Get coiffed with the brush comb

At a remodeling job several years ago, I met a pro painter who gave me some valuable advice—always buy the most expensive paintbrushes I could afford, and clean them properly after each use.

If I did that, he said, the brushes would last me a lifetime.

Well, up until then I used to buy cheap paintbrushes, use them a few times, then toss them out.

I tried cleaning them, but no matter what I did, the bristles always ended up as stiff as ping-pong paddles. 

When I mentioned this to the painter, he introduced me to the brush comb.

This ingeniously simple tool consists of a 7-inch-long handle that's studded with 18 super-sharp steel teeth. Each 1-inch-long tooth is about the diameter of a four-penny finishing nail.

He gives his brushes a comb-out immediately after cleaning them. After rinsing the brush in paint thinner or water, the comb is raked through the bristles 15 or 20 times.

The steel teeth effectively straighten and detangle the bristles, clean out any residual paint, and leave the brush in near-perfect condition.

After that conversation with the painter, I went out and bought myself a brush comb (for less than $3) and can attest that it does indeed extend the life of a paintbrush.

I've got six brushes that are more than five years old, and although the handles are paint spattered and worn, the bristles are as clean and supple as the day I bought the brushes.

More paint brushes:

Here's how Norm takes care of his best brushes.

Which brush when? See our gallery of synthetic, natural, and even ox-hair brushes.

And while we're at it, here's how to paint a room in a weekend.

Plus, another pro secret: Rolling with a screen, not a tray.