How to Clean Paint Brushes With Oil

Paint brushes full of oil-based paint cannot be cleaned with soap and water like paint brushes with latex paints can. They need a special treatment to get them fully clean. Fortunately, cleaning off oil paint does not have to be any more complicated than cleaning off any other type of paint as long as you are prepared before you start cleaning.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 1 Can of Paint Thinner
• 1 Rag or Old Towel
• 1 Bucket or Plastic Dish Pan

1. Pour a cup of thinner into your bucket or dishpan. Be careful not to spill any. If the pan is too full and looks like it will slosh, pour some of the paint thinner back before you continue.

2. Soak your paintbrush in the thinner for about 30 seconds. Turn the brush over once or twice in the process.

3. Clean out the ends of the brush. As if you are bouncing a ball, tap the bristles onto the bottom of the bucket quickly and repeatedly, a dozen or so times. You will see paint literally falling out of the brush into the liquid.

4. Place the brush on the towel. It is OK if it still has some paint thinner on it. Most will have fallen off during the tapping.

5. Replace the used paint thinner with a fresh cup. You can use the same bucket or dishpan as before.

6. Repeat the soaking and tapping process. Each time that you tap off the brush, you will see less and less paint falling out of the brush. You are finished when you soak and tap, and no visible paint falls out.

Tips & Warnings

• You may wish to wear gloves to protect your hands from the paint thinner.
• Do this in a well-ventilated area.