“Enamel” is not a type of paint. Instead, it describes how some paints look: smooth, shiny, and harder than other similar paints.
There are enamels that are made with water, enamels that are made with oil, enamels that are made with lacquer, and maybe even some others that we don’t know about.
So, use the right medium for each of these:
- Acrylics and latexes that are water-based need water.
- Use paint thinner or turpentine for oil-based paints and alkyd paints.
- Lacquer thinner for lacquer enamels
- Once you finish painting the Enamel paint dries hard and usually shiny. Most paint is made with oil, but varnish can also be a part of it. Enamel paint is used in the home to cover surfaces where there is a lot of moisture or grease fumes, like the bathroom or kitchen, because it can be cleaned with warm soapy water.
Brushes used to apply enamel paint need to be cleaned well, because if the paint dries in the bristles, the brush will no longer work. Unlike water-based paints, enamel paint brushes can’t be cleaned with warm water alone. They need to be cleaned in a different way first.
Enamel paint is a type of paint that dries hard and usually shiny
Brushes used to apply enamel paint need to be cleaned well, because if the paint dries in the bristles, will no longer be able to paint from the paint brushes.
You can buy a white spirit brush cleaner at any hardware store or paint store. Pour about 2 inches into a clean, empty can that is wide enough to hold the dirty brush.
Set the brush on a piece of newspaper and run the back of an old knife or scraper gently along the bristles from the top to the bottom to get rid of any extra paint. Put the dirty brush in the can with the bristles that need to be cleaned facing down and let it soak for 20 to 30 minutes.
Holding the brush by the handle, work the solvent all the way through the bristles to get the enamel paint out. Hold the bristles under a warm faucet and let the solvent run out.
A brush that has been cleaned well looks as good as new. It should be done again with a new can of white spirit cleaner. When all the solvent is gone, wash the brush in warm soapy water, rinse, shake off the water, and hang it up to dry.
White spirit cleaner is used to clean brushes. Store it in a jar with a screw top. The paint will sink to the bottom of the jar, and the solvent can be poured out and used again and again.
When You Should Use Enamel Paint
Before we give you our step-by-step guide on how to clean enamel paint off your paintbrushes, let’s look at when enamel paint is best to use.
In the past, enamel paint was made from oil, but in recent years, companies have made enamel paint that is made from water. This paint dries quickly and is easier to clean.
Not sure if enamel paint is right for your next painting job? Here are some surfaces and materials that enamel paint works well on:
Small jobs around the house
You can use enamel paint inside, but the fumes might make you only want to use it for small projects. You could use enamel to give your window sills, wooden shelves, or metal frames a shiny finish. Enamel will cover most surfaces, and when it dries, it becomes hard and shiny, almost like glass.
Models of cars, planes, and people
Use enamel paint for small projects and to touch up small spots. Enamel paint dries hard and shiny, which means it will give your models a bright finish.
Floors: Enamel paint can be used on both wood and concrete floors. Since enamel has such a hard finish when it’s dry, it makes a strong layer of protection for your floors that keeps the ground below from getting scratched or worn down.
Reusing old furniture
You want to add some color to an old bench you have? Or do you want to make your porch furniture look better?
Enamel paint is a great choice for painting outdoor furniture because it sticks well to most materials and lasts a long time. You can also paint furniture inside with enamel paint if you want to.
Almost anywhere can be painted with enamel paint, but the results will depend on where you use it. For example, you can use enamel paint to paint the inside of your walls, but you should think about whether you want them to look hard and shiny.
Enamel paint also gives off strong-smelling fumes that can last for a long time. Because of this, it is not always the best choice for big projects inside.
How to Clean Model Railway Tracks
Keeping your model railway tracks clean is crucial for smooth operations and overall longevity of the system. Dirt and grime can lead to erratic train movements, so regular maintenance is key. Here’s how to effectively clean your tracks:
Essential Cleaning Tools
- Track Cleaners: A specialized track cleaning tool is a must-have. These are designed to gently remove the build-up of dirt without causing damage to your tracks.
- Rubber Track Erasers: These work like pencil erasers on pencil marks, rubbing away stubborn grime from the rails.
- Rubbing Alcohol or Isopropyl Alcohol: Ideal for dissolving oils and dirt. Be sure to use a soft cloth or cotton swab to apply.
- Microfiber Cloths: Gentle on the rails and perfect for a final polish after cleaning, ensuring that no residue is left behind.
Step-by-Step Cleaning Process
- Initial Wipe Down: Use a microfiber cloth to remove loose dust and debris from the tracks.
- Deep Cleaning: Apply rubbing alcohol to a cloth or cotton swab, and gently wipe the rails. Make sure to clean both the tops and sides of the track for thorough results.
- Eraser Method: For persistent grime, use the track rubber eraser. Apply moderate pressure, rubbing along the rails until the metal shines.
- Final Shine: Go over the tracks again with a dry microfiber cloth to remove any remaining cleaner and to polish the rails.
Maintenance Tips
- Regular Checks: Perform regular checks and cleanings based on how frequently you use your railway.
- Environment Control: Keep your setup away from dusty environments, and cover it when not in use to minimize dirt accumulation.
By keeping your model railway tracks clean, you’ll ensure better connectivity and a smoother ride for your trains, enhancing the overall lifespan of your setup. Happy railroading!
How to Clean Enamel Off Paint Brushes?
You probably use a paintbrush to apply paint to your project, whether you are painting an fix model or giving all of your garden furniture a new look. We’ve already said that enamel paint dries hard on everything, including your paint brushes is easy to remove.
If you are using enamel paint that is water-based, you can clean your acrylic paintbrushes easily with warm soapy water. Once all the paint is off the brush, wrap the bristles in a piece of newspaper so they dry flat and straight and are ready to use the next time.
But cleaning paint brushes which are oil-based enamel paint off of paintbrushes takes a little more work, and you’ll need a few important things to do it.
When you want to clean enamel paint off your brushes, you’ll need the following things:
- A flat knife
- A clean, big trash can
- White liquors
- Soapy warm water
- A jar with a lid that screws on
- Once you move the remaining paint of take the brushes and start cleaning with water and sprits remove water and dry.
