How to Open a Paint Can

Co-authored by Patrick Coye

Last Updated: July 29, 2022

Opening a can of paint can leave you with a big mess to clean up. Fortunately, you can avoid splattered paint by opening your paint can with the right tools! Grab either a large screwdriver, paint can opener, or putty knife. Then, use the tool to pry open the lid. Once you open your paint can, you can easily paint your walls, for instance. When you are finished painting, use a hammer or rubber mallet to close your paint can.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Opening a Paint Can

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1
Use a flathead screwdriver if you don’t have a paint can opener. While a paint can opener is the best way to open a paint can, you can also use a screwdriver. Be careful not to put too much pressure on the lid when using a screwdriver, or it can get deformed.^{[1]
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- For best results, use a screwdriver with a tip about ¹⁄₄–¹⁄₂ in (0.64–1.27 cm) big. If you use a smaller screwdriver, opening the can may put too much pressure on the rim of the can and it can get deformed.
- If your lid is deformed, it will be harder to close and take off next time.
2
Hold your tool under the lip of the lid to easily pry it off. Place the tip of your tool underneath the lip. If using a screwdriver or putty knife, it is helpful to use the side of the tool to gain more leverage.^{[2]
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- If the paint is new, you can use anything to open it from a quarter or your keys, to the back of a fork or knife.^{[3]
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  Expert Source
  
  Patrick Coye
  Painting Specialist
  
  Expert Interview. 19 August 2020.}
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3
Press down on the handle of the tool to pry open the lid. After you position your tool under the lid, use moderate force on the handle. With a little bit of effort, the lid will separate from the paint can.^{[4]
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- If the lid does not come off the can in 1 motion, reposition your tool and try again.
4
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. To do this, scoot the tool across the lid and lift up every ¹⁄₂–1 in (1.3–2.5 cm) or so. Prying all of the lid off before opening the can prevents the lid from getting deformed and bent.^{[5]
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- Even if you're opening an old can of paint, you'll want to slowly and methodically work your way around the lid as you open it because there may be rust on the edges and you don't want to get that inside the paint.^{[6]
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  Expert Source
  
  Patrick Coye
  Painting Specialist
  
  Expert Interview. 19 August 2020.}
- If the lid loses its flat shape, it will be hard to put the lid back on.
- If you take the lid off from 1 side, you will bend it.
5
Take the lid off with your hands. Once you pry the lid off all the way around, place 1 hand on the lid, and gently lift up. Put the lid down on a flat surface with the paint side facing upwards.^{[7]
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- This way, you can easily pick up the lid when you are finished painting.
- If there is rust in your paint, you can strain it out with a standard paint strainer.^{[8]
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  Expert Source
  
  Patrick Coye
  Painting Specialist
  
  Expert Interview. 19 August 2020.}
6
Try a stiff, 1–2 in (2.5–5.1 cm) putty knife as an alternative opening tool. In addition to paint can removers and screwdrivers, putty knives work well to open paint cans. If you choose a putty knife, use the side of the knife to maximize your surface area.^{[9]
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- These work well because you can easily pry the lid off with the thick, wide blade of the putty knife.
7
Select a paint can opener for the easiest option. Paint can openers are small tools designed to effortlessly pry the lid off of your can. When you buy your paint from a home supply store, ask the associate for a paint can opener as well. Oftentimes they give these out for free along with the purchase of your paint.^{[10]
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- Paint can openers are also available for purchase 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.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Closing the Paint Can

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1
Wipe the rim of the can with a paint brush to remove any excess paint. When you are finished painting, hold the tip of your brush up to the rim of your can, and move it around in a circle. Then, wipe the tip of your brush against the lid. This moves the paint on the rim back into the can.^{[11]
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- This way, your lid will not get sticky with paint.
- Alternatively, you can use a rag instead of a paintbrush.
After you wipe around the rim, lift up your lid and put it on top of the paint can with the paint side facing down.^{[12]
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3
Tap the lid into place using a hammer or rubber mallet. Once the lid is in place, make small tapping motions on the lid. Continue tapping around the lid clockwise until the lid is securely in place.^{[13]
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- For best results, use a tool with a small head. You don’t need to pound the lid into place, and you can more easily tap the lid closed using a small tool.

Expert Q&A

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What to use to open a paint can?

Patrick Coye
Painting Specialist
Patrick Coye is the owner and operator of Patrick’s Painting & Home Improvement in Alexandria, Virginia. With over 15 years of experience in residential construction, Patrick specializes in painting, wallpaper removal/installation, drywall, staining decks and fences, and kitchen cabinetry painting. To date, Patrick and his team have painted over 2,000 houses and stained over 800 decks. Patrick's Company won a "Top Job" award from the American Painting contractor magazine in 2020.

Patrick Coye

Painting Specialist

Expert Answer

For a brand new can of paint, you can use a quarter, your keys, or the back of a fork/knife to pry the lid open. There are also specific paint opener tools you can use. You'll want to methodically work your way around the edges of the lid, moving inch by inch and prying it up until you can get the can open.

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Things You’ll Need

Can of paint
Paint can opener, screwdriver, or putty knife
Paintbrush or rag
Hammer or rubber mallet

Tips

If you have a lot of paint dried in the rim of your can, use a screwdriver to scrape it out. This way, you can easily close it when you are finished painting.

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If you want to prevent paint from staying in the rim of your can, drill 2-6 holes into the rim so the paint can drain back into the can. This way, the paint cannot get trapped in the rim and dry onto the lid.

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Warnings

If you cannot completely close your paint, it will go bad. You want the lid to be completely sealed to maintain the paint’s consistency.

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