Varnishing clean-up and disposal

[Kelsey]

With the amount of varnishing many (most!) of us will be doing this spring, I am looking for suggestions on: 1) proper disposal of staining rags and other spontaneous combustibles, and
2) good ways to clean and store varnishing brushes. I have been told so many different ways...
Any thoughts?

[Todd Dunn]

Here is what I do

1. Brushes - I switched to foam brushes. I set them aside until the varnish on them sets up then toss them in the regular garbage. I figure that is much less environmentally harmful than using and disposing of all the mineral spirits required to keep my old badger brushes in top shape. I used to tripple rinse my brushes in clean (clean for each rinse) mineral spirity and then wrap them in foil. I understand that storing them in motor oil works well.

2. Staining rags - I have an old gallon paint can (bottom paint) that I keep mostly full of water. I put the stain rags in it. Periodically I dump the water and lay the rags out on nearby granite boulders to dry. There are lots of convenient granite boulders here on Mount Desert Island, ME. When the rags are dry I toss them.

TD

[Rocky]

I store my good brushes in diesel fuel, but usually end up buying cheap ones and throwing them away after one or two apps. IMHO it's not the brush the makes the app, it's the surface prep, varnish mix, and ambient conditions. After the solids settle I pour the spirits in another can and reuse it for cleaning.

[ 03-14-2003, 06:05 PM: Message edited by: Rocky ]

[Scott Rosen]

I clean my varnish brushes with lacquer thinner or mineral spirits, usually three rinses, each followed by a vigorous ride on the brush spinner. I store them together, dry, in a clean plastic container.

[JimConlin]

This is a religious argument.
Preceeding are the three major positions, all valid.
Pick one and see if it fits you.

Personally, i'm a foam brush zealot.

[Rocky]

Far as I can tell you could apply it with a mop if the other conditions are right.

[ 03-15-2003, 01:33 AM: Message edited by: Rocky ]

[Concordia..41]

Yes, but would it better if you used a foam mop or a string mop? tongue.gif

[Wild Wassa]

Jim C, you might not realise it but we have a religious affinity.

The Father the Son and the Wholy Boast.

[Raven 271]

Signpainters rinse brushes in paint thinner and then dip them in lard oil . . . . .another one I've heard is to dip the brush in transmission fluid.I've been using lard oil for over 32 years with no problems.
As for the thinner,just let it settle,pour it off in to another container and reuse it.
Drape the oily rags over something,let the solvent evaporate and toss them.

[Scott Rosen]

Originally posted by Rocky:
Far as I can tell you could apply it with a mop if the other conditions are right.For varnishing large areas, I use a corn husk broom.

[Ed Harrow]

Brush cleaning:

Soak ~ 12 hrs in Kwikeeze (sp?) brush cleaner, soak ~ 12 hrs in second batch of same stuff (which eventually becomes the first batch, and the second is replaced with new.

Wash brushes in steaming hot soapy water (powered Tide). Wrap brush in Saranwrap or similar, leaving the bottom open so moisture can evaporater out. When dry, fold up the open end and put the brush away.

The brushes I'm using are ~ 100 yrs old, I'm the third generation user. Of course I've mentioned in the past that they are so well trained that all I need to is whisper the secret incantation, and take care of them when they finish. :D