Ragged brush bristles can turn a quick paint touchup into a streaked mess. For guidance on how to maintain your painting tools for quality results every time, we asked three painting experts for advice. Below, they share tips on everything from preparing new materials to storing them between projects.

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High-quality tools may cost more upfront, but they can last years, saving you money in the long run and giving you professional results.

High-Quality Brushes

Professional painters often recommend high-quality brushes. These brushes are designed to hold more paint, provide better coverage, and create smoother finishes. When properly cared for, a good brush can last through several months of regular use.

Durable Rollers

Choose roller covers made from high-quality materials appropriate for your specific project. Microfiber rollers are good for smooth surfaces, while nap rollers work well for textured walls. Invest in a sturdy roller frame to improve your painting experience and results.

Consider buying specialized tools for cleaning your paint supplies. The Paint Piranha, for example, is a popular tool among professionals for cleaning both brushes and roller covers. It features a curved jaw for scraping roller covers clean and bristles for removing paint from brush bristles.

The Paint Piranha is a recent TOH editor favorite for cleaning paintbrushes and roller covers. | Wendell T. Webber

First, understand that paint tools are investments. Mauro Henrique, owner of Mauro&#;s Painting and a painting contractor featured on Ask This Old House, notes that you can expect a paintbrush or roller to last about three to six months with proper care. When you purchase brand-new tools, take a few extra minutes to prep your brushes and rollers to improve their performance and the quality of your paint job before it even begins.

Breaking in New Brushes

New paintbrushes often have stiff bristles that can affect their performance. Jenn Stimpson, owner of the building plans blog Build Basic, recommends the following: &#;Pinch the end of the bristles, and then lightly pull away from the brush to remove any loose strands. If you&#;re working with latex paints, dip the brush in a glass of water to remove lint.&#;

Removing Lint from Rollers

New roller covers can shed lint, which can create an unwanted texture in your paint job. To prevent this and get a smooth finish, Stimpson also recommends that you wrap a piece of painter&#;s tape around your hand with the sticky side facing outward. Then, roll the tape over the new roller cover to remove loose lint before painting.

&#;If you treat your paintbrushes right, they shouldn&#;t be too difficult to clean,&#; says Scott Burt, painting contractor and president of Vermont-based Topcoat Finishes. The best cleaning method for your tools will depend on the type of paint you&#;ve been working with.

For water-based paints, follow these steps:

1. Remove excess paint by brushing it back into the can or rolling it off onto a clean surface.
2. Rinse the tool under warm water, using your fingers to work the paint out of bristles or fibers.
3. Add a small amount of mild soap and continue working the paint out.
4. Rinse thoroughly until the water runs clear.

Oil-based paints require a different approach. Use these steps:

1. Remove excess paint as with water-based paints.
2. Pour odorless mineral spirits into a small container.
3. Swish the brush in the solvent, using the edges of the container to work out the paint.
4. Rinse with clean mineral spirits.
5. Repeat if necessary until the solvent remains clear.

Specialized Cleaning Products

Several products are designed specifically for cleaning paint tools. The Paint Piranha mentioned earlier can make cleaning easier and more effective. Always follow the manufacturer&#;s instructions for best results when using any cleaning product.

Effective Drying Techniques

After cleaning, gently shake out excess water or solvent. Use a brush and roller spinner to remove the remaining moisture quickly. Reshape brush bristles and roller covers while they&#;re still damp. Avoid knocking brushes against hard surfaces to shake out water, as this can damage newer brush designs.

Repair and maintain your brushes regularly to ensure a clean, smooth coat each time you paint. Replace the tools as needed to maintain consistent quality.

Regular Maintenance Tips

• Clean tools immediately after use, even if you plan to use them again the next day.
• Inspect tools regularly for signs of wear or damage.
• Keep metal parts of tools lightly oiled to prevent rust.
• Store tools so that bristles and wooden handles can thoroughly air out after cleaning.

Reshaping Brush Bristles

If your brush bristles warp or become misshapen, dip the brush in boiling water. Use a wire comb to reshape the bristles carefully. Allow the brush to dry completely in its proper shape.

Trimming Roller Covers

Over time, roller covers may develop fuzzy edges that can affect paint application. To address this and prevent unwanted textures in your next paint job, wait until the roller cover is completely dry. Then, use sharp scissors to carefully trim away any dried paint flakes or fuzzy fibers from the ends of the cover.

Want more information on bulk paint rollers? Feel free to contact us.

Additional reading:
Quick Tips Before Buying Screwdriver SetsTip: Trim fuzzy paint-roller-cover ends to avoid messy borders during your next paint project. | Thomas M. Scheer/EyeEm/Getty Images
Everything You Need To Know To Find The Best Brushless Electric Screwdriver Manufacturer

Even with the best care, paint tools will eventually need to be replaced. Look for these signs:

• Tools that consistently produce poor results despite proper cleaning and maintenance.
• Bristles that remain bent or splayed after cleaning and reshaping.
• Roller covers that no longer hold their cylindrical shape.

Storage During Painting Projects

Make sure you properly store your tools during any phase of the project so they&#;re ready and in good shape whenever you need them.

Short-Term Storage Solutions

For short breaks during your painting project, wrap brushes or roller covers in plastic wrap or heavy-duty aluminum foil. Place the brushes in airtight plastic sandwich bags. For breaks lasting up to 24 hours, store tools in an airtight bag with the air squeezed out, then place them in the refrigerator.

If you need to store your paint tools for more than a day, clean your tools thoroughly according to the type of paint used. Wrap clean, dry brushes in their original protective covers or create DIY covers using cardboard and duct tape. Store roller covers vertically or horizontally in a cool, dry place to maintain their shape.

Long-Term Storage

Proper storage between projects is crucial for maintaining the quality of your paint tools. Store them in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Avoid areas with high humidity, as this can promote mold and rust on metal parts. Always store paintbrushes in their original protective covers if you can. If you&#;ve lost the original cover, you can create a DIY version by using a piece of cardboard and duct tape. Shape the cardboard to match the brush&#;s original cover. Secure the cardboard around the brush with duct tape, ensuring the bristles are protected and maintain their shape.

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Keep your active brushes and rollers fresh

One of my readers asked me if it was a good idea to put their wet paintbrushes and rollers in plastic bags to keep them fresh when you need to stop painting.

Early on in my career, I wrapped mine that way when I had a delay in continuing the paint job.  Well, I was surprised to find that the brushes were pretty dried out in spots and the roller cover was hopelessly stuck to the frame! Was I mad! Did I do something wrong?

Plastic wrap or plastic bags are not the ideal brush and roller wrapping material!

Plastic doesn't work well for a couple of reasons:

• It's hard to seal a plastic bag well unless you put the entire roller or brush inside.
• Even then, the excessive air in the bag still allows drying to take place.
• Wrapping a brush or roller in plastic wrap gives a better seal but is messy to deal with.
• Thin plastic wraps can be slightly porous, allowing moisture (from latex paints) or solvents (from oil-based paints) to escape, hardening the paint on the brush/roller.

My solution?  Aluminum foil instead of plastic!

Why foil?  Aluminum foil is virtually airtight when folded around a brush or rolled onto a roller and conforms to the shape perfectly, leaving minimal air for drying. A standard width piece cut about 12" long will cover a standard size brush or roller.

Be sure to leave lots of paint on the roller or brush before wrapping to get the longest storage time!

How well does it work?

I have wrapped rollers covered with Kilz fast drying primer and had them still useable for a few days.  I prefer to use thicker heavy-duty foil, which is less likely to tear. It is only a few cents more per roll than regular foil but well worth it.  If you think your rollers will be in for some abuse once wrapped double-wrap them! 

Want your brushes and rollers to last even longer?  Refrigerate them!

If you want those wet brushes and rollers to last even longer, throw&#; sorry&#; place them in the refrigerator. Then their useful life can increase by weeks! In fact, I have found month-old rollers still useable, buried behind the veggies in my fridge. Not that it makes my wife very happy&#; but that's another story!

The freezer?? Not for latex paints!

Some folks think putting brushes and rollers in the freezer is even better.  For oils, it doesn't seem to have a negative effect.  But for latex paints, freezing can cause the paint to become stringy and semi-solid.  These little bits of clotted paint will transfer to your work, leaving little lumps on the surface and making a general mess. Stick to the refrigerator!

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