It feels satisfying when you’re finally done painting your wall or furniture. But soon you’ll realize it comes with a messy painting process, seeing your brush stuck with polyurethane.
But worry not, our pro woodworkers and painters will show you how to clean a polyurethane brush effectively. So, get the materials ready, and we’ll do the cleaning!
What Types of Brush Can You Use to Apply Polyurethane?
You can use two different brushes to apply polyurethane as a table top finish or a sealer on various wooden products. For oil-based polyurethane formulas, you need to use a brush made with natural bristles. These are better suited for soaking in and spreading the oil. However, they can be costly.
When it comes to water-based polyurethane, synthetic bristles are the best choice. They do not enthrall as much moisture as natural bristles, making them ideal for this type of application. They are also cheaper and can render a more even coat.
If you don’t have any, you can easily purchase one at the nearest local hardware store near you!
Steps on How to Clean Water-Based Polyurethane from a Brush
Cleaning water-based polyurethane paint from a brush can be simple as the following:
Tools and Materials You'll Need
- Dish soap
- Gloves
- Running water
- 2 to 3 cups
Step #1: Pour Three Cups With Water
Get three cups, which are large enough to submerge your brush in. Then, clean polyurethane brush up to its ferrule, the metal part that’s binding all the bristles.
Step #2: Put the Brush in the First Cup
Soak the brush into the cup. Next, stretch it back and forth until the water gets in between the bristles and the ferrule. Do this step three more times and see if the water changes color.
Step #3: Put the Brush in the Next Cup
After one cup of water changes into a dirty color, proceed to the next cup. Repeat this entire process until the water in the cup becomes a tad clearer.
Step #4: Clean the Brush With Soap
Next, head over to the nearest sink and clean the brush with clean, running water. It is better to rub it with a soap dish and scrub with your hands. Our pro painters advised to wash it about two to three times until you achieve squeaky clean bristles.
Step #5: Hang the Brush and Leave to Dry
Once you’re done thoroughly cleaning, you can either hang it on the sink or somewhere dry. Once the brush is fully dry, you can reuse it the following day.
Steps on How to Clean Oil-Based Polyurethane from a Brush
Compared to synthetic brushes, these brushes are more prone to dirt. But, cleaning oil-based polyurethane brushes can be as simple as the following:
Tools and Materials You'll Need
- Dish soap
- A pair of gloves
- Nylon scrub brush cleaner
- Paint thinners, mineral spirits, or turpentine [1]
- Running water
- Three cups
Step #1: Fill Three or Four Cups with Mineral Spirits
In three or four cups, pour mineral spirits (paint thinner or turpentine). When the cups are ready, soak the brush up to its ferrule.
Step #2: Put the Brush in the First Cup
Immerse it in the first cup with mineral spirits. Make sure to hold the brush down so that all of its bristles are fully soaked.
Next, stir it inside the cup to get the mineral spirit in between the bristles.
Step #3: Proceed With the Next Cup
After the first cup, pour the mineral spirits into the next cup. Keep going until the water color no longer changes.
Step #4: Scrub it in Running Water
Bring the brush into the sink and rinse it with clean, running water. Also, rub it with dish soap to ensure it’s rid of chemicals. Continue doing this until you get a clear lather.
Step #5: Scrub with a Nylon Brush
Once again, put the brush in the sink and rub it with soap. Using a nylon brush, gently rub it in to clean the bristles.
Repeat the process until you get an oil-free, squeaky clean polyurethane brush.
Step #6: Leave the Brush to Dry
Then, allow for it to dry in the sink or someplace dry. After a day, the brush will be completely dry.
Why You Need to Clean Polyurethane Brushes
Handy and Convenient
Having your brush ready can help you avoid buying one every time. You can always reuse it.
Ensures the Quality of Your Project
It’s essential to clean a brush with polyurethane to prevent exposure to a dried polyurethane coating. Without proper cleaning, the brush won’t be as even as before, affecting the quality of your project.
Extends the Life of the Brush
Based on our team’s experience, good-quality brushes can be used for 10 years before it starts to wear out.
Synthetic and natural brushes can last long as good as a new brush if you thoroughly clean them after each use.
Professional Use
When people know you as a skilled do-it-yourselfer, they expect you to have various tools handy. Having a good quality brush is essential to ensure that you achieve the quality of work as a professional.
For Your Health and Safety
While it’s common knowledge that polyurethane can contain toxic chemicals, it’s also important to remember that extended exposure can cause health problems. To minimize exposure, keep all of your chemicals in their original containers.
Can You Use The Same Polyurethane Brush For Water-Based and Oil-Based Use?
Utilizing the same brush for oil-based and water-based polyurethane applications is okay but not recommended.
The results will not be the same because oil-based poly applications will require the use of natural bristles. And for water-based poly applications, we recommend using a synthetic brush.
In addition, different cleaning agents are recommended for the two types of polyurethane; paint thinner for oil-based and dish soap for water-based.
However, if you don’t have these types of brushes, you can still use one brush for both poly coats. Just make sure you clean it thoroughly after use.
Check this out: Best Brushes for Polyurethane Application
How and Where to Store the Brushes
Depending on the core of your project, you may need to take breaks for a few hours.
So, instead of simply laying the brush on top of a newspaper or clean rag, our pro painters advised leaving the bottom one-third of the bristles in the paint before walking away. This method will prevent the paint from getting dry.
Where to Store When Taking a Long Break
After you have finished your project, it’s time to remove polyurethane from the brush and store it. These steps will help keep them in their best condition until they need to be used again.
- Clean paintbrushes thoroughly after use to prevent drying out.
- Use dish soap or paint thinner (depending on the finish: water-based polyurethane or oil-based polyurethane) to remove polyurethane from the brush.
- Before storing, wring it out.
- Lastly, store it in plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
FAQ
How do you clean a polyurethane brush without paint thinner?
To clean polyurethane brushes without paint thinner after the polyurethane application on paint, you can use warm soapy water if it’s water-based.
In removing oil-based polyurethane brush, you’ll need to dip it in turpentine or mineral spirit if you don’t have a paint thinner.
What you should do with a brush between polyurethane coats?
After each coat of paint, wash the polyurethane brush using a mild cleaning agent. Then, rinse the paintbrush with clean water and remove polyurethane residue. Finally, leave the paintbrush flat on a hard surface to dry.
Can you use acetone to clean a polyurethane brush?
You can use acetone to clean polyurethane brush. Acetone can be a natural paint thinner that can be used to clean water-based polyurethane brushes and remove oil-based polyurethane from synthetic bristles.
Conclusion
Knowing how to clean a polyurethane brush has immense benefits for your budget and safety. Doing so will keep your polyurethane brush good to use for many years.
Aside from keeping your tools in tiptop shape, it can also ensure the good quality of your projects. It doesn’t matter whether you’re using water-based polyurethane or oil-based polyurethane, a clean polyurethane brush counts.
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