MURAL TIP #24 | Keeping Your Brushes Like New

One of the issues you may encounter in mural painting is when your brush or rollers dry out during and after painting.  When your paint brushes dry out, your strokes will not be as smooth as before. Trust me, you don’t want to keep purchasing new paintbrushes every time you have an upcoming project.

To save money and maximize the use of your paint brushes, follow these smart tips to keep your brushes from drying out.

Tip 1: Cover the paintbrush in a plastic wrap or sandwich bag. Make sure that you squeeze out the air before fully closing it. You can also use tape to keep the wrap in place. This can be a little messy so wear your gloves. For rollers, you can take it off the handle or just wrap the roll part with a plastic wrap.

Tip 2: Cover your brush with aluminum foil. Wrap the foil in the entire brush or roller and press the sides to keep it sealed. This helps lock moisture in and keeps the air out. Do the same with your rollers then store them for the next days.

Tip 3. If you need to take little breaks during painting, you can coat your brushes or rollers with a thick coat of paint to prevent them from getting dry until you need to use them again.

To clean your brushes: You can use paint thinner, soap and water, vinegar, alcohol, or specific paint soap. Let them sit for an hour or longer depending on how thick their paint coats are. Rinse them properly with hot water and let them dry.

Worst Case scenario: If you ruin a brush and the paint is completely hardened on, there is hope! You can use paint thinner or gasoline in a jar and soak the brushes in it. Within a few minutes, it should soften up, allowing you to scrub off the paint and have a soft brush again. It’s quite amazing, but a messy process!

Ultimately, knowing how to take care of your paintbrushes can save you a lot as an artist. For more mural tips, you can check my other related blogs about mural painting.