How Do I Keep My Coating Brushes Clean?
“I’ve begun using your coating process but am having a hard time keeping my brushes clean. After each coat I’ve dipped the brushes in the Acetone and then the brush cleaner but am seeing a build up of resin on the brushes. I spray the brushes once at the beginning of my first run and understood that that would help keep material from building up on the brushes. Any suggestions?”
As with any process that is new to you there is a learning curve. Let’s talk about the procedure to maximize the length of life each brush has. First of all, spray the lithium grease each time to apply a coating of resin to the pipe. The lithium grease will not interfere with the resin we use and repels the resin from sticking. The reason you apply it for each coat is the brush cleaner and acetone. After dipping the brushes into either the cleaner or acetone, both will strip away the grease leaving the brushes back to pre-grease application. A light coating of lithium grease will repel the poly urea from sticking although over time the brushes will begin to wear out and accumulate resin.
Next is the order and process of cleaning the brushes. First, plug your hoses then dip the brushes in the brush cleaner first. This is a paint stripper and familiarize yourself with the SDS sheets to understanding handling and care of the product. Once dipped in to the brush cleaner, spin the brush for 3 to 5 seconds to allow the cleaner to soften and remove most of the resin that is sticking. After dipping the brush in the material, raise the brush above the level of the brush cleaner and spin the brush to remove any excess brush cleaner left on the brushes. Next, dip the brushes into the acetone spinning the brushes again for 3 to 5 seconds in the solution. Raise the brushes above the acetone and spin the excess acetone off back into the bucket.
After this part of the process take a rag and wipe the brushes to remove any particles of resin that may be remaining on the brushes. If all of the resin isn’t gone at this point, take a brass wire brush and comb the brushes until the brushes are clean of any remaining resin. The better you perform this function the longer your brushes will last.
A note on the step of removing any loose resin clinging to the brushes any particles of resin that spins free will adhere to the next pass leaving bumps of resin on the surface of the pipe. If your final video shows little clumps of resin hanging on to the pipe it’s there because of the previous pass cleaning method or lack thereof. If you have any questions contact Pipe Lining Supply at 888-354-6464 or mailto:info@pipeliningsupply.com.
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