Winter is a favorite time for indoor home maintenance projects. Owners of historic homes who wish to try a "do-it-yourself" project often select painting: refreshing or changing the paint on walls, doors, and trim. It takes a top-quality paint brush to do a neat, efficient job, and that brush will last for years if you clean and store it properly.
Paint brushes aren't all-purpose. It is important to select the best brush for the job. If you've used inexpensive or throwaway brushes for previous projects, you will see a difference when you switch to quality. Brushes are designed for specific jobs – different widths, shapes and flexibility. For example, a flexible brush holds enough paint to create a smooth finish, but you want a firm brush for cutting straight lines. Your local hardware store is the best place to find the right brushes for your painting jobs.
Ongoing projects that use latex (water-based) paint don’t require you to clean the brushes every day. You can wrap a damp paint brush in plastic wrap and put it in the refrigerator. If it’s dry, wrap it in a damp cloth before you use the plastic. When you finish the job, the brush should be thoroughly cleaned. Here is a professional painter’s strategy:
Step 1: Brush off any dry paint left on the bristles. You can use a paintbrush comb or a wire brush. Gently brush toward the bristle ends to remove the dry paint.
Step 2: Rinse the bristles under warm running water. When the paint is nearly washed away, add a drop dishwashing liquid and work it into the bristles until the runoff water is clear.
Step 3: Remove the excess water. A brush spinner is most efficient, but if you don’t have one, you can use the palm spin. For this, place the handle between your palms and spin the brush.
Step 4: It is best to store the brush in its original cover, but if you didn't save it, fold a heavy paper bag around the bristles. The structure will keep it in great shape for future use. Finally, store brushes flat or hang from the hole in the handle.
Renaissance Development, is a leader in renovation of historic homes in the DC area. We love old homes and are committed to preserving their historic charm and value. If your renovation project includes brick repair, contact us for a free site visit and project quote.