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WHITY FEEPRESS, WEDNESDAYJANUARY 15, 1992,PAGE il A HOME, DESIGN AND IMPROVEMENT FEATURE Proper cleaning and-storagýe for brushes (SOP) Even inexpensive brushos and rollera will last years with proper use, cleaning and C oosing the right brush or roUler is important, too. Natural-bristiè 1brushes, traditionally considered the',béat by professional painters, have many' excellent qualities, particul.irly apringines. - But they are. expensive and should be used only with oil or alkyd-base pamit Or other solvent-thinned finishs, none of which contain water. If use d with latex-based paint that contains- water, or water-based stain, the bristies absorb moisture and becomne limp. Also water-baaed pigment entera the bristies and makes them bard to clean. Synthetic brushes - nylon and polyester -- are flot absorbent and can be used with ail types of paint and finish. (Howover, nylon is the only synthetic that can be used withZ certain finish removers. When buying remover, check the label for the types of brushes that can bo used with it.) I-gh-qua]ity synthetic brushes can produce resuits rivalling those having natural bristies, and they cost much less. -When buying rollers for use with water-baseçI niaterial, choose those with cores made of plastic or plastic-coated cardboard to repel moisture and prolong their life. For applying solvent-based material, consider using inexponsive rollers with an unprotected cardboard core. Cardboard is not softened by solvent-based solutions, anid since rîollers lined with cardboard are se inexpensive, it is botter to just throw them away. Dipping a paint brush properly. will prolong its life by maing it easier to dean: dip the brush into the paint or' other substance no more than half the length of the bristles. When brushing, avoid splaying- the bistles greatly, which can cause the brush to lose its shape. Lay brushes fiat when you put them . down. Do not leave brushes or rollers soai.cng in liquid, as this will damage the binding. To dean both brushes and rollers, first wipe them between layers of newspaper te remove as -much residue as possible. SWash brushos used with water-based material under warm running water in a sink or in a bueket of warm soapy water and then rinse with clear water. Be sure to cdean between the bristies, especially at the top where theyjoin the brush handle. Throw the dirty water down a drain that will not ho harmed by residue stains.. 1When the brush is dlean, insert it up -te the bandie in a plastic or paper bag, close the top by gnipping it around the handle and shake the brush to dryit, without cr-eating a mesis. Smooth. and s hape the cleaned bristles se, they lie flit, squre, the edge s and tip, and then ay the< brush flat on newspaper or suspendit by the hanl e rycompletely. To dleaný a roller used with water-based materials, remove it from thehandle and wash itas, described. It helps: te wringth roUler with your hands during washing, but bo careful not te. crush the core. When the roller is dlean, rub it te raise the nap, thon stand it upright on . newspaper te dry. Do net lay a damp roller flator it will develop a fiat spot. Clean the relIer handle with soapy water. STo dlean brushes or rollors used with solvent-based materials, different techniques are tequr. For brushes, fi il a wide-mouthed- can or jar with about an inch of the appropriate solvent.- Turpentino or minerai spirits are standard selvents. for paint, varnish and stain; lacquer and denatured alcohol is the solvent for shellac.' Special emulsi1fing cleaners for brushes and rollers are aise available that allow wasbing the item dlean with soap and water, smetimes without using selvent beforehand. Press the bristles of the brush against the base of the can or jar and flex them vigorously in the solvent or cleaner several times, until the liquid beconies saturated with residue. Then pour the Iiquid into a container for disposai and replace it. with' a fresh supply. Wipe the brush on dlean newspapers and. then repeat the process. Continue wiping until. the brush no longer produces streaka of colour. Then wàsh the brush. in a emali amount of warm soapy water and' rinse it with clear water. S9hako theo brush as dry as possfible inside abag as'proviously, describod, then Smooth- the brisles, shape the edgesand lay the. brush fiat or bang it vertically by the handie te dry completoly. .Brushos and rollers should be wrapped te protect them during long-term storage. To wrap a brus3h,* cutý a paper bag into a fiat shoot and fold it neatly around the bristles. Socure the wrapping with a rubber band but do not crimp. the bristles. Rollers can ho placed in paper or perforated plastic bags. Some air circulation should hoe present te prevent nuldew., 2 1s, E. -ier ChmnyStas C-.. e relae lu