How to Open a Paint Can {With No Mess!}

In case you’re trying to discover ways to open a paint can – and shut a paint can – with no mess, you’re in the correct spot!

In case you’re new to DIY, generally even probably the most simple duties can really feel, nicely, actually intimidating. New owners might discover that they don’t even know the place to start on tackling easy tasks round the home.

And, in the event you’re new to portray, you could end up feeling defeated earlier than you even start. The place is that fancy paint can opener instrument once more? And what do I do if I misplaced it? And why do I make such an enormous mess each time I shut my paint can?!

Effectively, do you know there’s a easy method to open a paint can (and shut it) with no mess, no fancy instruments, and no stress?

It’s simple, I promise.

There’s no query too primary right here, so in the present day we’re tackling open a paint can.

When you’ve bought the paint can open, you'll be able to click on right here to discover ways to paint a room!

Find out how to Open a paint can: Video tutorial

To shortly and simply open a paint can lid, all you really want is a flat head screwdriver.

No, you don’t want that fancy paint opener that you just’re continually shedding. Only a screwdriver will do!

To open your paint can, all it's worthwhile to do is wedge the tip of your screwdriver into the lip of the can. Then, gently push down on the deal with of the screwdriver. This helps start to push the lid up and releases a number of the stress.

Take away the screwdriver and repeat that course of 3-Four occasions across the whole lid of the can. After you gently raise in just a few totally different locations, the lid will pop proper off!

Will I get paint on my screwdriver?

No! The screwdriver gained’t be coming into contact with any moist paint. So, it ought to keep completely clear. In case you’re working with an older paint can that’s a bit of soiled, there’s an opportunity you’ll get a little bit of dried paint on the screwdriver. However it ought to have the ability to wipe proper off with a paper towel or previous rag.

The paint can lid might need a little bit of paint on it, so make sure you shortly flip it the other way up and place it on a secure space. It will assist stop any drips in your work floor.

I can’t discover my screwdriver! What else can I exploit to open my paint can?

In case you’re in a rush and may’t monitor down your flat head screwdriver, you've loads of different choices. Listed here are just a few different issues I’ve used to open paint cans over time:

• A putty knife
• A 6-in-1 painter’s instrument
• An paint can opener
• And, in the event you’re actually in a pinch, you need to use a plain previous bread knife!

It doesn't matter what instrument you’re utilizing, the method is precisely the identical. Simply wedge the flat a part of your instrument between the lid and the can and gently press in opposition to it till you launch the stress and open up the can! You simply want one thing that may give you a bit of leverage!

How do I open these fancy behr paint can lids?

My favourite paint model, Behr, has not too long ago launched a new line of paint can lids that may be a bit of, um, complicated in the event you haven’t labored with them earlier than!

However, no stress as a result of these are even simpler to open and use than a conventional paint can!

The Behr paint can lids have little twist-top holes on one aspect of them that permit for very easy pouring. To open a Behr paint can lid, simply twist off that prime. You’ll be left with a gap within the lid of your can. Now, seize the spout that they’ll provide you with together with your paint. You possibly can twist that onto the opening and now you've a very easy-to-use spout prepared for no-mess pouring!

In fact, in the event you don’t wish to use the no-mess spout, you don’t must! You possibly can nonetheless open the paint can lid the standard method (with a screwdriver, putty knife, or a paint key), and it'll perform precisely the identical. These lids are plastic as a substitute of metallic, so I discover they’re typically even simpler to get off!

Assist! How do I take away the metallic clips from my paint can?

Some paint cans will include metallic clips across the prime – that is actually widespread once you’ve ordered paint or stain on-line!

These little metallic clips are a bit of annoying, I’ll admit. However, fortunately, they’re very simple to take away with the identical instrument you’re already utilizing – a flat head screwdriver!

All it's worthwhile to do is press the tip of the flat head screwdriver into any hole you'll be able to see between the clips and the can. Then, gently transfer the screwdriver deal with up and down till they pop off!

The one factor to look out for right here is that generally these items can fly off in the event you aren’t cautious. So, be ready for flying metallic clips. So long as you progress slowly and steadily, nevertheless, they just do pop off and you'll open the paint can as regular!

how do you shut a paint can?

Now this is the million greenback query. How on this planet do you shut a paint can lid with out splattering your self – and all the things in a 10-foot radius – in paint?!

All you want is an previous towel or rag and a hammer or a rubber mallet.

I prefer to maintain a stash of previous towels and rags in my storage always for jobs identical to this. However in the event you don’t have any previous towels that may be relegated to the storage, you should buy some store towels – I promise you’ll end up utilizing them on a regular basis!

Earlier than you set the lid again on the paint, I like to recommend operating your paintbrush (or, in the event you’re feeling lazy and don’t thoughts washing your arms, simply use your finger!) across the rim of the can to assist take away extra paint and get it again into the can.

As soon as the surplus paint has been cleared out, seize no matter towel or rag you wish to use. Put the lid again on the highest of the paint can. Then, drape the rag over the paint can and lid. Then, use the hammer to faucet across the edges of the paint can lid to re-seal it!

The rag helps stop all of these flying paint splatters and helps maintain the mess contained. Remember to use one that you just don’t thoughts getting soiled (as a result of it will get paint on it), and make sure you take away it straight away so it doesn’t dry and get caught to the paint can!

It’s very essential to correctly shut your paint cans as a result of in the event you don’t the paint can dry out and be ruined. If you wish to ensure you at all times have recent paint once you want it, getting an air-tight seal on the paint can is crucial.

wait…I can’t discover my hammer!

No worries – in the event you can’t discover a hammer to shut your paint can lid, you need to use actually something that’s heavy and onerous.

I’ve used the deal with finish of my screwdriver, an influence instrument battery, one other paint can, and even a (non-breakable) cup! You simply want one thing that gained’t break once you hit it in opposition to the paint can lid and may basically perform as a hammer!

And that, my pals, is all the things it's worthwhile to find out about open a paint can! Have one other primary DIY query you’d like to see me deal with? Drop it within the feedback under!

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