So, I'm finishing my second project. Put poly on today with a brand new brush. Did the whole swish it around in mineral spirits for awhile thing, removed the excess, blotted the heck out of the brush with a wad of paper towels, then set it to dry. It's crunchy now! What am I doing wrong, or is this normal?
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jconnaghan
Mon, 10/11/2010 - 18:00
Well first off what kind of poly did you use, oil based or water based. If its water based you would actually want to use soap and water. If its oil based, I typically rinse with mineral spirits, then use the hose to blast off the excess and to avoid wasting mineral spirits. Then I repeat several times. You can still use the brush as long as its not completely stiff. Typically I just bend the bristles if its a little crunchy and the brush is fine.
tnslb
Mon, 10/11/2010 - 18:17
Sorry, I should have specified, I guess! Totally oil-based. The oil-based world is all new to me ;) (and I'm petrified of it...I'm soooo overly cautious freaky-deaky about used rags)
Tsu Dho Nimh
Tue, 10/12/2010 - 03:38
TNSLB:
Here's my technique, and I use mostly oil-based stains and varnishes. The brush will never regain that silky brand-new feeling, but mine don't get crunchy. there are a lot of steps, but not much actual work.
TIP: I start painting by dampening the brush with the appropriate solvent. It helps keep the base of the brush clean.
I use a fingernail brush and scrub from the base out to the tip to make sure it's well worked in
DISPOSING OF THE RAGS AND PAPER TOWELS: Yes, they can catch on fire if you pile enough of them up. If you have a large number of them, like when you are doing a whole floor, drop them into a bucket of soapy water (laundry detergent) until you have time to dispose of them. They will not catch fire when they are under water.
I lay them flat on a railing or sawhorse until they are stiff and dry, then toss them in the trash. When the liquid is gone - solidified or evaporated - they can't catch fire.
Painting Tips: