Fact Or Crap: washing your brush in hot water - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

**slickshift** · 11-09-2006, 08:47 PM

This youngster says his old boss told him that he shouldn't wash his brushes out in hot water, as it affects the bristles adversely

My mentor told me (a looooong time ago) we should always wash our brushes in the hottest water possible

It's time to play...
Fact Or Crap

**Double-A** · 11-09-2006, 09:01 PM

If you read the manufacturer's information, such as from Purdy, they state that washing in hot water can cause problems with the shape of the brush, but not the individual bristles. In fact, they recommend hot water if the brush has lost its shape or has old latex on it. They also state to rinse in cold water before spinning the brush out, or the brush may take on a 'shocked' look.

This refers to non-china bristle (man-made bristles) only.

$.02 take it or leave it.

Hammatime · 11-09-2006, 09:15 PM

I have always washed it out in hot water, then rinsed in cold before spinning.

Brushslingers · 11-09-2006, 09:27 PM

Hot if possible, though most of the time they sit in a bucket of water until I run out of brushes and have to clean one... hehe

**Teetorbilt** · 11-09-2006, 09:41 PM

I guess that the question is really 'how hot is the water?' Most residential systems will not produce enough temps to alter the bristles. I keep mine at 120*. I don't know the limit for hair bristles, I used to finish clean them with 180* water and 125 PSI.

**ProWallGuy** · 11-09-2006, 09:47 PM

I didn't vote because I didn't see the right answer.
If you clean out a brush full of latex in hot water, the hot water will solidify the acrylic resins, and make it much harder to wash out in the long term. It will tend to harden in the heel and slowly build up until the brush becomes an ax.

I can also cause the ferrule to expand, resulting in the bristles loosening and falling out.

I also put a shot of dish detergent in there too when rinsing out.

Richard · 11-09-2006, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brushslingers

Hot if possible, though most of the time they sit in a bucket of water until I run out of brushes and have to clean one... hehe

Brush, you soak brushes? yikes--well I dont know or care for that matter what manufacturers/my grandfather/mentor/mom/the pope says, I clean mine in warm water and spin them right after....I tend to keep each of my brushes for 1-2 years. I've had some for 3+

So.... Slick my answer is a combination...Frap

Brushslingers · 11-09-2006, 10:03 PM

Yes... i'm a brush soaker... hell some of my brushes people call dusters, yet I cut a cleaner line in half the time they do. I could paint with a ponytail if I had to.. heh. I've had most of the ones I currently use for about 3 years or so.

Richard · 11-09-2006, 10:17 PM

Do you have a ponytail, or would you borrow PWG's band member for the day?

Brushslingers · 11-09-2006, 10:24 PM

I'd have to borrow one...

I keep it fairly short due to heat rash issues on the back of the neck...

JNLP · 11-10-2006, 09:14 AM

Ive had one boss insist on using hot water. I've had another insist on cold. From what I've noticed, they clean better in hot water, but the bristles will be very soft. If you go in cold water they usually get stiff. After they dry they have a nice crunch to them & then act normal. I prefer not hot or cold though just in between. Blah blah blah though... Try them both & see what happens.

RobertCDF · 11-10-2006, 09:22 AM

I think you all should just include the cost of new brushes into every job... Use it as a selling point "I use only Brand name brand new brushes on your project. Becasue I care about giving you the highest qualiy" Then you dont have to clean them (unless every room in the house is a differant color. Then you might need to reuse some)

Richard · 11-10-2006, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobertCDF

I think you all should just include the cost of new brushes into every job... Use it as a selling point "I use only Brand name brand new brushes on your project. Becasue I care about giving you the highest qualiy" Then you dont have to clean them (unless every room in the house is a differant color. Then you might need to reuse some)

I find that a broken in brush is much better than a new brush ....and I pay over $20 per brush. At that price, I have to clean them. I'm not the type to waste, even at someone else's expense.

I do work in the cost of a new brush every so often though

YourWayPainting · 11-10-2006, 01:43 PM

Robert … You use a new brush on every job???

I sure wish you lived closer. I’d take those “old” brushes off your hands at the end of each job.

How about mailing them COD.

Danahy · 11-10-2006, 02:15 PM

I have 10 Wooster Firms, wrap em in plastic for a couple of days kept in a nice $3 tupperware like container with lid. Wash em when convenient, use warm water for my own comfort.

Remember last year there was this ice storm out side, painting a new gym in a small town, there was no hot water, infact there were no sinks.

Needless to say washing my brushes out in the toilet sucked really really bad. rinse, flush and repeat.

metomeya · 11-10-2006, 05:28 PM

What do you guys mean by spinning the brush exactly?

Danahy · 11-10-2006, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by metomeya

What do you guys mean by spinning the brush exactly?

Imagine someone trying to start a fire with a stick.

...or run out and dig out your brush spinner if you need to.

**slickshift** · 11-10-2006, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by metomeya

What do you guys mean by spinning the brush exactly?

metomeya · 11-10-2006, 06:08 PM

Cool, does it really work?

Is it worth buying?

Miniroller · 11-10-2006, 06:17 PM

Robert, I too figure in new brushes for each job I do even if I dont even open the sleeves. I use a brand new brush for second coat finish on oil or urethane (3rd usually) always. Some of the nicest finishes i've ever seen is when I did signs for a short while. We used throwaway foam brushes

yes, the brush spinner does work but your fingers will not the first time you get them caught in the gripper end.