How to Remove Oil-Based Paint With Solvents

Washing off oil-based paint will preserve paintbrushes.

A solvent is used to dissolve and clean grease and oil. You can use many solvents to clean a paintbrush of oil-based paints. It is important to dissolve the oil-based paint from the brush; otherwise it will harden and destroy the brush. Use materials that you can throw away because they will get oily and stained. Always work outdoors, away from cars and property that can’t be easily cleaned.

Things You'll Need

• Small container Mineral spirit Newspaper Coffee can Paper towels

Instructions

1. Fill a small container with mineral spirits. The container should be wide enough to fit the paintbrush you want to clean and deep enough that you can cover the bristles with solvent.

2. Dip the paintbrush into the mineral spirits so that the bristles are submerged.

3. Move the brush around gently to agitate the liquid and help it pass through the bristles. The mineral spirits should turn dark with the color of the paint on the brush.

4. Pull the brush out of the container and let as much mineral spirits run off the bristles. You can press it down gently on a piece of newspaper. Make sure that when you press down the brush, the bristles stay together in one direction.

5. Empty the dirty mineral spirits and replace with a clean batch. Put the brush back in the container. Pour the mineral spirits into a coffee can or any metal container with a lid. Check local regulations on how to permanently dispose of solvents later.

6. Take the brush out and place it on several layers of paper towels.

7. Wrap the bristles in the towels and squeeze it to release the mineral spirits in the brush.

8. Keep replacing the spirits, soaking the bristles and squeezing them dry in paper towels until the mineral spirits remain clean when you put the brush in it.

Tips & Warnings

• You can save the used mineral spirits to use for the first course of cleaning paintbrushes in the future.

• Never let a paintbrush with old-based paint dry or it will harden and ruin your brush. Mineral spirits and solvents are considered hazardous materials and should be disposed of properly. They should not be poured down the sink or thrown into trash bins.

References

• Hammer Zone: Finishing with Urethane