Pipe Coating and Pipe Cleaning Hacks: How to Keep Your Brushes Secure

If you’ve ever done pipe coating or pipe cleaning, you’ll know how frustrating it can be when a brush won’t stay firmly attached to the shaft. A stripped set screw means the flex shaft spins freely while the brush barely moves, wasting effort and potentially damaging your tools.

Fortunately, there are two simple tricks you can use to make sure your pipe coating brushes and pipe cleaning brushes remain securely in place.

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Hack 1: Locking with Rubber Washers

One of the easiest ways to stop a brush from slipping is by pairing rubber washers with your usual brush locks.

Here’s the method:

• Slide a rubber washer onto the shaft.
• Position your pipe cleaning or coating brush next.
• Place another rubber washer on the opposite side of the brush.
• Tighten it all together using your brush locks.

The rubber adds grip and cushioning. Even if the set screw loosens or strips, the washers stop the coating brush from sliding. The brush locks then keep everything firmly in place.

This quick fix works with almost any brush and is especially helpful on long pipe coating projects, where consistent performance matters.

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Hack 2: Fitting Pipe Coating Brushes to Different Shaft Diameters

Another common issue in pipe cleaning and coating is a mismatch between brush size and shaft size. Luckily, you don’t need to buy a new brush—you can create a snug fit using a short piece of plastic or silicone tubing.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Measure your shaft and brush diameters. For example, you may have an 8mm (5/16”) shaft but a 10mm brush.
2. Cut a small piece of silicone or flexible plastic tubing.
3. Slide the tubing over the shaft.
4. Fit the larger brush onto the tubing-covered shaft.
5. Tighten the set screws as usual.

The tubing works as a spacer, giving the set screws something solid to grip. This way, the brush turns smoothly and stays secure, making your pipe cleaning brush or pipe coating brush perform just like it was designed for that shaft.

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Why These Simple Fixes Help

Both of these methods are inexpensive, quick, and extend the life of your shafts and brushes. Whether you’re cleaning buildup from a line or applying a protective coating, keeping your brush secure means better results and less downtime.

Using rubber washers or silicone tubing not only saves money but also makes your pipe coating brushes more reliable on the job.

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Conclusion

If you work with pipe coating or pipe cleaning equipment, it’s worth knowing these two straightforward hacks. Rubber washers prevent slippage, while silicone tubing allows you to adapt brushes to different shaft sizes. Together, they save time, prevent frustration, and help your coating brushes deliver consistent results.

With just a few parts from a hardware store, you can keep your pipe maintenance jobs running smoother, faster, and more efficiently.

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