How To Clean Dried Out Paint Brushes | Ask This Old House

[@soular412]

I just turned 35 and suddenly care about proper paint brush care can't wait to see what's in store for my 40s

[@somethingtellsme13]

😆

[@roberte.6892]

Grass, brother. Take it from a guy who's just passed the apex of the hill. Up until 3 years ago, it was all about getting laid. Now it's all about growing the perfect lawn.

[@notchamama7571]

Right? I was today old before I figured it out, and im creeping up on half a century! In it to win it now!

[@johnconnolly5117]

Sign you are getting older - watching The weather channel, Fox or some conservative News and checking air in my tires!

[@GreatDivideSven]

Wow do you blog? I'd come along for the ride

[@kenhoyer8601]

I painted for 45 years. Some brush tips- If your using the brush with the same paint, you can wrap the brush in tinfoil so it doesn't dry out when not in use, even overnight. You take off the foil and and it's ready to go and keeps it's shape. The more you clean the brush, the quicker it wears out. Also get yourself a brush spinner instead of using your hands to spin out the excess when cleaning.

[@kathymieczkowski4981]

I always clean my brushes after every job! There's nothing like having to throw away a good paint brush...thank you for this video!

[@jeremiahrex]

Mauro is one of my favorites. Painting has always seemed very mystical to me and these videos help a lot.

[@briarz101]

Well done. Expensive, quality brushes are worth reviving . I've used similar steps and got close but now I get what I did wrong. Thanks much! Great tip as always

[@jeremyd6775]

Lol I love the relationship Kevin has with each guy. Tommy and Kevin is like grandpa and grandson while Mauro and Kevin like a guy dealing with his son-in-law

[@Nobodycares1993]

😂

[@JonnyDIY]

Lol I've been using one of my old broken wide tooth combs for years as my Paint comb. People call me crazy when they see me combing my brushes 😄👍

[@TennisGvy]

I love every painting video Maro is in. Didn't think I'd ever care about brush cleaning lol

[@Andrew1224gd]

If you going to reuse it soon Wrap it airtight in a plastic and it won’t dry up

[@kathymieczkowski4981]

And I've heard that placing the bagged paint brush in the fridge overnight works too. Never done it and wondering if it works.

[@Andrew1224gd]

@@kathymieczkowski4981 that contiminate your food in the fridge

[@kathymieczkowski4981]

@@Andrew1224gd Yeah that just didn't fit right with me either...paint in fridge even inside baggy.

[@sparkyheberling6115]

@@kathymieczkowski4981 yes, it does work! I reuse clear produce bags from the grocery store. There is a trick to bagging the brush neatly: Turn the bag inside-out and put it on your hand like a glove. Use your bagged hand to grab the brush at the bristle end. Still holding onto the bag and brush, pull the bag off your hand and over the brush. Secure the bag around the handle. (Of course, if you have a dog, you are already familiar with this bagging technique!) The bag will be rightside-out when you are done. You want that, so that none of the printing on the bag touches the paint. I mostly use latex/acrylic paint, and the paintbrushes are still wet the next day. The water hasn’t evaporated through the plastic, so I am not worried about anything else getting through and contaminating the food in the fridge.

[@kathymieczkowski4981]

@@sparkyheberling6115 I didn't even think of the idea or that the print from the baggie could wear off onto the brush bristles!

[@mommyharris1111]

You can wrap the brush in foil and put it in the refrigerator. You can use the brush for a new project without having to wash it out.

[@ecospider5]

Great time saver if you are painting with the same color over a couple weeks.

[@dirtyhairy8884]

I also have a "friend" who doesn't take care of his paint brushes.🖌😉 Great tip gents, thanks!

[@Guardducks]

I have a friend who doesn't take care of his tools. Sad

[@Pallidus_Rider]

I will occasionally clean brush when using them - especially on a hot day outside doing trim work. I'll also stick brush in quart size bucket with water while on break

[@psychosquirrel555]

A strong solution of laundry powder and hot water overnight will soften dried paint and I do this at the end of every project to keep brushes tip top.. It took a week but I revived an extremely loaded, decade old, brush using this solution.

[@kathymieczkowski4981]

If Dawn dish liquid helps to dissolve grease, then maybe it'd help with dried paint! Idea? Possibly!

[@philipmorris57]

Just buy some proper brush restorer, Rustins do one, cheaper than most decent brushes and get with the program, you bore 😴 😂❤

[@ecospider5]

This is a great idea since I already have that in the house. I hate buying something I know will just sit on the shelf 3/4 full for decades

[@LonghornWorkshop]

Kevin proceeds to dip the whole brush in the water….🤣

[@davedamerjian6035]

I have tried murphys oil soap and the vinegar approach, while they have SOME success, if you really want to get the thousands of broken down latex specks out of the brush, then a chemical brush cleaner as they suggest is the way to go. I use Klean Strip Brush cleaner comes in a can the size that they show but also a large can which is more economical (it doesnt go bad over time). The chemical actually separates out into two layers so its important to shake it each time before using it so that you keep the correct ratio in the can itself. It will likely take a few "passes" if your brush is really doused in dried paint (likely if you forgot it somewhere lol). Another trick is to reuse the used chemical AFTER filtering out all the debris that is removed by pouring it thru a piece of cloth (or other filterous material) into a jar - then you can re-use that chemical as a starting point for your next bad brush in its first pass - make the most of what you purchase. But yeah this stuff really does work.

[@joeymcguire8742]

This was surprisingly interesting! Keep Mauro around! I really like him!

[@abdulelkhatib2674]

If you are going to reuse the brush with the same type of paint like for the next day. Wet and squeeze some paper towels, and wrap the brush. Then put put in the fridge or freezer.

[@mdlinny]

Another most informative and enjoyable video. The interaction between Kevin and your experts can't be beat.

[@laukiami]

As a painter, from my experience - we try to take care of our brushes and rollers all the time.. But the only thing is worth to do - wash everything out with water after every day you use it... Using chemicals, is no go... - because it is basically the same to buy a new brush or buy some chemicals... and buy buying new brush you will save a lot of your own time....

[@harleyjanson3007]

A quick way to get the brush dry. Hook the end of a bungie cord thru the handle, take it outside away from everything and spin it overhead like a lasso. The centrifugal force takes the water out and the airflow pretty much dries it.

[@cdel9829]

The most important part is to put it back in the package for storage.

[@nelsonbrum8496]

Amazing how many people toss out the packaging.. They didn't go through all the expense of putting velcro on the package just to have it thrown away...

[@ecospider5]

But then the package dries to the old paint. Wait, maybe you’re saying clean them and then put them back in their packaging. Novel idea. :)

[@Stranz28]

I collected any comb, those freebies from airlines & hotel, to use for cleaning my paint brushes. It helps to remove hard to get clumps that still hidden inside a thick paint brush. Sometimes I use the comb for my hair too, just a bit smell of the paint thinner makes women crazy about my handy man skill & manhood too!🤪😝😜

[@kathymieczkowski4981]

Great idea!

[@gregpeterson6161]

I use turpentine on my ball sac

[@robsierra5189]

I've used a stiff nylon brush and it works great.

[@jimbohnenkamp5082]

The gracious host of this video asks good questions.

[@mpmarvin999]

Just ran across this video. My brushes made "Kevin's friend" brush look like it just came off the store shelf. Followed these directions and this worked like a charm. Tested two, now doing the other four. Quick question, is ok to cut stray unruly bristles?

[@ranat5526]

'Waller, where u from'? Somewhere down south, Classic!

[@JM-ql4ok]

The Amazon link takes you to paint thinner which isn't the same thing. I got this stuff at my local hardware store for about $10. Gonna try it this week.

[@jfrancis2768]

Kevin is happy hes got gloves on, well as ive always said no glove no love

[@victoryismyne4794]

You saved my $20.00 brush from the Wire-Brush! - 👍🏼

[@karenmoyer586]

I have soaked in a solution of Murphy's Oil Soap and water and it has worked great. I now have the problem of it actually being in the ferrule and it's stuck...stuck...stuck....now what? I think generally a lot of people have the same issue, dried up in the ferrule.

[@geraldineheywood1728]

I'd wear safety glasses just in case of splatters. 🤓

[@dhenschel4]

Ah, that's why he was being so gingerly with the process...

[@jukeboxhero8137]

Paint in the eye is probably not a good feeling 😂

[@Mx6xt_]

Don’t stop there, go for the full body suit!

[@scottl3439]

I realize that because you so prominently displayed the can they probably paid you for it, but.....a likely (because I didn't look up the cost of the can) cheaper , just as effective and more environmentally friendly solution is to use vinegar. If you can find it multi-purpose or 'cleaning' vinegar (6% acidity), but plain white vinegar works too with a longer soak. If you used acrylic paints as opposed to latex douse it in hand sanitizer gel and wrap it in plastic wrap for 24 hours.

[@bettymaverick1098]

Seems like more cost and work than I would want. At that point it is easier to purchase a new brush. Time is money.

[@cheliospanama9786]

Thanks

[@jpperry2117]

Kevin covering the KleanStrip logo like a pro.

[@Katwoman4318]

Thank you for this one. Much appreciated.

[@saadzeb8055]

Common paint remover is use to takr away harden paint from brush thats it. Immerse it in paint remover. Take a pepsi plastic bottle cut from the tip and pour chemical then immerse bursh for 20 minutes

[@shesgringa]

How would you dispose of the chemicals used to clean the brush?

[@toolteardown1]

Brushing the paint off the outside of a paint brush has never been an issue….its the paint deep at the base of the bristles that causes the stiffness…looks like they dipped the brush in paint and let it dry then cleaned the outside.😢

[@ecospider5]

Yes if you get paint inside the metal area the brush will never be a quality brush again.

[@nelsonbrum8496]

So now it's clean, how do you store it? Pretty important part to leave out...

[@JonnyDIY]

Dry it and put back in the lil sheath cover it comes with👍

[@charlesfrandolig5090]

See how they display them in the store? See the hole in the handle? Get a section of peg board mount it in your garage or utility room and use the various hangers that are made for the peg board, they just clip in , then proceed to hang your brushes, they will be head down, they will drain and dry rather quickly. If they get dusty just wash them in liquid dish soap and warm water. If you spent 30dollars on a paint brush , you want to display it right? Those cardboard wrapper things, are not good for storage, especially if the brushes are damp. Mildew will set in. Treat those nifty little cardboard wrappers as you would a condom and throw both in the trash. Thats where they belong anyway. Try taking a shower with a raincoat on, Brushes fair better in an arid environment. Other tools are better suited to moist environments. I hope you store all of your tools properly.

[@nelsonbrum8496]

@@JonnyDIY This is the correct answer. Don't toss out the packaging.

[@DavidMccallister65]

​@@charlesfrandolig5090 wait so you don't reuse your condoms??? Bro recycling rubber is one of the best ways to protect the environment. 😅

[@mts7274]

Is it the same as paint thinner?

[@ramunesoda73395]

come to think about it, I have not seen This Old House do an episode on installing fire sprinklers...

[@calartian85]

So what’s the alternative to “paint brush cleaner”? Acetone? Thinner? Kerosene?

[@Heraclitean]

Never expect an actually comprehensive instructional video from TOH.

[@kamogeloreggie1946]

I live in South africa and we don't have brush cleaner we have some weird products which don't assist so what would you suggest.

[@Mrs.Silversmith]

And today is the day I learned that brush combs are a thing.

[@WisconsinWanderer]

Thanks great video

[@nnamerz]

What happens if water gets under the ferrule?

[@eagle2D2]

You can use Murphys Oil soap too.

[@josephnorcalusa1710]

Helpful information, thank you !!

[@fasst5511]

I saw a video where they used Murphy's Oil Soap to do the same thing but I think they soaked it overnight.

[@TheChupacabra]

What about chemical disposal? Keep for reuse? Leave to evaporate? Take to specialty waste center? What am I getting into with this stuff, that our favorite painter fears.

[@applejaz]

Exactly what I was thinking!

[@tzebra]

que paso from tejas mario. without using chemicals, what do you use to clean the brush after using oil base paints?

[@danmc2678]

Paint thinner.

[@sekekamawow5386]

I always use a wire brush on my purdys… never had a problem? It doesn’t damage them lol

[@JonnyDIY]

Lol me too, for years. Never had an issue

[@lanamolczyk5139]

Kitchen brillo pads (the silver kind) has worked great for me

[@DavidMccallister65]

That's what I've always been told and what I've always done also🤷‍♂️ I understand only going in a downward motion but I don't see a problem with it. Works great.

[@sharonfairchild8739]

It is an unusual event when I post to a video, but I simply could not resist this opportunity to poke holes in this presentation and to make a few suggestions. First, I live in Phoenix, Arizona. I painted my very small house several years ago using paint brushes only. I rinsed the brushes out and used a comb (a regular hair comb) to further clean the brushes. I violated all the rules and turned the brush upside down and turned the hose and aimed it directly at the ferrule. Brushes seem to be okay, several years later (Purdy brushes). Since then, more information has become available. A "hack" to try to prevent paint from getting into the ferrule while painting - taping the metal part of the ferrule and have the painters tape overlap into the bristles about a quarter of an inch or so. I will find out if this really works in the coming days because I am going to repaint my house again - with a paint brush. That is all my body will handle. Found a hack using painters tape to make a pouring spout which makes pouring paint from a one gallon can into smaller containers much easier and cleaner. No mess. As for the brushes, I have not been able to find a suitable answer to how often I should wash out my brushes while painting in 80 to 90 degree weather in Phoenix. One hour, three hours? I really do not believe there is a way to keep paint out of the ferrule after using a brush for an hour or more, even trying not to dip the brush more than two inches into the container. Someone needs to be transparent about this matter because I do not think that everyday people like myself are going to be able to avoid getting paint into the ferrule. Someone needs to have a solution for cleaning out the ferrule. Anyway, it will be interesting to see if wrapping painters tape around the brush ferrule really keeps the paint out. I wash my brushes in the back yard by washing them in a half gallon plastic paint container, rinsing them down, shaking the paint / water out and finishing with a regular hair comb. When they are "dry" I will store them in their original container, which is a light weight cardboard. I hang them with the bristles pointed downward. I also found a hack for getting excess paint off the brush after dipping it - wrap a rubber band around the middle of the container. That way, the excess paint falls back into the paint can / container. It took awhile to find all the relevant information, but I think my painting experience will be better this time around. Maybe you can make an addendum video about paint brush maintenance which is a little more realistic and also throw in some additional hacks for everyday people like myself. Thanks for listening.

[@tgreen6205]

You can buy paint conditioner/extender like flood floetrol (latex/water based) or flood penetrol (oil based) paint additives and with gloves on- rub alittle bit into the bristles at the ferrule with your fingers and massage it through them maybe a 1/2 -1 inch down.. it will help keep the paint from drying in there so quickly. And it doesn’t affect the final result/finish of the paint project

[@Cassiopea456]

Gosh the guy with the red hair is a dead ringer for actor Van Johnson Lol Stunning! Maybe a relative?😊

[@runs3492]

Great job 👏

[@lanamolczyk5139]

Show me brush cleaning for polyurthane. I think I have it clean and then it is stiff as can be when it is dried. Drives me crazy.

[@_jovian]

so is that just rebranded lacquer thinner?

[@zzing]

Can't find a product by that name up in Canada.

[@sergioseidi1731]

It is basically just paint thinner, you can also mineral spirits or acetone depending of the type of paint.

[@byohzzrd]

SDS says it's acetone and Butyl acetate in a "propriety combination". It's getting harder to find this side of the border as well, shipping regulations and such.

[@marty9660]

lacquer thinner the best thing to clean a brush. then simple green then cool water

[@sparkyheberling6115]

@@byohzzrd What company makes it? Different products have different formulations, so I want to buy what they TOH uses.

[@sparkyheberling6115]

Can anybody tell what brand of paintbrush cleaner they are using?

[@DWRead-ms8wi]

Looks like "Crown CL.LVBR.M.64 Low Voc Brush Cleaner"

[@jd415]

He is the brush whisperer

[@ditlab2345]

Where are you from? Somewhere down south. 😂😂😂

[@ThreePhaseHigh]

The method shown here will work. However, if you have a lawnmower in your garage, you probably have a can of solution that will work much better much faster much easier.

[@DavidMccallister65]

Gas? 🤔

[@cypeman8037]

Leave soaking in laundry detergent until you get around to cleaning in clean water.

[@21gonza21]

Can you use paint thinner?

[@danmc2678]

Only on oil based paint.

[@DyLemmaOG]

lol you probably spent more on those chemicals and brushes to clean it when you could just buy a new brush.

[@treneiceedward]

Thanks! You saved me 5 minutes. 😅😅😅

[@brettbarager9101]

Yup . . .

[@officialdirtmcgurt]

A $4 pint to fix a $28 brush?

[@johnduffy6546]

the point of the matter is, take care of you stuff.

[@Huamaru]

What chemical is the "brush cleaner"?

[@rucksacks]

I ship Mauro and Kevin

[@knightrider40]

Man I love toh!

[@allans7281]

OK but what is the proper way to discard the water

[@javiergalvan242]

Great tip guys!!!! Keep the video's coming 👍

[@inspectorsteve2287]

I actually would like to know the proper way to get rid of paint. My local home store doesn't dispose of paint. I heard mix it with cat litter and just throw it away but I'm not sure.

[@kellynewman862]

The litter does soak it up pretty good

[@theodorerzepski8491]

Many towns have recycle centers where paint can be deposited.

[@2aminitials]

If you don't have a lot and can't recycle / give it away dump the paint on a sheet of cardboard, let it dry, then throw it away.

[@inspectorsteve2287]

@@theodorerzepski8491 I will check around. Thanks.

[@DyLemmaOG]

Never put it down the toilet/sink/bath drains, it will clog the pipes and cost you nightmares and thousands in repair

[@ericharrison5724]

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[@nataliewatson3501]

This is the kind of information that we don’t get from most youtubers..

[@carminerosato7150]

I Was able to see that he is a registered trader, cause to be sincere I don't believe anything I see online but I'm definitely shocked that he is real. How do I get connected into this system?

[@carminerosato7150]

@Novlett K. Thank you for the info, I can comfortably invest without the fear of losing, I’m placing my trades with Expert Richard Emerson right away.

[@anitabaker2339]

This needful but beginners shouldn't settle for videos alone, deep thoughts of life is not shared or made available to everyone. I am so happy for taking the bold step in working and investing $2000 with him after a week I received $9,300 to my bank.

[@Samantha-yh9hh]

Wow! He must be really good . With the validation of BITCOIN in El Salvador as a legal tender and also recognition by the Australian Taxation office as an asset for capital gain tax, some other countries may adopt similar usage . Investing is a necessity for me .

[@albertwesker2050]

I clean mine for almost 20 minutes and it still gets hard like this, why?

[@midtwilightblue]

Okay so what about water based?

[@Cinderella121]

Somewhere down south lol

[@dagossYT]

What are you supposed to do with the brush cleaner stuff? Just dumping it down the drain seems wrong.

[@user-yg5ou4sd1x]

GOOD

[@Cypher791]

And just beat the devil out of it…. 🎨😊

[@briandjuli]

and put it back into the sleeve the brush came with

[@jdorffer]

Use cold water on brush

[@kathymieczkowski4981]

What does cold water do for a brush when cleaning it as opposed to warm or hot water? Curious...

[@jdorffer]

@@kathymieczkowski4981 warm and hot water spread out brisles and destroy brush

[@rey4466]

I use gasoline. But mine looks worse than those and a full of rust.

[@fireblaster9961]

So that’s how you do it

[@andretait2817]

Why to clean dried out paint brushes?

[@elconquistador98]

BOGUS The cleaner will indeed get all the gunk from the brush, but it ruins the bristles, making them weak and flimsy.

[@JennyChen-o4v]

how about a brush after using wood hardner?😂

[@realestateservicessaleshea99]

😕

[@jonathanandersen5640]

Or just go to lowes and spend $10 on a new brush

[@Mr.Pop0]

That's not a quality brush.

[@nelsonbrum8496]

@@Mr.Pop0 maybe for a 1" brush...

[@darylg.4270]

everything except disposal.

[@timbrousseau3490]

Good drain cleaner too??? Because i imagine that's where most folks are going to dispose of it. The environment would not approve.

[@Darththescammer]

You should go down skin row and see if they care about the environment. From gov to people living there

[@Sparky-2036]

Hand spin ? 🤨🤨🤨🤨🤨 There once was a man on PBS that always told me "just beat the devil out of it"

[@lanamolczyk5139]

Gotta love Bob Ross

[@iratepeople455]

That redheaded Keebler-elf looking dude doesn't know how to do ANYTHING! They have to explain to him in EVERY VIDEO!

[@3lwoodBloose]

LOL!

[@TrumpAmerica-2024]

all psaki does is lie and circle back

[@abbleshawce]

"removes latex"...make sure to wear latex gloves though

[@Andrew1224gd]

Lol

[@danmc2678]

Now that is funny!

[@christianolsson2898]

Use masks and/or active ventilation. No point in inhaling toxic fumes.

[@brokenarrowez]

I throw the brush away. Buy a new brush. Quicker n less work.

[@michaelroyalspencer]

The chemicals name is brush cleaner? Gimme a break!

[@Agent77X]

It it is water paint that how easy that brush is back to fully operational. Latex paint and dry, buy a new brush!😂 This time buy the $2 brush and not the $12 Prudy! Waste of money and effort trying to clean it! The quart brush cleaner solvent is $5! rsh

[@jasonnester9514]

Yaaaa throw it in garbage buy a new one

[@Bremend]

Or, buy a cheap brush each time if you only tend to paint rarely.

[@TheTerminator1919]

Cheap brushes suck for cutting

[@themanamana81]

i'm only a musician... but.. when dealing with chemicals..and brushes... i would allways recomand using safety googles!