Am I nuts trying to clean foam mini rollers?

[orbb]

Do any of you try to clean foam mini rollers to use again and again? I put them in mineral spirits between coats, but when done with those coats, do you clean them for future use or just chuck them?

[David G]

Yes... you are.

[chas]

Get help, quick! / Jim

[orbb]

Thanks. I can use the money set aside for counseling for more rollers.

It's hard to overcome your genes. My Dad would use sandpaper until it was smooth and non-abrasive. I have overcome that hurdle, but now on to the next one.

[the_gr8t_waldo]

I don't bother cleaning IF i am going to use the same paint the next time...just wrap the roller in some saranwrap or a plastic shoping bag, and deposit in the fridge. other than that i toss, the price of a new roller being so low.

[Bluegill]

Thanks. I can use the money set aside for counseling for more rollers.
It's hard to overcome your genes. My Dad would use sandpaper until it was smooth and non-abrasive. I have overcome that hurdle, but now on to the next one.

Being frugal is good. Waste not, want not. A person that will not save a penny, probably does not have a penny.
My in-law goes into a restaurant and immediately buys 2 bottles of wine and orders appetizers. Totally over-indulges. No one knows, he is broke.

[JimConlin]

I don't bother cleaning IF i am going to use the same paint the next time...just wrap the roller in some saranwrap or a plastic shoping bag, and deposit in the fridge. other than that i toss, the price of a new roller being so low.

Ditto.
Aluminum foil is less vapor-permeable than a plastic film.
Add a tsp. of thinner if the roller is on the dry side.
Freezer is better.

I would not try to clean them. The best I hope for is to get another day from one.

[orbb]

Being frugal is good. Waste not, want not. A person that will not save a penny, probably does not have a penny.
My in-law goes into a restaurant and immediately buys 2 bottles of wine and orders appetizers. Totally over-indulges. No one knows, he is broke.

I don't have money to burn, but my bigger concern is that all this stuff is toxic. If I am throwing it out, I have to figure out how and where to throw it out without simply putting it in the trash, headed for the local landfill. That's why I wondered if there was a way to re-use them. It saves the problem of that next step.

[David G]

I don't have money to burn, but my bigger concern is that all this stuff is toxic. If I am throwing it out, I have to figure out how and where to throw it out without simply putting it in the trash, headed for the local landfill. That's why I wondered if there was a way to re-use them. It saves the problem of that next step.

What... you think you dirty solvents you create by washing those things is fertilizer for your organic radishes?

[pumpkin]

What... you think you dirty solvents you create by washing those things is fertilizer for your organic radishes?

I only wash brushes and rollers used with latex paint. I bought a spinner and with two buckets of warm water everything comes out like new. When I figure they're at the end of their life I let one of the kids wash them and they're usually hard the next day.

[orbb]

What... you think you dirty solvents you create by washing those things is fertilizer for your organic radishes?

No, so far, none of those solvents have gone to ground. I swap the solvents out through a series of mason jars, and when I am wringing out brushes or rollers, wring them out into a bucket with wood shavings. I burn the wood shavings in the outdoor fire pit (yes, this is also pollution).

[rbgarr]

If it works for you, why not?

[Pericles]

Stick 'em on the end of a stick of bamboo and let 'em cure. Then use 'em as backscratchers or dip 'em in tar for flamin' torches.

[Brian Palmer]

I put Jen foam brushes in the freezer between coats of paint and varnish, tightly wrapped in a plastic bag to remove any air. I can get several coats out them if they are used every day or two or three.

Most importantly, SWMBO has not raised any objections about odor or contamination with the organic/free range/grass fed meat from our community supported agriculture (CSA) that she is also storing there.

Brian

[James McMullen]

Frugal is good. Penny wise but pound foolish is not. You are certainly adding to your waste footprint with all that solvent. . .more than the waste of an extra foam roller or two? Probably yes. You're also investing extra time and effort on a negligible cost item, making it pretty darn expensive in terms of shop time.

[Gerarddm]

Bingo, James.

[devout]

Don't do it. I did. Here is the result. My daughter took the picture and she was exposed to some rude language.





Regards
devout

[Nicholas Scheuer]

I've cot a couple I could mail to you. The paint dried in them several months ago.

[beernd]

I don't have money to burn, but my bigger concern is that all this stuff is toxic. If I am throwing it out, I have to figure out how and where to throw it out without simply putting it in the trash, headed for the local landfill. That's why I wondered if there was a way to re-use them. It saves the problem of that next step.

I bet you dollars for donuts that the stuff you are using to clean them is not excactly harmless.
Plus the cleaning process probably will get some of the stuff on your skin, that's not good either.

I would go with the alu foil/refrigerator advice.
If push comes to shove you perhaps used less solvent etc. that way.

[Mad Scientist]

I expect that the rollers will be safe to dispose of once whatever is on them has dried.

Tom