Is there a way to prevent dried paint on the top (belly) of your paint brush? Like wrapping it or dipping it deeper in the paint?

I keep my brushes fairly clean except that part always has some paint on it that doesn't come off without serious scrubbing. It doesn't seem to hurt the brush having some dried paint there though.

 

Do you use a wire brush when you clean the brushes? Using a wire brush to 'comb' the bristle both removes drying paint and helps to groom the bristles to keep them straight.

 

In addition to Marksr's comments, I will generally clean my brush at least 2x a day, at lunch and when I quit for the day. If I'm working in the sun I may clean it 4x a day, combing it with the wire brush as mentioned as it's being washed/rinsed. Sometimes I will use 2 brushes so that one can be drying while I use the other.

I will often apply a very light coat of Vaseline on my latex and oil brush bristles, which acts like Brylcreem for the bristles. Helps to keep them flat as the brush dries and has never affected the latex paint at all. IMO it also helps that "dried paint" come off easier when combed.

 

Thanks for the suggestions. I use the plastic comb/bristle brush cleaner. I think upgrading to the metal/wire version will work better.

 

plastic comb/bristle brush - like a scrub brush

I've always used a wire brush when cleaning paint brushes! You take the wire brush starting at the ferrule [metal portion] and comb towards the tip of the bristles. This both cleans and shapes the bristles.

 

This is the metal version I may buy. I have the plastic version which doesn't brush much paint off. Now if only my $4 rollers could be cleaned as well! I throw those away.

Here's the Amazon link
Wooster Brush 1831 Painter's Comb - Household Bristle Paintbrushes - Amazon.com

 

While I've seen those or similar, I've never used one. I've always just used a regular wire brush. I've always thought a brush comb was redundant as the wire brush 'combs' the bristles as you clean with it.

 

A wire brush has many more "bristles", will clean better with fewer strokes.

 

Ok, I'll pull out one of my heavier gauge wire brushes and give that a try.