Then use a wire brush to remove any excess dried paint. 

    Previous Step Next Step
    Clean dried paint off the brush

  • Step 5. How to store your clean paint brushes

    If you have the original packaging, it’s a good idea to put the brush back in it before storing it away. You can also or store it in a jar, with the brush end facing out and handle-side down. Or hang it on a hook to keep the fibres straight.
    Previous Step Next Step
    Store your clean paint brush

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