Whether you are an artist or in the middle of a house painting project, you will want your paintbrushes to last a prosperous lifetime. If so, you may wonder how to properly remove enamel paint or other paints that you may use from your paintbrushes. The answer? How you clean paint from your paintbrushes depends on whether it is an oil-based or water-based paint.
You cannot clean oil-based paint the same way you clean water-based paint. This is because oil does not mix with water and cannot be washed off with water. In fact, cleaning paint brushes improperly can lead to permanent damages and costly replacements.
Fret not, because this comprehensive guide will show you how to remove enamel paint from paint brushes, whether clean water or oil-based paint, from your painting tools and extend their lifespan.
What is enamel paint?
Enamel paint is a type of paint that is resilient to outdoor conditions and changes in temperature. It dries to a hard, glossy finish and is popular for painting vehicles, boats, and other surfaces that undergo hard wear. Enamel paint is usually oil-based, but some brands sell water-based paint.
How to remove enamel paint from paintbrushes
The method you choose to remove enamel paint from paintbrushes depends on whether the paint is water-based or oil-based. Generally, cleaning water-based paint involves washing it under running water. On the other hand, you can clean oil-based paint with either paint thinner or oil and dish soap. Removing oil-based paint from paintbrushes without solvents is more ecological and economical than using paint thinner.
Note: It is okay to use paint thinner if you follow the proper listed below.
How to Remove Enamel Paint from Paint Brushes: Water-based enamel
You’ll need: 1 bucket, mild dish soap, rag, brush scrub
- Pour enough water to cover the paintbrush in a bucket completely.
- Pour some dish soap into the water.
- Work the soapy mixture through the bristles.
- Brush the bristles with a brush comb.
- Rinse the paintbrush with running water and wipe dry with a rag before storing.
How to Remove Enamel Paint from Paint Brushes: Oil-based enamel
There are a few methods that you can choose to clean oil-based enamel paint. Cleaning oil paint without a solvent is effective, economical, and environmentally friendly. You can choose any of the following methods according to the material’s availability and your budget.
Cleaning oil-based enamel paint without solvents
With oil and soap
You’ll need: Paint rag/paper towel, oil (coconut oil/vegetable oil/baby oil/mineral oil), mild dish soap (e.g., Dawn dish soap), running water, container.
- Wipe the dirty paintbrush into a rag or paper towel.
- Pour enough oil into a container that completely coats the bristles.
- Dip the bristles of the paintbrush into the oil.
- Wipe the paintbrush into a rag.
- Repeat 3-4 times or until the paintbrush is clean.
- Rinse the paintbrush with dish soap and water.
- Dispose of the rag by hanging it dry outdoors and away from other flammable materials. You can reuse the paint rag or dispose of it in a water-filled, air-tight metal container and then bring it to a hazardous waste collection site.
With a brush cleaner
You can clean oil-based paint with brush cleaner products. One of the most popular is with Masters Brush Cleaner & Preserver. Its only flaw is that the package is only large enough to clean artist brushes and not bigger brushes. Here is how you clean oil paint with Masters Brush Cleaner & Preserver:
- Press the brush into the Masters Brush Cleaner & Preserver under running water.
- Once cleaned, wipe dry with a rag or paper towel.
Cleaning oil-based enamel paint with paint thinner
Using paint thinner would be the most straightforward method to clean oil paint. However, solvents and mineral spirits such as thinner or turpentine release toxic fumes that can cause paint thinner poisoning. Paint thinner also irritates human skin and can cause methemoglobinemia when accidentally ingested. Not only that, but paint thinner is also harmful to the environment due to its toxins that can contaminate groundwater and the natural surroundings.
Solvents such as paint thinner and turpentine may also cause your brushes’ bristles to turn brittle if used too frequently. So, after cleaning your paintbrush with thinner, wash any solvent from your brush with soap and water. Alternatively, you could use certain soaps that are engineered to clean and condition paint brushes simultaneously.
How to clean oil-based enamel paint with paint thinner
You’ll need: paint thinner, brush comb, 1 clean container, 1 unwanted container, mild dish soap (e.g.: Dawn dish soap)
- Wear a mask and chemical-resistant gloves before cleaning your dirty paintbrush in a well-ventilated area.
- Pour enough paint thinner to cover the bristles in the dirty paint container.
- Note: If you want to save the leftover paint, pour the paint thinner into a clean container.
- Dip the paintbrush into the paint thinner and move it around as you clean both brush and container.
- Once the paint thinner has turned murky, dispose of it into an unwanted container and bring it to a hazardous waste facility.
- Repeat about 2-3 times or until the paintbrush is clean.
- Note: You can check if the paintbrush is still dirty by squeezing the bristles to see if there is paint running down the brush.
- Once the brush is clean, spin it vigorously in the bucket to remove any remaining thinner.
- With a brush comb, brush off any paint clinging onto the bristles. You should brush it following the direction of the bristles.
- Clean any remaining solvent from the paintbrush with dish soap and running water.
- Store the clean paintbrush in the brush jacket or the package that comes with the paintbrush when you buy it.
- Let the dirty paint thinner sit for 1-2 days as the solids settle to the bottom.
- Pour the thinner into a clean container and reuse it for future painting projects.
- Wipe the residue with a paper towel and dispose of it in household garbage.
Pro tips:
- If you intend to continue painting the following day, store the brush or rollers in a plastic bag after painting. This will prevent them from drying out and save you the trouble of washing.
Video guide on how to clean oil-based enamel paint
Credit: howtopaintahouse on YouTube
How to dispose of paint thinner
Dirty paint thinner is regarded as hazardous waste and should be disposed of accordingly. It releases toxic fumes that can cause harmful effects when exposed to high enough levels over a long period of time. Aside from the steps below, always wear masks and chemical-resistant gloves when handling paint thinner.
- Reuse the paint thinner by letting it sit for 1-2 days.
- The solids will settle to the bottom of the container, leaving you with clear thinner that you can pour into a clean jar and reuse in the future.
- You can then use a paper towel to wipe the residual before disposing of it in household garbage.
- Call your local trash service for proper disposal or bring dirty paint thinner to a hazardous waste facility.
- Flush dirty paint thinner down the drain because it will clog up the pipes and pollute the environment.
- Dispose of paint thinner in household garbage.
Key takeaways
Enamel paint is a great choice for painting vehicles or any outdoor surfaces that face weather conditions. Water-based and oil-based enamel paint involves different cleaning methods. You can clean water-based paint with mild soap and running water. On the other hand, you can remove oil enamel paint from paintbrushes with one of several methods: with oil, brush cleaners, or paint thinner. You must also dispose of dirty paint thinner properly by sending it to a hazardous waste facility.
