Always thoroughly clean paint brushes, rollers and pads after each painting session, otherwise they will soon need replacing. Use cold water to wash off water based paint immediately and never leave any of your painting tools to soak in water.

Before cleaning a brush, roller or pad, check on the paint tin to see what solvent is needed. Some paints require special thinners to remove them. Buy the necessary solvent at the same time as you buy the paint.

Emulsion and acrylic based paint need only plenty of clean water. Some paints can be washed off with warm water and detergent, while others need turps. You can also use a proprietary brush cleaner; kerosene will remove oil based paint.

[edit] Leaving a Brush Loaded With Paint

You can leave a paint loaded brush for an hour or two if you wrap it in plastic film or kitchen foil which keeps out the air and prevents the paint from drying. A roller also can be left if both tray and roller are slipped into a plastic bag which is then sealed at the open end. With water based paint a roller can safely be left overnight.

You can also leave a brush loaded with gloss paint for longer periods overnight, for example, if you keep it in a jar of water which prevents the paint from being exposed to the air. Drill a hole in the brush handle, pass a piece of stiff wire through it, and suspend the brush in the jar. Do not allow the bristles to touch the bottom of the Jar or they will lose their shape.

[edit] Cleaning a Brush

1. Gently scrape excess paint from a brush onto absorbent paper or cardboard.

Use a flat stick, or a paint stirrer, working away from the handle.

2. Wash emulsion paint out of a brush under a running tap.

Rub a little soap or washing up liquid into the bristles and rinse in clean water. alternatively, clean off an oil based paint, with turps.

3. All brushes will benefit from a final wash in soap and a rinse in clean water. Use your fingers to work out any remaining paint.

Once a brush is clean, shake it vigorously to get rid of excess water. Wipe away any remaining water on a lint free cloth to dry the brush thoroughly, but do not damage the bristles.

[edit] Cleaning a Roller

1. Remove as much paint as possible with a special tool made for this purpose.

Otherwise use the edge of a flat stick or paint stirrer.

2. Run the roller over the ribbed part of the paint tray and then over sheets of paper or cardboard to remove excess paint.

Keep replacing the paper so that you do not pick up the paint again.

3. Remove the sleeve.

With water based paint, wash the roller under running water, working the paint out with your hands.

Cleaning a Paint Pad

Run the pad over paper to get rid of most of the paint. Wash the pad in clean water, taking great care not to separate the mohair from the base. The process will be faster if you use a little soap, but make sure you rinse it all out in clean water.

[edit] How To Store Brushes, Rollers And Pads

Leave brushes and rollers to dry and then wrap them in brown paper or lint free cloth, such as clean old sheeting. Store the tools flat in a warm place where they will not become damp.

Paint pads are an awkward shape to wrap so store them in plastic bags, fastened with rubber bands. This will prevent dust from collecting on the mohair.

[edit] How To Soften a Neglected Brush

A brush which has not been cleaned well after use will become hard, with the bristles sticking together in clumps. The best way to soften a brush is to use a proprietary brush cleaner or paint stripper, following the instructions on the pack.

Tease out any paint particles in the base of the brush with a fine brass bristle brush (normally for cleaning suede). Only use this type of restored paintbrush for rough work, like applying primer.