29. Cleanup

At the end of a paint job you may choose to throw away the roller covers, but the paint pans, roller handles, and brushes can be cleaned and stored for future use. Stray paint drips can be wiped away if they are still wet. A putty knife or razor will remove many dried paint spots on hardwood or glass. Remove stubborn paint from most surfaces with a chemical cleaner.

Use a spinner tool to remove paint and solvent. Wash the roller cover or brush with solvent, then attach it to the spinner. Pumping the handle throws liquids out of the roller cover or brush. Hold the spinner inside a cardboard box or 5-gallon bucket to catch paint and avoid splatters.

Cleaning products include (from left): chemical cleaner, spinner tool, cleaner tool for brushes and roller covers.

Cleanup Tips

Comb brush bristles with the spiked side of a cleaner tool. This aligns the bristles so they dry properly.

Scrape paint from a roller cover with the curved side of cleaner tool. Remove as much paint as possible before washing the tools with solvent.

Store brushes in their original wrappers, or fold the bristles inside brown wrapping paper. Store washed roller covers on end to avoid flattening the nap.

Remove dried splatters with a chemical cleaner. Before using cleaner, test an inconspicuous area to make sure the surface is colorfast.