As artists and designers, we can attest to the importance of having a personal paintbrush for specific uses. And because we took our time to test and make sure the paintbrushes we have right now are those we prefer for our home or office painting works, taking proper care of them is crucial for their continued quality of performance as well as their longevity. If you are just starting your first painting project, you are in luck, as we will cover some of the practical and very easy tips we regularly do to clean our paintbrush sets to ensure our brushes are in top condition for years to come.
Have specific brushes for different uses.
We all know that tools will naturally present wear and tear over time and would hasten if you use them for surfaces that need specific brushes. Purchasing a dedicated set of brushes for each task will keep your brushes conditioned for longer periods, not having to worry about replacing them immediately for the next painting work.
Clean Your Brushes After Every Use.
This is one of the most critical steps in maintaining your paintbrushes, as paint that was allowed to dry on the bristles is difficult to remove and will ruin the brush at most. To keep unwanted streaks or clumps, rinse your paintbrush under warm water and soap for water-based paints, and paint thinner and soap for oil-based paints. Make sure to rinse properly and clean the base of the bristles before drying them to make sure the bristles don’t get stiff after.
Restore Your Hardened Brushes.
If you thought this was not possible, all you need to do is give your brush a little chance, soak it in warm soapy water for water-based paints, paint thinner for oil-based paints, and work through the bristles with a wire brush so the dried paint will break off.
Properly Store Your Brushes.
Other than properly drying your brushes by blotting the bristles with a clean cloth or paper towel, storing them appropriately is one way to maintain their shape to the original. You can do this by either hanging them up by the handle or laying them flat with the bristles hanging off the edge of a counter. Although this is quite a complex task, the reward of proper storage will keep your paintbrushes in top shape and always in the best performance for your next painting work.
Here’s an additional tip for you to consider: If you are not going to have another home improvement project soon, make sure to store your brushes properly for your next use. You can do this by wrapping the bristles in paper or plastic and storing the brushes in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight or heat.
Taking care of your tools is not a tedious task, especially if you know the importance of having brushes that you are comfortable using. Remember, a little extra care will save you a lot of trouble tomorrow.
