Easy Steps on How to Clean Paint Brushes using Quick n Brite

Your paint brushes are an investment, whether you are an artist with expensive brushes or a home owner painting your bedroom or house, cleaning your brushes properly and thoroughly after painting will make your brushes last longer and is worth the investment of time. Quick 'n Brite is safe on synthetic brushes or natural brushes and the few minutes you spend cleaning your brushes after using them will extend their use. Unlike dish soap, Quick n Brite will not gunk up on your bristles or leave a residue.

One thing many painters do with outdoor brushes is use the pressure of a garden hose to force out paint, many people even turn the brush upside down and let the water stream jet into the bristles. This is one of the fastest ways to ruin a paint brush. Instead, with just a bit of patience you can properly clean your brushes so they will last for many uses.

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To Clean your Paint Brushes: 

1. First, gently wipe off any excess paint using a cloth or soft tissue. You can use your fingers to squeeze out excess paint starting at the base of the brush and moving towards the bristles, but don't pull to hard on the actual bristles.

2. If you are using a water-based paint use luke-warm water to rinse the bristles out. Avoid using hot water or leaving the brushes soaking in water as that will cause the glue to loosen and hairs to fall out.
   *DO NOT turn the brush upside down and let the water shoot straight into the tips of the bristles! This will cause stress on the bristles and quickly wear out the brush.
  * DO NOT push the bristles so they bend at a 90 degree angle.
If you are using an oil based medium rinse the brush in turpentine or oil. Then gently wipe the brush off again to remove leftover paint.

3. Then place a small dab of Quick n Brite in a dish (if you are using solvent based paints or toxic pigments) or in the palm of your hand if your paints are safe and gently work the cleaner into the brush.

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4. Rinse brush again with luke-warm water and repeat the process until the water runs clear from your brush. Do not use high water pressure to force the paint from the brush, it causes stress on the bristles just be patient and repeat steps 3 and 4 multiple times.

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5. Once your brush is completely clean, gently shape the brush head using your fingers into its correct shape and lay flat or hang the brush to dry. Do not dry the brush resting on the bristles.