Paint Clean-Up Tips

Take the time to carefully clear protective coverings and clean the tools you’ve invested in.

● Clear dried masking liquid: First, ensure the paint is dry—it’s best to allow 90 minutes. You don’t want the paint to peel off along with the shielding barrier. Use a utility blade to score the mask along the borders of the glass, then lift it off in one piece (left).

● Pull up painter’s tape: Once the paint is dry, carefully pull it off at a 45-degree angle to support from taking the paint with it (below left). If the edge is filled with paint, score along the paint line with a putty knife first.

● Clean paintbrushes: To get rid of latex paint, run the brush under warm water with the bristles pointed down; use your fingers to work a few drops of detergent into the bristles, keeping the water away from the ferrule. Press bristles against the sink wall and scour off any stuck-on paint with a plastic or nylon scrub pad. Avoid assertive metal combs and brushes; they can damage the bristles. To clean off oil-based paint, swirl the bristles in odorless mineral spirits.

● Clear excess moisture with paper towels, then rotate the brush handle between your palms. Never put wet brushes in a receptacle with the tips up, where moisture can seep into the metal and drive it to rust. Lay brushes flat or hang them on a hook to dry, then store them in their actual sleeve to keep the bristles in form.

● Clean paint-roller covers: First, run the curved blade of a 5-in-1 tool down the cover to clear the paint. With latex paints, pull the cover halfway off the frame and run it under warm water, utilizing a hand to push the paint out of the fibers. With oil-based paint, pour the solvent into a paint tray, dip, and roll the cover occasionally; substitute with clean solvent for a final rinse. Blot the cover with a paper towel and stand it on end to dry.