The very last thing you wish to do when opening a paint can is to make a multitude within the course of. Nothing might be as annoying as cleansing up spilled paint. Moreover, you do not need the paint you simply purchased to go to waste since you had no thought the right way to open a paint can. Fortunately, we're right here to indicate you precisely the right way to open a paint can with out making a multitude.
Listed here are some strategies you should use to open paint cans.
Table of Contents
Easy methods to Open a Paint Can
a) Flat Head Screwdriver
For those who wouldn't have a painter's software, you would possibly find yourself having to improvise a paint can opener. The flat head screwdriver is one in all your greatest choices as a result of it should get your paint tasks going. Fortunately, most DIYers have flathead screwdrivers. Nonetheless, you must watch out when utilizing a screwdriver to keep away from getting paint on it, particularly when coping with a can of contemporary paint.
Place the flat fringe of the screwdriver between the lid and the rim of the can to get the lid open. Gently push the screwdriver, then gently raise as soon as it's in to take away all the lid. It's good to be certain that the can is on a flat floor since you take care of moist paint that may spill if the can is toppled over.
Whereas opening the can, it is advisable to maintain down the can simply sufficient to present the screwdriver sufficient resistance to open the lid. For those who open the lid for the primary time, the duty shouldn't be exhausting to deal with. Nonetheless, should you open the lid of an outdated can or a lately used one, the flathead screwdriver must do extra.
A trick it is advisable to know of is utilizing the screwdriver to take away the lid from the can throughout the rim. Eradicating the lid shall be simpler than eradicating just one facet if you do that. When you take away the lid, make sure you place it upside-down to keep away from smearing the paint on undesirable surfaces and maintain the paint the place it must be.
b) Paint-Can Opener
A paint can opener ought to be a extra apparent software to get. Nonetheless, it was not first on our checklist as a result of a screwdriver is extra more likely to be in your own home than a paint-can opener. Except you're a full-time painter, there may be hardly any cause why you'll personal a paint can opener. It could be good should you had one, although. Now that you can be visiting a paint retailer to get the paint, you possibly can spend additional money for the paint can opener.
With a paint can opener, you'll not discover it tough to maneuver the paint can lid. The ironmongery shop proprietor will present you the right way to open a paint can go with no trouble. Alternatively, the design of the paint can opener is fairly easy to grasp. The paint can opener has a curved tip to keep away from creating an enormous mess when opening the lid. The opener's design ensures that the lid is well lifted with none hardships.
All it is advisable to do with the software is to open one facet of the lid and proceed prying throughout the lid to make sure the lid comes off simply as soon as you're prepared to color. As soon as you buy the software, it should serve you in different tasks, and you may depend that as an funding. At the very least you're certain the software is not going to bend when coping with tough or caught lids. The software is made to face up to a sure stage of stress that different instruments may not face up to.
c) Needle Nosed Pliers
Needle-nosed pliers will want just a little little bit of a way when opening the can. The lid is not going to simply pop off if you use the pliers, and you'll have to make some cautious issues when utilizing the pliers. Each time we open a paint can, we strive our greatest to not bend the sides to make sure the can retains any remaining paint after ending the wall or some other mission.
Nonetheless, if the needle-nosed pliers are all you might have, you might have a working software. If you wish to open the lid, it is advisable to pinch the lid with the pliers. Make sure the pliers have a strong grip on the lid. As soon as the lid is firmly held, lever downwards to convey the lid up. Don't use an enormous angle that may take away the entire lid and doubtlessly create a multitude. As a substitute, use a shallow angle, however do the identical throughout the lid to step by step convey it up fastidiously and arranged. After getting opened the lid throughout, you possibly can raise it away and place it prime down on a flat floor.
This technique works nicely for a lid caught on outdated paint utilized in earlier tasks. Nonetheless, typically paint sticks on the edges of paint cans if not nicely taken care of after a mission.
d) Putty Knife
If you're about to start a portray mission however are uncertain the right way to open the lid, you possibly can flip to the putty knife for assist. The knife has seen most lids come off efficiently. Nonetheless, you must watch out when utilizing a putty knife when opening paint cans. Choose a putty knife that isn't too versatile to pry the lid simply. It is not going to get you too far when you have a versatile knife. When you get a knife that could be a bit sturdy, you're good to go.
You should utilize the knife in the identical approach you employ the screwdriver. Nonetheless, it is advisable to use the nook of the putty knife as a substitute of the entrance floor. It is because the nook is extra sturdy than the entrance floor. Use the nook of the knife to pry the lid throughout, and shortly it is possible for you to to entry the paint contained in the can. Opening an air-tight seal ought to not be an issue should you can entry a putty knife.
Easy methods to Shut the Paint Can Lid
As soon as you're performed portray the wall or mission, it is advisable to shut again the lid in case some paint is left for future use. Paint cans can comprise leftover paint for a very long time, and you should use the paint sooner or later. Nonetheless, it is advisable to make sure the can is air-tight if you re-seal it as soon as you're performed. To seal correctly, you should use the next tricks to forestall future stress when opening the paint can.
i) Clear the Extra Paint
The surplus paint on the rim lid will trigger hassle sooner or later if you attempt to open the paint can as a result of the lid shall be caught. Opening a paint can with dried paint on the edges offers you an unnecessarily exhausting time. Earlier than closing the can, you should use a paper towel to wipe off the floor of the rim. Make sure the floor is freed from any extra paint.
One simple trick to make use of to empty off the surplus paint is to create nail holes on the floor of the rim throughout the can. These holes make sure the paint drains off as quickly as it's on the rim. When many of the paint drains again by itself, you'll have a better time cleansing the floor of the rim. One other tip is to at all times faucet the paintbrush on the sting of the can to keep away from drips of paint on the floor of the rim or the ground of the room.
ii) Seal the Paint Can
When sealing the paint can, you want a rubber mallet to get the job performed. A rubber mallet is gentle on the floor and won't bend the lid. Guarantee you aren't hitting the lid too exhausting on the floor, and be light on the can. You don't want to bend the lip of the can because it provides you with hassle when opening the can sooner or later. Gently hit the lid and repeat the motion round it to present it a constant seal. The lid will stick again into the can.
Lastly, should you wouldn't have a rubber mallet, you should use a hammer to seal the paint can. Search for an outdated rag and place it on prime of the lid. Utilizing a hammer, faucet on the lid to softly shut it with out inflicting any injury to the lid. The rag creates a gentle floor that's light to the paint can. In some circumstances, you possibly can press the lid first earlier than reinforcing it with a hammer.
Ultimate Take
If you must open a paint can, you can't run out of how to do it. As a DIYer, the purpose is to unravel the challenges at hand and maintain your tasks in movement. All you want to remember is that the way you open a paint can have an effect on how you'll re-seal it and finally whether or not the paint shall be contemporary in the long term. Opening the lid fastidiously ensures that you don't create a multitude whereas at it. It's higher to get step one proper than to wash the paint off the ground, which isn't a lot enjoyable.