How To Open a Paint Can (and Everything Else You Need to Know)
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How Do You Open a Stuck Paint Can Lid?
Once you finish a painting project, it’s usually a good idea to keep a little leftover paint on hand in case you need to touch up any spots later. But if you were a little messy while applying your paint and got some on or around the rim of the can, that residual paint can cause the lid to get firmly stuck in place once you put it back on. There are a few ways to remove a lid that’s become stuck on a paint can. One is to use the thin edge of a paint scraper to pry along the rim of the lid, slicing away at any dried-on paint. If that’s not enough, try applying leverage around the rim of the lid with a pair of needle-nosed pliers, loosening the stuck edges of the lid bit by bit until it comes free.
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How to Dispose of a Paint Can
If you are not planning on saving your leftover paint for later projects, finding out the proper ways to dispose of your extra cans can get a little complicated. In most areas, empty latex paint cans can simply be recycled (check with your local recycling center first). Just leave the lid off to show that the can is actually empty or at least completely dry.
Disposing of oil-based paint cans requires a little more attention. First, they need to be completely empty. If there’s oil-based paint left in a can, get rid of it by painting something that is easily disposable, like leftover newspapers. Then, look up the guidelines for oil-based paint disposal in your area. That will likely direct you to the nearest household hazardous waste drop-off site, which will take your empty paint cans off of your hands.
Got some more potentially hazardous stuff to get rid of? Here’s how to dispose of (almost) everything.
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How Do You Open a 5-Gallon Bucket of Paint?
Turns out, the best way to open a 5-gallon bucket of paint is with a tool specially made to do so—the bucket lid wrench. Most bucket lid wrenches are inexpensive and small, so it’s definitely worth picking one up if you plan on doing any sort of work with 5-gallon paint buckets. The wrench’s claw slips under the lid of the bucket and with a little applied leverage pops it free.
