How to Clean and Store Your Oil Painting Tools ?
Here's how to clean your brushes every time you use them:
1. Wipe off any paint solids from your brushes onto a paper towel.
2. Swish the brushes in the solvent jar and knock off the excess solvent on the outside edge of the jar. You'll see the solvent running down the inside of the jar; it should look transparent. Never leave your brushes standing in a jar of solvent. It warps the bristles and ruins the shape of the brush.
3. Put a small amount of liquid soap in your hand and swish the brushes in soap, shampooing and rinsing until the suds are white.
4. Rinse the brushes thoroughly, wipe them dry, and allow them to air dry completely until you use them again. Remember to wipe up any paint with a paper towel before it has a chance to dry.
5. Store the brushes so that the bristles are protected from being bent. Either roll them in a canvas sleeve or towel to keep the bristles in good shape.
]]>
Never put any solvent on your skin or clothing. If you get a little paint on your clothing, don't worry. Just apply a little dishwashing liquid with water and it washes right out. Then launder as usual. If you get any paint on your skin, wipe off the big gobs with paper towel and then simply wash with soap and water.
When you're ready to store your palette and brushes, you have a couple of options. If you know that you'll paint again within the next two days, you can keep your paint on the palette. If you have a glass palette, cover it with heavy aluminum foil. The paint will stay liquid for a day or two and you'll save your paint. If you're using a disposable palette, tear off the top sheet, turn it over, and put it down on the next sheet. You can store it as is.
If you aren't going to paint again for a few days, you can dispose of your paint this way:
For disposable palette pages, allow the paint to air dry and simply tear out the page and throw it away.
For glass palettes, allow the paint to dry for one day and then scrape it off using a razor tool (the same type of tool you'd use to clean paint off a window pane). If you need to clean your palette before the paint dries, use the razor tool to scrape the paint off and wipe it onto a paper towel. Never use solvent or water on your palette; it only spreads the mess everywhere. And never put any solvent or paint in a sink drain — it's very bad for the environment and your pipes!
Looking for Portable Tool Table Plans for your woodwork power tools?
Just check out the internet, there are Handsaw Storage Rack Plans to satisfy all skill levels. And you can download Woodworking Clamp Rack Plans, make woodworking easier and more fun !