Submerge brushes or rollers in water between coats (latex only)

Place wet brushes or roller covers in a container of water to block air contact and keep latex paint from skinning over. Works well for breaks of a few hours to overnight with water-based paints.

Steps

1. Scrape excess paint from the brush or roller.
2. Place the brush bristles-down or the roller cover (removed from the frame) into a bucket, jar, or pail.
3. Add just enough water to fully submerge the bristles or roller nap. Keep the handle dry.
4. When ready to resume, remove the applicator, shake off excess water, and blot thoroughly with a rag before loading paint.

Tips

• Never use with oil-based paints -- water and oil-based paint are not compatible
• Blot well before resuming to avoid diluting paint on the first few strokes
• A tall narrow container keeps brush bristles straight and prevents splaying