Best way to clean brushes?

Lacquer thinners will clean most paints out of a paintbrush.

However, in the absence of lacquer thinner, you need to make sure you're using the appropriate type of paint thinner for the type of paint that you're using. For example, "paint thinner" (assuming a thinner for enamel type paints) is ineffective for acrylic paints, and vice versa.

When cleaning a brush:

• Never "stab" the brush against the bottom of your cleaning jar - this is the quickest way to destroy a brush
• immerse the bristles in the thinner (making sure you're using the appropriate type of thinner) and gently roll it against the side of the jar until no further traces of paint come out
• dry the brush by gently rolling against a tissue. paper towel or rag. If any traces of paint appear on the tissue/paper towel/rag, repeat the process above using clean thinner
• When no further traces of paint appear, wash your brush in warm soapy water. Rinse well and dry as described above.
• put a drop of hair conditioner (yes, the same stuff you use on your head) and gently massage into the bristles of your paintbrush. Take care not to bend the bristles at the ferrule or twist the "body" of the bristles. Rinse very well
• dry as described above
• while still damp, use your fingers to gently shape your brush. Assuming you're using a round/pointed brush, draw the bristles down between your thumb and fingertip so the bristles are straight. Work your way around the body of the bristles, making sure it's as round as you can get it.
• Put your brush into a holder, handle foen, bristles up, and allow to air-dry. If you had a sleeve for the point of the brush, put it on after the brush is thoroughky dry.

With proper care, your brushes will serve you well for many years. Abuse them and you'll only be able to use them a couple of times.

Generic lacquer thinner works great to deep clean brushes.

Andy