the painted surface

Tool and Paint Brush Care

Roller Covers

• Avoid allowing paint to dry on the cover during painting. Use a 5 gallon bucket and screen instead of a roller pan. The exposure of the pan hastens the drying time of the paint on the roller.
• Remove the cover from the frame to wash them both, there is always some paint inside that can "glue" the cover to the frame. When the frame and inside of the cover is clean, wash the nap in warm water, then stand it up to allow draining and drying. If a garden hose is available, use a stream of water to spin out the cover while on the frame. Stand or hang the cover for drying to prevent matting down the nap. TIP!!! Buy lambswool covers, they perform better and wash easier than the synthetic fibers.

Buckets, Work Pots and Screens

• Buckets and screens can be cleaned in water, a stiff scrub brush or scrubbing pad will help. The screen may not get completly clean, but some dried paint on it will not prevent its use in the future.
• Work pots will need to be wiped out and cleaned with water or mineral spirits. Clean up will be easier if you have used plastic liners for the work pots. Just brush them out and turn them on edge to dry. The next time you need them, the dried layers of paint will peel away, or can be left.

Putty and Patching Knives

• Before patching compounds have dried, wash your knives. Dried spackle is tough to remove once it has cured. The knives need a clean edge to lay down a smooth layer of patching compound.
• An occasional light buffing of the blade with sandpaper will keep it extra clean and smooth.
• Store the knives only when they are completly dry, the moisture will cause pitting and rusting of the metal.

No one likes to clean house, their car or their tools, but simple maintenance will prolong the life of them all. Your painting tools and paint brushes when cleaned and dry, can be stored away, ready to be used in future projects. When that moment of inspiration comes, you will be ready.

These tips should help you care for your brushes and tools. More details about specific painting subjects are covered in the additional articles. In those will be found details, tips and techniques gathered from over 20 years of painting experience. Here is a list of links to the articles: