How to Clean Up After You Paint

So you’ve just finished painting your walls, and they look fantastic! But the job isn’t done yet. Cleaning up after you finish painting may be the least favorite job for any painter, but it’s just as important as how you start your project. Be sure to clean up as soon as you have finished painting, to ensure the paint does not dry on your brushes or the floor. If you remove all the paint from knives, scrapers, and brushes when you’re done, they will not only be ready to use the next time you need them, but they will last longer.

Tips on Cleaning up After You Paint

• To stop drips in their tracks, keep a damp cloth on hand. This will allow you to wipe up any excess paint immediately before it has time to dry.
• Remove any masking tape as soon as you’re finished with it. Doing this helps reduce the possibility of lifting the fresh paint with the tape. If the paint has already dried, use a utility knife or razor blade to score lightly along the edge of the tape before removing it.
• Wait for paint to dry completely before scraping it off any glass surfaces, like windows.
• Fold the edges of drop cloths towards the middle of the room to avoid any drips on the floor or other surrounding services.
• Clean tools before they dry.

How to Clean Your Painting Tools

• First, scrape or otherwise remove any leftover paint from your tools and brushes.
• Wash your paint trays and brushes with warm, soapy water in a sink or a bucket. A wire brush is handy to clean the bristles.
• Rinse your brushes in warm water to remove the soap. Repeat until the water is clear and all the soap is removed.
• If you’ve been using oil-based paints, clean your brushes with paint thinners, then rinse with warm, soapy water.
• Let your brushes and tools dry completely, and then store them either by hanging them up so that nothing touches the bristles, or by laying them on a clean flat surface.
• TIP: Massage a little bit of hair conditioner into natural bristles to help preserve your brushes.

No matter if you use Benjamin Moore Regal Select paint, Ricciardi Brothers paint, or Farrow & Ball paint, proper clean up is essential for your paint job. Make sure to leave ample time in your painting schedule for you to clean any drips and your tools. Choosing high quality brushes and other paint tools will last for years, as long as you properly clean them after every use.

Visit us today at the Ricciardi Brothers location nearest you for more information on how to choose the right paint for your walls and the best cleaning tips for your selection. Our experts are happy to answer all of your questions to ensure your paint job comes out perfectly and lasts for years to come!