Cleaning after using gloss paint

[willspal]

Hi.

I am just about to start glossing all the woodwork and was wondering what was the best way of cleaning and storing the brush over night to use again the next day. I normally buy a load of cheap and nasty brushes and then bin them but I am going to buy 2 decent brushes this time and want to keep them as planning to do the whole house.

Also what about if you are in the middle of glossing and you need to take a break for about 20/30 mins to see to the childrens tea or something but you intend to carry on after. What would then be the best thing to do with the brush. Surely you don't have to clean it all every time you take a quick break.

Maybe it would be better to buy a job lot of crap brushes and sling them. LOL

Thanks.

[jake-the-peg]

Wrap them in cling film for short term storage

[nuoyg]

I normally get the excess of and then leave in a jar of white spirit mixed with water for a while, then go back and get the excess off again, I don't generally use the same one the next day though. I read in an article that the best way to store a pain brush is to wrap newspaper around the bristles and tie it with string. Never tried myself though. I like the Harris No Loss Paintbrushes (they have a navy handle) as they don't break the bank and in my experience they wash up well. Happy painting!

[Robinia]

I stood my brushes in cold water overnight & squeezed them in kitchen paper before use, which worked ok for me.

I agree about the brush cleaning - I hate it!

[raysparx]

Do as jake-the-peg says,and then clean them thoroughly when you have finished.

[swindontony]

I buy a water based gloss paint, its a bit more expensive, but you dont have the bother of having to use white spirit to clean the brushes, just rinse in water.

[sense4all]

Cling film after squeezing out excess is good for up to 24 hours.

[willspal]

Thanks everyone so much.

Did not know about the cling film, I often have to stop mid gloss to sort out a few fighting children so thats a handy tip to know.

Don't you just hate having to gloss woodwork in the first place.

Thanks again.

WP

[coffeeman]

the clingfilm or a small plasic bag works fine..just dont let any air get to it..this method was shown to me be a professional painter..

it works fine overnight too...just clean them properly when the job is completed.

[sense4all]

While you are doing the glossing :if the paint can has a handle tie string across tin to remove excess, saves the edge of the tin getting nasty. When you store the tin afterwards turn it upside down to skin goes on bottom of paint and to paint down towards it , not through it! An onion cut in half raw side up helps to absorb paint fumes.