bb

"bynot"

16/09/2007 12:45 AM

Brush cleaning question

Can I get some suggestions as to what makes the best brush cleaner for
oil-based polyurethane.
Applying multiple coats to gumball and candy dispensers can eat up
throw-away foam & cheapo brushes.

Thanks to all in advance


This topic has 12 replies

FF

Ferd Farkel

in reply to "bynot" on 16/09/2007 12:45 AM

16/09/2007 7:04 PM

On Sep 15, 8:45 pm, "bynot" <[email protected]> wrote:
> Can I get some suggestions as to what makes the best brush cleaner for
> oil-based polyurethane.
> Applying multiple coats to gumball and candy dispensers can eat up
> throw-away foam & cheapo brushes.
>
> Thanks to all in advance

Wash in used solvent, followed by two more washings in
clean solvent followed by spinning the brush "dry," then
comb it (a fork works as well as an actual "brush comb")
and put it back in its wrapper. Pour the solvent from the
second and third washings into the first jar of solvent to
conserve it and keep it out of the waste stream. My ten
year old varnish brushes are in better condition than new.

Never dip a brush in finish all the way to the ferrule.
You'll never get it clean, and the bristles will never
again lie smooth and parallel.

FF

Ferd Farkel

in reply to "bynot" on 16/09/2007 12:45 AM

17/09/2007 3:57 PM

On Sep 17, 6:45 am, "Dave Gordon" <d@p> wrote:
> "Ferd Farkel" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>
> news:[email protected]...
>
> > On Sep 15, 8:45 pm, "bynot" <[email protected]> wrote:
> >> Can I get some suggestions as to what makes the best brush cleaner for
> >> oil-based polyurethane.
> >> Applying multiple coats to gumball and candy dispensers can eat up
> >> throw-away foam & cheapo brushes.
>
> >> Thanks to all in advance
>
> > Wash in used solvent, followed by two more washings in
> > clean solvent followed by spinning the brush "dry," then
> > comb it (a fork works as well as an actual "brush comb")
> > and put it back in its wrapper. Pour the solvent from the
> > second and third washings into the first jar of solvent to
> > conserve it and keep it out of the waste stream. My ten
> > year old varnish brushes are in better condition than new.
>
> > Never dip a brush in finish all the way to the ferrule.
> > You'll never get it clean, and the bristles will never
> > again lie smooth and parallel.
>
> And once its washed, put some string or a lazzie band round the bristles, otherwise the next time you
> use it its like painting with a shaving brush.

Whack it across the edge of your bench several times.

BA

B A R R Y

in reply to "bynot" on 16/09/2007 12:45 AM

16/09/2007 10:15 AM

On Sun, 16 Sep 2007 00:45:19 GMT, "bynot" <[email protected]>
wrote:

>Can I get some suggestions as to what makes the best brush cleaner for
>oil-based polyurethane.

I use regular paint thinner. If I'm using the brush soon, I'll leave
it in the thinner. If not, I'll do a final cleaning with lacquer
thinner before putting the brush away.

---------------------------------------------
** http://www.bburke.com/woodworking.html **
---------------------------------------------

DG

"Dave Gordon"

in reply to "bynot" on 16/09/2007 12:45 AM

17/09/2007 11:45 AM

"Ferd Farkel" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On Sep 15, 8:45 pm, "bynot" <[email protected]> wrote:
>> Can I get some suggestions as to what makes the best brush cleaner for
>> oil-based polyurethane.
>> Applying multiple coats to gumball and candy dispensers can eat up
>> throw-away foam & cheapo brushes.
>>
>> Thanks to all in advance
>
> Wash in used solvent, followed by two more washings in
> clean solvent followed by spinning the brush "dry," then
> comb it (a fork works as well as an actual "brush comb")
> and put it back in its wrapper. Pour the solvent from the
> second and third washings into the first jar of solvent to
> conserve it and keep it out of the waste stream. My ten
> year old varnish brushes are in better condition than new.
>
> Never dip a brush in finish all the way to the ferrule.
> You'll never get it clean, and the bristles will never
> again lie smooth and parallel.
>
And once its washed, put some string or a lazzie band round the bristles, otherwise the next time you
use it its like painting with a shaving brush.

an

alexy

in reply to "bynot" on 16/09/2007 12:45 AM

16/09/2007 5:17 PM

"bynot" <[email protected]> wrote:

>Can I get some suggestions as to what makes the best brush cleaner for
>oil-based polyurethane.
>Applying multiple coats to gumball and candy dispensers can eat up
>throw-away foam & cheapo brushes.
>
>Thanks to all in advance
>
Epifanes, a manufacturer of premium marine varnishes recommends
storing natural bristle bushes suspended in diesel fuel or kerosene
between uses. I have tried it and it works. (Although I can't attest
to long-term results, they claim to have some brushes 15 years old in
good shape doing this.) From their Q&A at
http://www.epifanes.com/qanda.htm

:Devise a rack system (ie. coat hanger) that will hang your brushes
:suspended just clear of the bottom. Fill the container with Diesel
:(yes, Diesel) or Kerosene until the ferule (the metal part) is
:halfway submerged. This will ensure that the bristles are “underwater”.
:This is where they will live. When it comes time to use the brush,
:simply rinse out the diesel two or three times with common mineral
:spirit, spin and use. After use, repeat with two or three rinsings,
:a spin and back in the diesel. This method will keep your brushes
:clean and supple for years. we have 15-year-old brushes that are
:in great shape. The diesel has enough cutting capability to keep
:the varnish from clogging up the bristles but, is oily enough to
:keep the bristles soft.
--
Alex -- Replace "nospam" with "mail" to reply by email. Checked infrequently.

Ji

"Joe"

in reply to "bynot" on 16/09/2007 12:45 AM

16/09/2007 11:54 PM


>> >>
>> >>
>> > What! Nobody suggested this: you can put your brush in the freezer (bag
>> > it first, of course) and use it without cleaning it particularly
>> > well.Or
>> > maybe at all. I have done this with brushes and forgot about them for
>> > literally months and used them without a problem. Worth experimenting
>> > with cheap brushes and when your swmbo isn't looking.
>>
>> And then have water vapor condense on it before you dip it into your
>> poly,
>> thereby ruining your finish.
>>
>> that might work with water baased finishes, but i'd never try it on an
>> oil
>> based (actually, i'd never try it, but the reasons would be better for
>> oil
>> based).
>>
>>
> Joe, you may more about this than I ever will, but my experience is my
> experience: I did about two thousand
> square feet of oak and maple flooring and used this trick on lambswool
> and brushes and never had the problem.
>>
ldr, that's good to hear (no problem). given the humidity in my shop right
now, the possible condensation issue was the first thing that came to my
mind.

be well, work wood:

jc

Jj

"JGS"

in reply to "bynot" on 16/09/2007 12:45 AM

16/09/2007 6:42 AM

Whatever finish you are using, always start by dipping the brush up to the
ferrule in the cleaning solvent before you start. Let most of it drip off,
brush some clean paper with the brush to remove the excess and then you are
ready for the finish. Makes the clean up much easier. JG
"bynot" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:z0%Gi.827$Yb2.272@trndny08...
> Can I get some suggestions as to what makes the best brush cleaner for
> oil-based polyurethane.
> Applying multiple coats to gumball and candy dispensers can eat up
> throw-away foam & cheapo brushes.
>
> Thanks to all in advance
>

Ll

LDR

in reply to "bynot" on 16/09/2007 12:45 AM

16/09/2007 11:44 AM

In article <z0%Gi.827$Yb2.272@trndny08>, [email protected] says...
> Can I get some suggestions as to what makes the best brush cleaner for
> oil-based polyurethane.
> Applying multiple coats to gumball and candy dispensers can eat up
> throw-away foam & cheapo brushes.
>
> Thanks to all in advance
>
>
>
What! Nobody suggested this: you can put your brush in the freezer (bag
it first, of course) and use it without cleaning it particularly well.Or
maybe at all. I have done this with brushes and forgot about them for
literally months and used them without a problem. Worth experimenting
with cheap brushes and when your swmbo isn't looking.

Ll

LDR

in reply to "bynot" on 16/09/2007 12:45 AM

16/09/2007 12:01 PM

In article <[email protected]>,
[email protected] says...
>
> "LDR" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > In article <z0%Gi.827$Yb2.272@trndny08>, [email protected] says...
> >> Can I get some suggestions as to what makes the best brush cleaner for
> >> oil-based polyurethane.
> >> Applying multiple coats to gumball and candy dispensers can eat up
> >> throw-away foam & cheapo brushes.
> >>
> >> Thanks to all in advance
> >>
> >>
> >>
> > What! Nobody suggested this: you can put your brush in the freezer (bag
> > it first, of course) and use it without cleaning it particularly well.Or
> > maybe at all. I have done this with brushes and forgot about them for
> > literally months and used them without a problem. Worth experimenting
> > with cheap brushes and when your swmbo isn't looking.
>
> And then have water vapor condense on it before you dip it into your poly,
> thereby ruining your finish.
>
> that might work with water baased finishes, but i'd never try it on an oil
> based (actually, i'd never try it, but the reasons would be better for oil
> based).
>
>
Joe, you may more about this than I ever will, but my experience is my
experience: I did about two thousand
square feet of oak and maple flooring and used this trick on lambswool
and brushes and never had the problem.
>

Ji

"Joe"

in reply to "bynot" on 16/09/2007 12:45 AM

16/09/2007 1:40 AM

just stand it up in a jar of mineral spirits. when you're ready to use it,
squeeze the excess out. This will leave enough ms's in the brush to allow
better flow out of the poly on the next coat.

jc



"bynot" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:z0%Gi.827$Yb2.272@trndny08...
> Can I get some suggestions as to what makes the best brush cleaner for
> oil-based polyurethane.
> Applying multiple coats to gumball and candy dispensers can eat up
> throw-away foam & cheapo brushes.
>
> Thanks to all in advance
>

GR

Gerald Ross

in reply to "bynot" on 16/09/2007 12:45 AM

17/09/2007 9:05 PM

bynot wrote:
> Can I get some suggestions as to what makes the best brush cleaner for
> oil-based polyurethane.
> Applying multiple coats to gumball and candy dispensers can eat up
> throw-away foam & cheapo brushes.
>
> Thanks to all in advance
>
>
Last week I had to put several coats on a toy boat. I coated it every
12 hours using a foam brush. After using the brush, I simply put the
brush in a ziploc bag until next time. I tried to remove all the air
from the bag each time. Worked well for me, as I was down to my last
foam brush.

--
Gerald Ross
Cochran, GA

There is no time like the pleasant.



Ji

"Joe"

in reply to "bynot" on 16/09/2007 12:45 AM

16/09/2007 6:50 PM


"LDR" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> In article <z0%Gi.827$Yb2.272@trndny08>, [email protected] says...
>> Can I get some suggestions as to what makes the best brush cleaner for
>> oil-based polyurethane.
>> Applying multiple coats to gumball and candy dispensers can eat up
>> throw-away foam & cheapo brushes.
>>
>> Thanks to all in advance
>>
>>
>>
> What! Nobody suggested this: you can put your brush in the freezer (bag
> it first, of course) and use it without cleaning it particularly well.Or
> maybe at all. I have done this with brushes and forgot about them for
> literally months and used them without a problem. Worth experimenting
> with cheap brushes and when your swmbo isn't looking.

And then have water vapor condense on it before you dip it into your poly,
thereby ruining your finish.

that might work with water baased finishes, but i'd never try it on an oil
based (actually, i'd never try it, but the reasons would be better for oil
based).

Joe


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