Painting a wall or any household project is fun and many of us prefer to do it on our own. From choosing the right color to moving our paint brush across the wall, the process is time consuming but exciting at the same time.
A common struggle that the majority of us when it comes to painting projects is opening the paint can or bucket. There are often instances when we have to wrestle the can to open it and this ruins the bucket or creates a mess that requires vigorous cleaning.
So, which is the right way of opening a paint bucket without ruining it or making it look like a paint warzone? Well, we have the solution to this struggle for you. In this guide, we will discuss some of the easiest methods on how to open a paint bucket.
Ways On How To Open A Paint Bucket
There are quite a few ways in which you can open a paint bucket or can easily by following some simple steps. Let us take a look at the methods of opening a paint bucket.
Paint Can Opener
Using a paint can opener is the easiest way of opening the lid of a paint can and prevents a mess as well.
Required Items
- Paint can
- Paint can opener
Steps
- Set the paint can over a piece of cloth on a hard surface.
- Take your paint can opener and place the flat end in the gap between the lid and the body of the can.
- Slightly push the paint can opener upwards.
- Repeat the same process at multiple intervals of the cover.
- The top will eventually pop off from the can.
- Remove it carefully to open the can fully and place aside.
Clips
There are many paint cans available in the market that are secured with clips to make sure that the paint inside remains intact and does not dry easily. Here are the steps on how to open a paint can with clips.
Required Items
- Paint can with clips
- Flat head screwdriver
Steps
- Place your paint can with clips over a hard surface.
- Take a flat head screwdriver and place it in the gap underneath the arch of the clip.
- Apply a small amount of pressure and push the end of the screwdriver up to pop up the clip.
- Move to the next clip once the first one pops open and repeat the process with all the clips.
- Remove the lid after you have successfully unlocked all the clips.
Putty Knife
Another effective way of opening paint lids is to use a putty knife. While the two methods mentioned above are suitable for paint cans, the putty knife trick works for both cans and buckets.
Required Items
- Paint bucket or can
- Putty Knife
Steps
- Place your bucket or can of paint over a hard, flat surface.
- Take your putty knife and place it in between the lid of the paint container.
- Apply pressure and lift the cover upwards.
- Move the putty knife around the lid and apply pressure to lift it.
- Remove the top carefully once it comes off.
Tip: When it comes to picking a putty knife to open a paint bucket, make sure that you choose one with a stiff head. Putty knives that are bendy will not be able to apply the right pressure, causing the entire operation to result into a paint mess and can also ruin the lid.
Screwdriver
The use of a screwdriver is the most common way that professionals and DIY painters use in case there is no access to a paint can opener. While the process is easy to follow, it is essential to make sure that you use a sturdy flat head screwdriver to ensure proper pressure on the cover of the paint can.
Required Items
- Flat head screwdriver
- Paint can
Steps
- Take your bucket of paint and place it on a hard surface or table.
- Choose a flat head screwdriver and wedge it in the gap between the top and the can.
- Lift the can by applying pressure with the screwdriver until it breaks the seal between the can and the lid.
- Repeat the same process multiple times along the surface to make sure that it comes off easily.
- Once it pops up completely, gently remove it to ensure a mess free paint can open.
Caution: Make sure that you apply the pressure on the lid carefully to avoid dents on the cap of the bucket. If it is warped or dented, then you will not be able to close the can back in case you need to store the paint.
Paint Lid Wrench
Last but not least, we will talk about how to use the paint lid wrench to open a bucket of paint. While the other methods we have discussed so far are typically used to open quarts, cans, and buckets of paint, the wrench is usually used for large gallon buckets of paint.
Required Items
- Paint bucket
- Paint lid wrench
Steps
- Set the paint bucket on a secure place
- Take the paint lid wrench and set it between the lower end of the wrench between the gap of the cap and the bucket.
- Pry open the top by applying pressure upwards.
- Repeat the same process all around the can until it comes off.
- Take it off carefully and you will have a mess free paint bucket in hand.
How To Open An Old Paint Can?
Opening an old paint can is not always the easiest process. If the paint can have never been opened before and been waiting on your shelf or in the store for long, then you can use the steps we have discussed earlier to open the can.
However, if it is a can of leftover paint that you have closed and stored after use, then opening it can be a bit messy and complicated. The best way of opening an old paint can is to use a paint can opener or a lid wrench.
How To Open A 5 Gallon Paint Bucket?
We often use a 5 gallon paint bucket, especially when it comes to working on big painting projects. Even though the steps and methods of opening a 5 gallon paint bucket is similar to that of opening a quart or one gallon bucket, it is heavier and has a greater chance of making a mess.
You can use any of the methods we have discussed above to open a 5 gallon bucket, but experts usually recommend the use of a paint lid wrench to open it properly without any trouble.
How To Open A Paint Can With Plastic Lid?
The majority of paint cans in the market use a plastic cover to avoid denting or warping when opened. You can use a screwdriver or a putty knife to open the plastic lid in case you do not have a can opener in hand.
Get the putty knife or screwdriver and wedge it between the lid and the can. Apply pressure upwards to pry it open and repeat the process along the surface until it pops open completely.
How To Open A Paint Can Without An Opener?
Even though the easiest way of opening a paint can is to use an opener, there are quite a few other ways that you can use to ensure a proper and clean can opening. You can use a putty knife or a flat head screwdriver to open a paint can or bucket without making any sort of mess by following a few easy steps.
How To Reseal A Paint Can Or Bucket?
There are often instances when you have leftover paint in the can or bucket after completing a painting project. Now, throwing away the paint is not reasonable as it costs money and can be used for a project later.
In cases like these, resealing a paint can or bucket is important to make sure that the paint does not dry. If the lid is made up of plastic, then you close it easily by fitting it in place and applying pressure to seal it properly.
However, a lot of lids are made up on tin and in cases like these, the method of closing the can is a bit different. Place the cap over the can in place and put a cloth over it. Hit it with a hammer or mallet to close the can perfectly so that the paint inside remains intact.
An important tip when it comes to tin lids is that you have to open them carefully at the beginning to make sure that these are not dented or warped in any way. Otherwise, the paint inside the can will dry easily as the damaged lid will not close accurately. In addition to that, make sure that you clean the edges of the can before closing it to make sure that the cover does not get stuck.
Frequently Asked Questions – FAQ
Can You Open A Stuck Paint Jar?
When we move to close a paint jar after completing a painting project, we often close the cover with paint dripping down the edges without cleaning them. Over time, the paint dries and causes the lid to stuck in place, making it quite hard to open the can back again.
You can still open a stuck paint jar but you have to follow a few additional steps. Before you try to open the lid, use a paint scraper to remove the dried paint from the edges and use an opener or other tools to open the jar.
How To Store Leftover Paint?
Storing leftover paint is an easy process and will make sure that your paint stays intact on the shelves for a long time. Before closing the paint can, wipe off the excess paint from the edges to prevent the lid from being stuck to the jar. Place the cover properly and tightly to make sure that air cannot enter the jar or it will dry the paint. Keep the jar in a secure and cool place, away from sunlight.
How To Get Rid Of A Paint Bucket Or Can?
You can either throw away the empty can or bucket of paint or recycle it for later use. If you are throwing away the container, close the lid tightly and put it away with your garbage.
In case you want to recycle the jar, wipe off the extra paint on the sides and clean the paint inside the bucket with soap and water. Air dry the buckets and you are good to go.
How do I open a paint bucket without tools?
There is an old saying that a painter’s tools should never leave their hands. Throughout history, artists have used their hands and fingers to create masterpieces with just the help of paint. Some of the more popular art styles include painting on walls, shaving cream paintings, finger paintings and canvas painting. In all these styles, artists use a paint bucket without tools which contains about five liters of paint and a sponge to apply it smoothly on a surface or object for optimal effect.
How do you take the lid off a 5 gallon bucket?
Not everyone has the luxury of having a bucket handy. Luckily, this is easily fixed with an extra container and some duct tape. To take the lid off your bucket, use either a knife or scissors to cut away at the rubber around it. After that, simply bend it and pull on both sides until it pops right off! Be sure to do this over something as flat as possible because you don’t want any water spillage to ruin your flooring or furniture.
How do you open the peel away bucket?
You wear an apron to protect your clothes from any food that spills. You undo the plastic ties at the top of the bucket with a knife or scissors and then dump out any loose items. Next, you peel away the top layer of plastic from one end of the bucket. The peel-away buckets should have two layers, so it will be easier to go through them than if they had one thick layer with no seams for you to pull apart.
How do you open a paint bucket lid?
Many of us have encountered this question while trying to maintain our own homes. Sometimes, we end up with a paint bucket lid that is not fully open or has a stubbornly stuck lid that won’t budge. There are a few different ways to open this type of paint bucket lid. Many people will try using their hands and pull at the top of the lid in hopes that friction will loosen it enough for them to finish what they were doing.
Conclusion
While it is fun to paint and make changes to the walls of your home, opening a paint bucket is not the easiest task. Now that we have reached the end of the guide, we hope that the methods we have mentioned above on how to open a paint bucket will come in handy in your next painting project.
Make sure that you follow the steps properly and with caution to ensure a perfect can opening and take care of the details so that your paint lasts for a long time.
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