Cleaning Brushes

[firstascent2002]

After a long weekend of work I have binned a lot of brushes that I could not revive. I took turps substitute down to the boat not white spirit. Made a hell of a mess...

a) what is turps substitute actually used for?
b) Other that white spirit, any suggestions for cleaning brushes?

Further posts on different topics to follow!

J

 

[2Tizwoz]

Brush Cleaner

Usually available at your local Wilkinsons also.

 

[PCUK]

Dulux brush cleaner is unique in that it will clean most paints including Hammerite, and many two-pack paints and uncured resin while still soft. Only available from Dulux trade outlets (Trade name McDougall Rose) can be ordered from Travis Perkins. No other brush cleaner comes close!

 

[flyingjunior]

I find that nitromores is pretty good for retreaving brushes which have been allowed to go too far

 

[nac]

no matter how hard the paint brushes are jeyes fluid should soften them,that is on normal paint not two packs.

 

[Danny Jo]

White spirit is fine for conventional paints and varnish, but you need several rinses, so brush cleaner may be preferable if you are not in a hurry to use the brush again (you have to rinse off the brush cleaner with water, and that will take some time to dry off). I do a first rinse in previously-used white spirit kept in a separate container, dry off with a clean rag, and, if I need to use the brush again, store it in clean white spirit. If the brush is to be put away, dry off with a clean rag again, then work liberal quantities of Fairy liquid into the stock and rinse with water.

Different solvents are required for two-part paints and others such as Hammerite. These tend to be expensive - if you are using cheap brushes, it is worth trying to keep the brush in a small quantity of solvent between coats, but may well be cheaper to chuck it at the end of the job.

 

[Frontier]

At the value of your time to the expensive brush cleaners and you might as well chuck them away. IMO

 

[ccscott49]

Brush cleaner and turps are just too expensive to use for cleaning brushes, just buy new ones. If you have good varnish brushes keep them in REAL turpentine, doesnt evaporate like turps subtitute, keeps them good.
By the way, white spirit and turps are the same thing basically. Both oil products, REAL turpentine is made from trees!

 

[Gordonmc]

Cellulose thinners will sort out well-hardened brushes, but will also strip the paint of the handles. I always keep the thinners used for cleaning spraygun nozzles for this purpose.
On the other hand I have never been able to get hardened brushes clean enough for varnishing.