Marcus Chen
Opening a tin of paint may seem straightforward, but it's a process that can leave you with a big mess to clean up. The right tools and techniques can help you open a paint can with minimal fuss. A standard paint can comes with a flat lid that’s pounded into place at the store, and you’ll need a tool to wedge under the lip of the lid so you can pull it free. A paint can opener is ideal, but a flathead screwdriver or even a putty knife can also do the trick.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Tools | Paint key, flathead screwdriver, paint can opener, putty knife, fork, knife |
| Technique | Pry the lid off, dig the tip of the key into the groove of the can, push down and lift the lid off, use moderate force on the handle, tap the lid into place with a mallet |
| Tips | Use a rag to wipe away dripped paint from the rim before closing the can, use a paint scraper to slice along the rim of a stuck lid |
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$5.75
What You'll Learn
Using a paint key
To open a tin of paint with a paint key, you'll first need to grab your tools. Hold the paint can firmly and shake it up and down and side to side as hard as you can for 15-20 seconds.
Now grab your paint key and dig the tip of the key into the groove of the can. Push down and the can lid will lift. Continue this step until you've gone all the way around the can. Then, lift the lid off.
If you don't have a paint key, you can use a screwdriver, putty knife, or even a fork to open your paint can. If using a screwdriver, it's best to use a flathead screwdriver, also called a slotted screwdriver. Place the head of the screwdriver in the gap where the lid meets the can and lift up gently. Continue all the way around the can until you can remove the whole lid.
If you're using a putty knife, slip the front edge under the lip of the can and lift it, moving slowly around the edge of the can until the lid is fully loosened. A stiff putty knife that's not too bendy will work best.
If you're using a fork, use the flat back end. It's best to go around and lever from a few positions so that you won't bend the top too badly.
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Levering with a fork
First, grab a fork from your kitchen drawer. It is best to use a thin fork, as thicker forks may not fit under the lip of the paint tin lid. The back of the fork should be flat, so use this side to lever the lid open.
Place the flat end of the fork between the lid and the lip of the can. Gently push down on the handle of the fork to pry the lid open. You may need to use moderate force, but be careful not to bend the lip of the lid. Work your way around the tin, repeating the process until the lid can be lifted off by hand.
If you are struggling to get the lid off in one go, try moving your fork to a few different positions around the lip of the tin. This will help to prevent the lid from becoming bent out of shape.
Remember to shake the tin well before opening, and always take care when using forks or other sharp objects to avoid any accidental injuries.
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Using a screwdriver
To open a tin of paint with a screwdriver, you will need a flat-head screwdriver. A standard 5mm head will be fine, but if you have a larger head, that will work too. First, place the screwdriver under the lip of the lid and gently push down to raise the lid a little. Be careful not to bend the lip of the lid—if you feel it start to bend, stop and move the screwdriver to a new position. Now, move the screwdriver a quarter of the way around the tin and repeat the process. Keep doing this until the lid can be lifted off by hand.
If you have a lot of paint dried in the rim of your can, you can use a screwdriver to scrape it out. This will make it easier to close the tin once you're finished painting.
If you're having trouble opening the tin, you could try a different method and then return to the screwdriver. For example, you could place a plastic bag over the can and then tap the lid into place over the bag. This can make it easier to remove the lid. Alternatively, you could make a small puddle of water on the lid and leave an ice brick in it to contract the lid, which may also help.
Once you've finished painting, use a cloth or paper towel to cover the lid and place a wood block on top. The block should be slightly larger than the diameter of the paint can. Then, gently tap the centre of the block with a hammer or mallet to seal the lid without denting the rim or lid of the can. Rotate the block and repeat the process a few times.
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Using a putty knife
To open a tin of paint with a putty knife, you will need a stiff, rigid, and narrow putty knife that is about 1-2 inches long. This will allow you to easily slip the knife into the lid and use it for leverage.
First, insert the edge of the putty knife under the lip of the lid. Then, apply gentle yet firm pressure to raise the lid, moving the knife around the can as necessary to pry it off. If the lid does not come off the can in one motion, reposition your tool and try again.
To open the paint can a little bit at a time and maintain the shape of the lid, continue prying the lid off in a consecutive motion. Scoot the tool across the lid and lift it up every 1⁄2–1 inch or so.
If you are using a painter's tool, which is a multipurpose tool that can serve as a can opener, a putty knife, a roller scraper, a chisel, a nail puller, and a corner cleaner, use the short, flat part of the tool. Place it in the crack between the lid and the can and lift, rotating the can to move around the entire lid.
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Using a paint can opener
Paint can openers are small, inexpensive tools designed to effortlessly pry the lid off your can. They are available at most home supply stores. Paint can openers have a small, curved tip that easily gets underneath the lip of the paint can so you can lift it up.
To open a paint can using a paint can opener, push the flat end into the gap between the can and the lid. Pry the lid from the can, rotating to move around the entire lid. Then, lift the lid away from the can. Move the opener around the circumference of the lid, repeating the lifting motion every few inches. This ensures the lid comes off evenly and reduces the risk of bending the lid or splashing paint. Once the lid is loose all the way around, carefully lift it off the can.
If you encounter resistance, check to ensure you haven't missed any spots. Before you start painting, wipe off any excess paint from the lid and the rim of the can. This helps in resealing the can properly after you're done. After use, clean your paint can opener with a rag or paper towel and store it in a dry place. Keeping it clean ensures it will last longer and work effectively for future projects.
If you don't have a paint can opener, you can use a screwdriver, a putty knife, or even a fork. However, these tools can damage the lid, making it difficult to reseal and increasing the risk of accidental spills.
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Frequently asked questions
You can use a paint key, a screwdriver, a paint can opener, a putty knife, or even the back of a fork or knife if it's a new tin. Place your tool of choice in the crack between the lid and the can and lift, rotating the can to move around the entire lid.
A paint key is a tool specially designed to open paint cans. Using this tool will ensure you don't warp the can lid and prevent proper closure and storage.
Use a flathead screwdriver, also called a slotted screwdriver. Place the head of the screwdriver in the gap where the lid meets the can and lift up gently. Continue all the way around the can until you can remove the whole lid.
Open the paint can a little bit at a time to maintain the shape of the lid. Continue prying the lid off in a consecutive motion. Prying the lid off slowly and methodically will prevent splatters and spills.
