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Finishing - Drain Tubes - Cleanup

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Just got through running my first rod thru my drain tube. Have a question for you all.  How often do you clean the whole tube or just the valve after doing a coating.  (Jim Tefft)

I used a setup that would allow me to take the entire valve off and submerge it in a jar of mineral spirits between drains. The tube was never cleaned, although I only used it a couple times before messing with another method.  (Jeff Schaeffer)

I use a fluorescent light protector as a drain tube and I don't clean it.  The valve is brass and I disassemble it at the end of the day and soak it overnight in a jar of mineral spirits.  (Ed Riddle)

For those of you who use drip tubes with other than water-based finishes, what method do you use to clean the inside of the tube after draining?  (Louis DeVos)

After it is drained, I just pour a cup of turps into it. Let it sit for a while and then drain that.

That’s all I do. It may be worth plunging the valve into a jar of turps and keeping the valve open to clean it out but I have not found it necessary to do so yet.  (Stephen Dugmore)

I do not bother cleaning them at all. I use the cheap fluorescent bulb covers and toss them when they get too thick and start over with new ones. In most cases the varnish just hardens and is not an issue.  (Bill Bixler)

Bill, I am with you don’t bother just start again with a new one.  (Gary Nicholson)

If you use PVC (can't remember what they're called, Female 2" to female 1/2" threaded, or something like that) you can just unscrew the old valve, clean it out and reuse it.

Throw the rest away.  (Terry Kirkpatrick)

I am switching from water based poly to a spar urethane, but the inside of my clear PVC tube has some water based poly stuck to it.  Any ideas of a solvent for that stuff?  I have tried very hot water but that hasn't work.  Thanks.  (Louis DeVos)

I don't think there is anything that will get dried poly off PVC except scraping, sanding etc., which is not viable in this case.  I don't think you need to remove it at all, but if it bothers you just get a new tube.  (Neil Savage)

Cured urethane finishes are very chemical resistant.  Even water based finishes.  That which will remove the finish will dissolve the PVC.  (Al Baldauski)