If you want to know how to get dried paint out of paintbrushes you first need to know how to properly
apply paint to the brushes when painting:
- Always apply paint to only the tip of the brush, this will leave most of the paintbrush clean from
dry paint.
Furthermore, you need proper paintbrush cleaning tools to get dried paint out of paintbrushes. The tools you need
will be something like a wire brush and a wire comb. However, the metal wire can damage your brush, so
use plastic bristle versions of the wire brush and comb. The dry paint washing part will require a stream
of warm water. Run water on the brush with the tip always pointed downwards as you use your two
cleaning tools. Now you have nice clean brushes with no dry paint on them. Let the paintbrushes fully
dry and you’ll be ready for your next professional painting project.
How to Get Dried Paint out of Paint Brushes Summary
- Always paint by putting paint only on the tip of the brush.
- Use a wire brush for dry paint.
- Use a wire comb for dry paint.
- Wash with paint bristles down.
Painting with the Tip
To be able to properly clean dry paint off your paintbrush, you need to be using it correctly in the first
place. Using your paintbrush the right way means applying paint to only the tip of the brush. This will
leave the majority of the paintbrush clean from dried paint buildup.
Wire Brush Tool for Dried Paint
As mentioned before, a metal wire brush can damage your paintbrush. You can avoid paintbrush
damage by using a plastic version of the wire brush. A wire brush is great for getting dry paint off the
outside of the brush.
Wire Comb Tool for Dried Paint
A wire brush is great for getting dried paint off the outside of your paintbrush. However, a wire brush
cannot get dried paint off the inside of your paintbrushes. This is where a wire comb comes into play. A
wire comb will be able to do a much better job with getting dried paint off the inside of your paintbrushes. As with the wire brush, use a plastic version of the wire comb.
Washing your Paint Brushes
For washing paintbrushes with dried paint on them, warm water works the best. Use your two tools on
the paintbrushes as you run the warm water on your paintbrushes. Keep going until you cannot see any
dried paint on your brush. Be careful of where you drain the water. Some types of paint can damage
plumbing. So, make sure you are using the correct drain. When your paintbrushes are fully clean of dry
paint build-up, let them fully dry. Now you are ready for your next interior paint job or exterior paint job.