How to Make a Paintbrush Cleaning Tank

When you take on a painting project, you will often find yourself wanting to re-use your brushes. A problem can arise when you forget to soak your brushes in paint thinner to prevent them from stiffening and becoming too hard to use again. A quick rinse with the hose and pouring on some paint thinner isn't going to get out the paint that's lodged deep inside the bristles in the center of the brush. To remove this stubborn paint and prevent it from ruining your brush, you need to soak the brush in paint thinner for several hours. There is a simple and easy way to make your own soak tank for your paintbrushes, and you are almost certain to already have the required items in your kitchen.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Coffee can (with lid)
• Paint thinner
• Knife

1. Make two intersecting cuts in the coffee-can lid, in the form of an X.

2. Fill the coffee can with paint thinner. Use enough so that the bristles of the brush will be completely covered when they are deposited in the "tank."

3. Insert the paintbrush handle through the slits in the coffee-can lid. The plastic flaps formed by the cuts will hold onto the brush handle, preventing it from falling into the can.

4. Place the brush (with lid attached) into the filled coffee can. Make sure the tip of the brush is at least 1" from the bottom of the can. The paint that is extracted from the brush will fall to the bottom of the can overnight, and you don't want the brush tips sitting in the goo!

5. Soak the brush overnight. Your brush will be free of any clumps or residue by the next day.