Pipe Coating and Pipe Cleaning: Two Simple Hacks to Secure Your Brushes

When it comes to pipe coating or pipe cleaning, one of the most common frustrations is dealing with a brush that doesn’t stay properly secured on the shaft. If the set screw that holds the brush strips, the flex shaft will spin without actually moving the brush. This makes the work less effective and can even damage the equipment over time.

To avoid this issue, here are two simple but effective hacks that can help you keep your pipe cleaning brushes and pipe coating brushes firmly in place.

Hack 1: Rubber Washers for a Secure Fit

A quick and inexpensive way to stop your brush from slipping during pipe cleaning or pipe coating is to use rubber washers along with standard brush locks.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Slide a rubber washer onto the shaft.
2. Place your pipe cleaning or pipe coating brush onto the shaft.
3. Add another rubber washer on the other side of the brush.
4. Tighten everything using your brush locks.

The rubber acts like a cushion and creates extra friction. Even if the set screw loosens or strips, the rubber prevents the coating brush from slipping. At the same time, the brush locks keep everything tight.

This method works for any type of brush and is especially useful when working on long pipe coating jobs where you need your equipment to stay reliable from start to finish.

Hack 2: Adapting Pipe Coating Brushes to Different Shaft Sizes

Another challenge in pipe coating and cleaning is when your brush doesn’t match the shaft diameter. Instead of purchasing new equipment, you can use a simple spacer made from silicone or plastic tubing.

Here’s the step-by-step process:

1. Measure the shaft and brush diameters. For example, you may have an 8mm (5/16″) shaft but a 10mm brush.
2. Get a piece of silicone or gummy-style plastic tubing from a hardware store.
3. Cut the tubing to length and slide it over the smaller shaft.
4. Place the larger coating brush onto the tubing-covered shaft.
5. Tighten the set screws as usual.

The tubing fills the gap between the brush and the shaft, allowing the set screws to grip tightly. This creates a smooth and secure spin, making your pipe cleaning brush or pipe coating brush perform like it was designed for that shaft size.

Why These Hacks Matter

Both hacks are inexpensive, quick to set up, and extend the life of your brushes and shafts. Whether you’re doing pipe cleaning to remove debris or pipe coating to apply a protective lining, having a secure brush is essential for efficiency and quality results.

By using rubber washers or silicone tubing, you avoid downtime, prevent costly mistakes, and make sure your coating brushes work exactly the way you need them to.

Final Thoughts

If you’re working with pipe coating or pipe cleaning equipment, keeping your brushes secure on the shaft is a must. These two simple hacks—using rubber washers or adapting the shaft with silicone tubing—can save you time, reduce frustration, and ensure your coating brush performs at its best.

With just a few inexpensive parts from a hardware store, you can make your pipe work smoother, faster, and more reliable.

For a step-by-step demonstration of these hacks, check out our videos on securing a coating brush with rubber washers and adapting brushes to different shaft sizes.