Removing Oil Based Paint from Brushes and Rollers

Oil based paint produces a beautiful finish and is perfect for many projects but unfortunately it is not always easy to get it off paint brushes and rollers afterwards. To ensure you don’t have to throw away expensive painting equipment after just one use, you simply need to buy the right sort of high quality paint roller or brush for the type of paint in question and then be hasty and vigilant about cleaning your equipment afterwards.

Before you begin painting with oil based paint, it is worth remembering that a roller made from natural fibres is likely to give you a smoother, streak free effect, and will also no doubt be a great deal easier to clean.

On completion of any project, clean all brushes and rollers immediately. It is important to do this in a very well ventilated room or, ideally, outside, to avoid inhaling paint thinner fumes, which will be both toxic and highly flammable. It is best to separate out the paint rollers and brushes, placing each in an old bucket. Pour just enough paint thinner over the brushes to cover the bristles and do likewise on the roller or rollers, ensuring the entirety of the material is submerged. Leave the buckets for a few hours or overnight in a safe place and the paint should simply come away and sink to the bottom of the container.

When you return, gently move each roller and brush from side to side in the container to remove any excess paint and then carefully remove the equipment and place it on a rag or paper towel. If necessary, you can then use two or three tablespoons of thinner on a rag to remove any paint from the handles by dabbing. Following this, place all the brushes and rollers in a bucket of soapy water to remove any excess solvent and then leave them to dry. If you can still detect remnants of paint, you may need to repeat the process once more.