Have you ever struggled trying to open a plastic paint container? If any product lands on the containers rim, the paint ends up drying and fusing the lid shut. The next time you use it, you find yourself turning into the female version of the Incredible Hulk trying to get it open.
Here’s a Random Quick-Tip for any of you who are just as messy with your plastic paint containers as I am.
With little to no effort, these 5 tips will get you winning the battle of the stubborn stuck-on lid every time!
1:: My Hottest Tip – Water
Hot, hot water is my #1 tip. I find the very quickest and easiest way to loosen these fused plastic lids is to run the lid under hot water for half a minute or so. The heat loosens the dry crusty paint and then it screws off effortlessly.
2:: Vaseline or Petroleum Jelly – What Can’t this Stuff Do?
Run a small amount of Vaseline or Petroleum Jelly along the bottom of the jar’s grooves {where the lid screws on} and this will deter any paint fusing to the lid. Vaseline also works amazing as a resistant distressing technique.
3:: Plastic Wrap – Plastic vs Plastic
This tip is also on Fusion’s website and I use the same concept for keeping my wood filler from drying out. Simply place a piece of plastic wrap over the entire opening of the paint container and then place the lid on top of the plastic and screw on as you normally would. Because the plastic wrap is between the lid and the container, the dry paint can’t stick to itself.
4:: A Straight Edge May or May Not Give You An Edge
Use a paint can opener, screwdriver or anything with a flat edge to jar between the lid and the container – then lift to break the dry paint seal. This straight edge technique may or may not work. When my paint lid was super adhered {could be because I’m super messy} it didn’t work. Or possibly it was because I didn’t put enough UMmmPH into it because I was afraid of damaging the lid.
5:: Rubber Gloves will Give You The Strength of 10 Men
Rubber gloves to the rescue again! Yes, everyone should have a few pairs tucked away in a drawer because you never know when you’re going to need them. If you twist the plastic lid wearing your rubber gloves (or even a wide rubber band around the circumference of the lid) the rubber will provide additional traction and gives the the strength of 10 men. Trust me – it works!
Of course the most logical way is an ounce of prevention right? Simply wipe the excess paint off the plastic container and/or lid with a damp cloth PRIOR to sealing it back up. We all know for us passionate furniture painters, we can’t wait to dive in and get messy with our projects… so logic just isn’t an option.
Oh and one last thing. Just a little reminder…
Righty Tighty ~ Lefty Loosey
It’s so easy to get mixed up when a lid is SUPER adhered and you’ve spent the last 5 minutes turning green and busting out of your painting clothes twisting it this way and that.
Have I missed anything? Do you have any other methods of opening paint containers? If so, I’d love for you to leave me a comment below.
Have an fun day and Happy Painting!
Denise x
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I came upon this website tonight after furiously trying to open a little bottle of Fusion paint. Finally exasperated, I googled and came upon these tips. Tip #1 saved me!!! And my hands, raw from trying to open the bugger. Thank you so much!! I closed it by adding a little layer of plastic film wrap, but will try vaseline 🤞
I’m SO HAPPY tip #1 saved the day! Happy painting Catharine!
Try a rubber-strap wrench, sometimes used to remove automotive oil filters in tight places.
Thanks for this JW! 🙂
This has been the only thing marring my enjoyment of starting a project – lol. In fact,, I’m on the hunt for squeeze bottles that I see used so often, so I can transfer to those instead. Any experience there?
Hi Brooke! I keep all my paint in the original containers but I’ve seen painters using the squeeze bottles you’re referring to. They look like large condiment squeeze bottles that you can buy on Amazon. ??
to open my acrylic jars I keep a rubber mallet close by and hit it on top about 3 times. Breaks the seal. However that
vaseline trick works pretty well so far. Just have to clean them really well first and just put on the threads.Don’t pollute your paint.
I’ll try the mallet. Short of cutting the top off, I’m at wits end and I NEED this color!
I have found that if I just bang the edge of the paint lid on my workbench , it breaks the dried on paint and opens easily..
That’s great if it’s a paint can that already been used. But I bought a new can of Behr paint that has a thick black plastic top thats impossible to open. It is flat at top. Has no spout. Why on earth did they feel the need to change it? I never had issues with this before. Smh
Great tips. Thanks for those AND your lighthearted and merry post! I truly needed the laugh this morning.
thanks Jennifer! 😀
the latex gloves worked!!!!!
So glad! 🙂
Latex gloves worked!!!!!
Hi Denise thank u so much for your help
You are a hand saver! I only wish I had thought to look this up before almost ripping the skin off my palms.
Lol…glad you found this helpful. 🙂
Hi Denise,
When I have trouble opening a jar I use a piece of sandpaper to hold the cover and turn it to open. It works 99% of the times.
Sandpaper! I never would have thought of that! Thank you Adela 🙂
I had to laugh when I saw this post. I sell paint with plastic lids. I tend not to use that logical solution, but thought I had invented the butter knife around the rim thing. It works really well. LOL But, yes, cleaning it off before putting the lid back on would be logica and would make opening it very easy the next time. Creative people don’t have time to be logical is my motto. Thanks for sharing. I have shared your link with others.
…”Creative people don’t have time to be logical is my motto”…well said….lol. Thanks for sharing Sharon and nice to meet you! x
You’re a life saver!
Thanks Denise ! Those are all great ! I do find it difficult to open these type of containers. As always, I appreciate all your great tips 🙂
Pleasure! And as always, I appreciate you stopping by Cynthia!
Thanks for the hot water tip. Never dawned on me. Personally, I do not like the switch from the traditional paint cans to the plastic ones!
Traditional paint cans are definitely more durable. I don’t hesitate to bang and knock those around! 🙂
Great! Many thanks!
Pleasure Maire! Have a great weekend.