How to clean the brush after finishing metal paint job

Used products:

Zip-lock bag
Newspaper
Bucket with soapy water
Paper towel
Rubber band

How to clean paint brushes

Paint brushes can be used time and time again if you store them properly. Master both cleaning and storage with our simple and useful tips.

Our step by step process will teach you the best way to wash and store your paint brush.

The best way to clean a paint brush is to start removing excess paint

Clean the brush by removing excess paint. Scrape the brush against the edge of the paint can to remove any large amount of metal paint.

How to remove remaining paint

Then work out most of the remaining paint by painting sheets of old newspaper brushing back and forth, until the brush is clean and dry.

How to wash and clean the brush with water – if water borne

Remove all remaining paint by cleaning the brush with water for water born paint. A water born paint is easier to clean. Still good to collect the water and let it evaporate in time. Or bring it to chemical waste center.

Reshape the brushes

Reshape the brushes. Slap the brush against your hand a few times to bring the bristles back into alignment and then reshape the brush so it looks like new.

Note: a good way to do this is with a paint brush comb, available at paint stores

How to clean and store paint brushes

Place the washed brushes and rollers on paper towels in a dry area. Give them a few hours to dry completely and then wrap the dry brush in paper towel or newspaper, secured with a rubber band. Ready to be reused for a job in the future!

Tip: For intermediate storage of the brush—several hours or overnight—an easy way to keep the brush fresh is to wrap the bristles and ferrule in resealable plastic bag.