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https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl DIY Forum >> Painting, Decorating & Tiling Questions >> How do you clean a paint brush? https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1114212217 Message started by zambezi on Apr 23^rd, 2005, 12:23am

Title: How do you clean a paint brush?
Post by zambezi on Apr 23^rd, 2005, 12:23am

I can't seem to get my paint brush clean, i used it to paint some gloss a couple of weeks ago and when i wanted to use it today it was rock solid!! Is the brush faulty? Do you think B&Q will give me my money back?

Title: Re: How do you clean a paint brush?
Post by JerryD on Apr 23^rd, 2005, 12:46am

Yes, you've been unlucky and bought a faulty brush.

Title: Re: How do you clean a paint brush?
Post by zambezi on Apr 23^rd, 2005, 1:02am

It is such a hassle to change the brush! I have to commandeer one of Air Zimbabwe's planes (oh sorry there is only 1 left) to make a quick trip back to London, so i can pop in to B&Q. On the bright side my wife could pop into Harrods and spend enough money to feed the 7 million starving people in Zimbabwe....

Title: Re: How do you clean a paint brush?
Post by woodsmith on Apr 23^rd, 2005, 8:37am

Get a belt sander and sand both sides of the brush smooth, take all appropriate safety measures first or get someone else to do this for you.

You then have a highly functional paint/varnish spreader.

Title: Re: How do you clean a paint brush?
Post by zambezi on Apr 23^rd, 2005, 11:16am

Thank you woodsmith but i dont think i have ever come across one of these belt sanders? Do you have to take the belt off your waist before sanding it? How well does it work on fake leather belts?

Title: Re: How do you clean a paint brush?
Post by Dewy on Apr 23^rd, 2005, 1:47pm

I always put my paint brushes in the washing machine making sure I use bio washing powder.
I presume you use a tub at the side of the river in Southern Rhodesia (Zimbabwe these days) so I dont think this will work.

Title: Re: How do you clean a paint brush?
Post by woodsmith on Apr 23^rd, 2005, 5:14pm

Zambezi you probabl;y don't need a belt sander, if you have rhino nearby.

Stand 100 meters from rhino, wave 2 fingers and verbally abuse it, it now rushes toward you, wait.... at the very last moment step to one side and press the side of the paintbrush against the rhino as it wizzes past.

Repeat the process for the other side of the brush and hey presto brush as good as new ;)

Then RUN ;D