How to clean up after painting?

Question

Latex:

I have a rinse bucket (5 gal.) that accumulates a latex sludge on the bottom. What type of filter/filtering jig could I use to get that water as pollutant free as possible for dumping it down the drain?

The water tends to mildew over time. Any way to prevent this?


Oil and latex:

I use a fabric softener and water mixture for keeping the brushes soft. This is the last stage of clean up in the cases of either type of paint being used.

This mixture likes to build up a mildew looking skin on the top surface...any ideas? I'm not too crazy about the idea of simply dumping fabric softener, water, and latex/oil residues down the drain.

Answer 1

Stretch panty hose over a bucket and pour the liquid through it to strain the latex residue.

For you 2nd question - let the liquid air-evaporate and then take the container to a waste disposal center.

Answer 2

Latex:

If it's not a lot, simply leave the open bucket out in the sun and let it dry for a few days. Once it's cured you can peel it right out of the bucket and throw it away. There's also a hardening agent that you can buy at your local paint stores (here in California anyway) that you can add to latex paint. Takes about 30 minutes to solidify it. From there just throw it in the trash.

Oils:

Thinner and brush cleaner.

Unfortunately, some of it will find its way down the drain if you choose to clean anything. It's unavoidable.

Answer 3

I've been painting for over fifty years. I always wash my brushes in warm water and rise them until the water is clear, then brush them lightly with a steel brush and spray them with WD-40 and put them away after wrapping them with a cloth to keep them from getting full of junk. I've had two "Purdy" brushes for over twenty-five years and one "Purdy" brush for over forty five years, I got his one from a friend.

I don't use oils that much anymore but, when I do I clean the brush in the same manner then wash it with warm soapy water. My son goes to the dump they take these pollutants for everyone and dispose of them. The garbage collector takes them on certain days also.

All our drain oil, everything goes this way.

Answer 4

I live in the country and do LOTS of painting. Never thought about a disposal problem because we take it outside and pour it on the ground in an out of way place or on top of gravel driveway. We never pour it close to the creek or house. this doesn't answer your question, but it really made me think about what city people do.