When storing your paint, add about an inch of water on top of the paint before you close the lid. This will prevent any air getting to the fresh paint, causing it to harden in the can. The bonus is that water and oil do not mix, so you don\u2019t have to worry about thinning out the paint.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nClean up<\/h2>\n Okay, the thing most people hate about oil-based painting: clean up. When I was a kid, I went to my grandparents and decided I would do something nice for them by repainting a shed they had in their yard. When I asked my grandpa for the equipment, he pointed me to the oil-based red paint he used before and reminded me that it wasn\u2019t like paint I was used to. Fast forward to the chore being complete, and it was time for cleanup. I went to the side of the garage and used the hose to rinse the paint brush. It didn\u2019t come clean. Worse, the paint got all over my hands and made a sticky mess. That was when I learned the difference between latex and oil-based paints.<\/p>\n
Oil-based paints are made from oil. Surprise! That means that it is water-resistant (hello outdoor use). Because of the chemical makeup, you will need to use paint thinner or mineral spirits. It\u2019s best to get two large buckets or tubs, so that you can work easily. Fill the tubs half way up with the paint thinner or mineral spirits. Trust me, this isn\u2019t wasting anything.<\/p>\n
Set the brushes and rollers in the tub to soak for about five minutes. It\u2019s best to work outside when cleaning the brushes if you can to avoid chemical fumes and messes. Use nitrile gloves (latex will deteriorate in the solvent) on your hands to rub the brushes clean of the oil-based paint. Rub the bristles gently, because you do not want to damage the brush. Optionally, you could use a blotting technique, where you wipe the soaked brushes on disposable paper until it runs clear. Then rinse the clean brush in the second tub to remove any paint left behind.<\/p>\n
Squeeze out excess paint thinner from the brush, and then lay it out to dry. Do not rinse these brushes.<\/p>\n
Discarding Paint<\/h2>\n So, why is it not a waste when using so much paint thinner? It can be reused if properly handled. Let the tubs sit for at least 24 hours. The paint particles and solids will drop to the bottom of the tubs. Pour the clean thinner back into the jar or can. Be careful not to shake the bucket at all, or the paint may mix back in with the thinner. Pour the paint sludge into an old can to dispose of legally.<\/p>\n
Now, I say legally because this is a very difficult task for some. People often hang onto their paint cans for years because they don\u2019t know how or don\u2019t want to be bothered disposing of them legally. Latex paints are easier to get rid of, but oil-based paints are a bit more difficult.<\/p>\n
While many people have varying ideas on the Internet (some say letting empty cans dry and tossing them is fine), there is only one safe way to do this. First off, think of the environment and then think of the legal ramifications for breaking the law. So, it\u2019s best to follow this route since it is the legal way recognized by the EPA.<\/p>\n
Given the high levels of chemicals and VOCs, oil-based paints are considered hazardous materials. Because of this, you must take paint thinners, mineral spirits, and oil paints to a hazardous treatment center. I suggest this even with empty cans that may have some residue inside. These will be properly disposed of by the treatment center. If you\u2019re unsure of where to go in your area, online sites can be very helpful, or contact your waste management services to get advice.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
I write a lot about painting. While I wouldn\u2019t call it a hobby, I find that paint can be an inexpensive and quick home renovation that I can do on my own. Plus, it\u2019s a quick fix for when you get tired of the way something looks. There are hardly any drawbacks to using paint, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":1499,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n
Oil Based Paint Drying Times - Two Make a Home<\/title>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n