Best Paint Brush Combs and Cleaning Tools
Quick answer
A paint brush comb is a toothed tool that pulls wet or dried paint out from the base of the bristles, which is where paint hides and a brush goes stiff. A basic plastic or metal comb costs a few dollars and extends the life of every brush you own. For most painters a simple comb plus a wire brush for hardened paint covers nearly all cleanup. Our panel test is in progress; this guide ranks cleaning tools by published specifications, price, and documented performance.
Key takeaways
- A brush comb reaches paint packed at the heel of the bristles.
- Purdy and Wooster combs are inexpensive and widely available.
- A painter’s 5-in-1 tool adds a comb edge plus scraping functions.
- Clean brushes while the paint is wet, since dried paint is far harder to remove.
Quick verdict
Paint collects at the heel of a brush, where the bristles meet the ferrule, and rinsing alone rarely reaches it. A brush comb’s teeth slip between the bristles and drag that paint out, then straighten the filaments so the brush dries back into shape. It is one of the cheapest tools in a kit and one of the few that pays for itself by making brushes last.
A basic comb is enough for most water-based paint cleanup. If you occasionally deal with dried or oil-based paint, a wire brush or a multi-tool with a comb edge adds scraping reach. See how brush care fits overall tool selection on our painting tools hub.
Products tested
These cleaning tools are common at paint and hardware retailers. Prices are approximate retail ranges and shift by season.
| Tool | Design | Approx. price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purdy Brush Comb | Plastic comb, angled teeth | $3-$7 | Wet latex paint cleanup |
| Wooster Brush Comb | Plastic comb with wire bristle side | $4-$8 | Wet and lightly dried paint |
| Wooster 5-in-1 Painters Tool | Multi-tool with comb edge and scraper | $5-$12 | Comb, scrape and open cans |
| Shur-Line Brush Comb | Plastic comb, compact | $3-$6 | Small and sash brushes |
| Wire Brush and Roller Cleaner | Metal wire bristle brush | $4-$9 | Hardened, dried paint |
How we tested
We score cleaning tools on tooth spacing, reach, material, and versatility. Tooth spacing determines which brush sizes the comb fits; wider spacing suits thick wall brushes while fine spacing suits sash brushes. Reach is how deep the teeth can work toward the ferrule, which is where paint packs first. Material covers whether the tool resists solvent and repeated flexing, and versatility accounts for extra functions like a scraper edge or can opener.
Brush construction and what to look for before you even clean one are covered on our paint brushes page and in our brush testing methodology.
Test results
Our panel test is in progress, so this guide ranks by published specifications, price, and documented performance rather than measured numbers we do not have. The Purdy and Wooster combs sit within a few dollars of each other and both handle wet latex cleanup, with the Wooster adding a wire-bristle side for lightly dried paint. The 5-in-1 tool leads on versatility because its comb edge is paired with a scraper and can opener that many painters already carry. A wire brush stays in reserve for a brush left to dry hard, since no plastic comb alone recovers fully hardened paint without solvent. For oil-based paints, use the matching solvent and comb before the paint sets, since rework after it hardens is rarely worth the effort.
Best by use case
- Everyday latex cleanup: Purdy Brush Comb.
- Wet and lightly dried paint: Wooster Brush Comb with its wire side.
- One tool for comb, scrape and open: Wooster 5-in-1 Painters Tool.
- Hardened old paint: a wire brush for dried, stubborn residue.
Buying criteria
- Check the tooth spacing against your brush sizes, especially if you use sash brushes.
- Choose a comb with a comfortable grip, since you will drag it under pressure.
- Consider a wire-bristle side if you sometimes let paint dry between sessions.
- Verify the tool resists the solvent you use, usually water or mineral spirits.
- Store brushes flat or hanging bristles-down so water does not pool in the ferrule.
Application tips
- Rinse the brush first to remove loose paint while it is still wet.
- Work the comb from the ferrule toward the tips to drag out packed paint.
- Rinse again and repeat until the water or solvent runs clear.
- Straighten the bristles with the comb and hang or lay the brush flat to dry.
Watch out
Pulling a comb from the tips toward the ferrule can jam paint deeper into the heel and splay the bristles. Always comb from the ferrule outward, and soften dried paint with the right solvent before you scrape hard.
Final recommendation
Buy a Purdy or Wooster brush comb and use it every time you clean a brush, and your brushes will keep their shape far longer. Add a 5-in-1 tool if you want the comb edge plus a scraper in one handle. If your project involves small touch-ups afterward, our paint touch-up kits page covers the containers and mini tools to keep on hand.
What does a paint brush comb do?
How often should I comb my brushes?
Can a brush comb remove dried paint?
Is a 5-in-1 painter’s tool worth it?
PaintReviews buys the products it tests at retail. Manufacturer-supplied samples are labeled and tested under the same protocol. Some links may be affiliate links that support testing; they never change rankings. See our commercial disclosure policy.