Tuesday, July 31, 2012

The Paintbrush Myth


Mandy loves to paint. And paint. And paint. And paint some more. You give her a room and a new brush and she's off to buy another gallon. Note I said "new brush". Most of our paint projects start with new brushes. And not intentionally. She always intends on washing them out. But there's always one more coat or touch up spot. So the brush goes into a plastic bag, wrapped up, ready for the next session.

It's a good theory: keep the brush wrapped up so it stays wet and you don't have to wash it out. It works pretty well, and saves time between coats. And after the last coat, if you don't have time right then to wash out the brush, just wrap it up again until you have a few spare moments later in the day. And that's where the myth kicks in. The spare moments never come, and later in the day turns to the next day, then later that week, and then before you know it, the wet brush has turned into another plastic-wrapped paint mallet to add to the collection.

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13 comments:

  1. Nice...I love the plastic wrapped paint mallet! That happens to us all the time too. :) Megan

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  2. So true! I've ruined way tooo many brushes lately!

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  3. If you go onto pinterest and search for "cleaning paint" there is a pin that says you can soak them in warm vinegar or something like that, and they'll be good as new. I've not tried it, but just thought I'd share. :) I love reading your blog, btw.

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  4. Life's too short to clean paint brushes! :oD

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  5. I agree with Anne. So much easier to just buy a new one.

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  6. Ha! I have some in the fridge as we speak (bc apparently it's better...) that have been in there for like a month. I have no idea if they have hardened or not. I should really get on to washing them, if I still can... And that is why I don't buy expensive ones!

    BTW, love your insight into the craft blogging world. I read your entire blog last Friday. Every single post. I don't think I've ever done that for any other blog!

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  7. Man, you crack my s*** up! I never realized how I must be seen by others: a craft-crazed, repurposing, pinning maniac!

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  8. Someday I may be able to admit that a dozen 99 cent chip brushes are more practical than one $16 teflon bristled, birch handeled, "one coat" wonder in a handy cardboard sleeve with certain uncleanable bristles which must be delicately trimmed away in order to keep it "in buisiness" because I could never throw away a 16-dollar brush that I haven't had but a few months yet!

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  9. we just freeze ours and believe it or not they are quite nice when we need to re use it; then clean it up. some really nice brushes in our inventory..

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  10. I've rescued hard brushes (latex paint) with the vinegar on the stovetop method + hair conditioner. Not the purdy brushes (I'm pretty fanatical about cleaning those daily) but I have a few which are the box-store knock-off.

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  11. A true crafty painter knows that you put it in a ziploc, then in the fridge. THEN it will last for weeks and you can still do touch-up!
    You're welcome.

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  12. Ha ha! Which is why I always wash out my brushes, even if I come back 5 minutes later. I could never afford to paint if I didnt!

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  13. I've been doing renovations lately and was painting 2 kids bedroom and furniture. I went to Lowe's to pick up supplies and they were demonstrating this new product that keeps paint, rollers and brushes. I've tested it...since I was half done painting. I had paint left in the tray, the wet roller and a brush in this bag. It stayed in there for 3 full days, as I worked 12 hours shifts. When I got back to painting, I was ready to go from where I left off. I'm so glad I bought this product. It is worth it. And is environmently friendly. Only cost $13.00!!!
    http://www.kovrd.com/products/3-in-1-paint-tray-bag-and-drop-sheet/

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