With a pair of needle nose pliers
We all like to keep leftover paint after a painting project for those ‘just in case’ moments and touch-ups; the problem is that years might pass before you need them again. This often means lids that have ‘welded’ themselves on tight with dried paint, (especially if you didn’t wipe away the paint from the lid/rim before closing it and you forgot to turn the tin upside down). Levering around the edge with a screwdriver just mangles the lids edges, leaving nothing to lever against. Then you’re super stuck!
But first: can I just make sure you’re trying to open your tin with the right tool? I find the best thing to use is a flat scraper like this…
Use a flat paint scraper; NOT a screwdriver…
OK, so you’ve tried a paint scraper and it’s STILL not coming off. Time for the big guns…
Old paint tins can become very stuck…
When faced with a paint tin lid that is definitely stuck and it’s resisting all efforts with a wide blade; there is one tool that works a treat. Needle or thin nosed pliers.
I use my trusty leathermans pliers for this as they’re always to hand.
Simply pinch the paint tin lid with the end of the pliers, holding them at a shallow angle from the tin and lever downwards keeping a tight grip on the pliers to prevent the jaws opening and ‘letting go’ of the tin lid. Work your way around the rim levering up the lid a little at a time until it pops off.
Holding the pliers at a shallow angle, pinch the lid and lever down
To avoid future paint lid problems, one of the best tips when storing paint is to pour the leftover paint into a smaller container to minimise the amount of air over the paint. For example storing a quarter full tin of paint is asking for a thick skin to form; far better to pour it into a glass jar and pop some cling film over before screwing the lid on tight. Oh, and don’t forget to label the jar with the paint type and where it was used.
What are your experiences when storing paint? Do you have success by storing them upside down, or have you tried the trick of breathing into half empty tins three times to fill it with carbon dioxide rich air before closing?
Stay well
Ian
Comments 11
My lid was so tight that the pliers-method bent the outermost lip of the tin itself. I made a puddle of water on the lid and left an ice brick in it to contract the lid. Th e pliers worked then.
Author
That’s clever!
I was talking to a guy only yesterday and he swears by using cling film, he pulls off a big piece and pushes it down onto the top of the paint, excluding any air and then up and over the rim before tapping the lid on. Might give it a try, but surely the tight lid just cuts off the cling film?
Glad you got the lid off in the end and thanks for the tip,
Stay well
Ian
An easy way to deal with paint from an old tin which won’t seal -or- just a partial can is to pour it into a plastic coffee can.
The CONS: It’s not fancy and the lid can easily pop off if you’re not careful.
HOWEVER- (PROS) It’s easy to cut or tear off old paint label with the necessary info and tape it or a handwritten paper label around coffee can with clear packing tape.
To protect against accidental spills, duct tape over the lid and wrap around the underside of the can twice -OR- place the can in a sound bag tied shut or with a twist tie.
I’ve done this for at least 15 years while doing a considerable amount of painting and have had good results. Coffee cans often have a moulded hand grip.
It’s “easy” to have a lid pop off so if you’re unable to be careful don’t do it.
I didn’t have needle-nosed pliers so used the small regular pliers that I have, and it worked. Thank you. And love the plastic overlay idea.
Author
You’re most welcome Linda, glad you managed to get it off!
Cheers
Ian
Great website! We just introduced a product called Cansealid that solves the exact frustrations you’re all having. It’s a durable, flexible silicone paint can lid that fits tight on your large paint cans. It keeps your paint fresh with its patented air tight seal, it’s easy to remove because your paint doesn’t stick, and it’s stackable as it has a ridge around the edge so it doesn’t take up much storage space. It’s also reusable. Check us out! http://www.cansealid.com. We’re available to buy on amazon.ca and amazon.com.
If you want to remove a paint tin lid on a used can of paint easily, it is best to place a plastic bag over the can and then firmly tap the lid into place over the plastic bag. This makes it very easy to remove the lid next time you want to open the tin.
Author
That’s a great way to stopping the lids getting stuck in the first place Basil, if only everyone did this!
Thanks for stopping by
Ian
Broke the needle nose pliers =/
Author
Oh no! That tin lid is really stuck. Better luck next time!
Thanks for that advise..just what I needed! I put my extra paint in mason jars and label them with painters tape. Really cuts down on storage space and at Walmart they are cheap ..about 10 jars for 4 bucks..