My paintbrush cleaning habit that wasted way too much time

For years I used to spray brushes with water and hope for the best, always leaving dried paint in the ferrule. Last month I switched to a spin bucket and a bit of brush conditioner from the hardware store. Now a coat of latex cleans off in under 30 seconds instead of me scrubbing for 5 minutes. Has anyone else found a faster way to clean up after painting trim?

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3 Comments

markhall5mo ago

You mentioned leaving dried paint in the ferrule, which is the main killer of brushes in my experience. The spin bucket sounds like a solid upgrade, but do you find the conditioner helps that much more than just plain water and a good rinse? I've been tempted to buy some but wonder if it's really worth the extra step.

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loganl225mo ago

Actually, brush conditioner is more about keeping the bristles soft over time than speeding up the rinse. You can get the same quick clean with just the spin bucket and water, the conditioner just helps the brush last longer.

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the_max5mo ago

So is the conditioner more about preventing the bristles from getting stiff and cracked at the base, or does it actually help stop paint from drying up in the ferrule? I read somewhere that some conditioners leave a slight residue that can mess with water-based paints if you don't rinse enough. @loganl22, have you noticed any difference with acrylics specifically, or is it more of a general brush life extender regardless of the paint type?

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