Clean the rim of the paint can if necessary.Dried paint or debris on the rim could make it difficult or impossible to get a tight seal when you put the lid back on the paint can. Use a wet rag to wipe up fresh paint and use a straightened wire hanger to remove crusted globs of paint if necessary.
The best method of ensuring your paint can’s rim is clean is to avoid getting paint on it in the first place. You can do this by wrapping a rubber band around the top of the paint can and using that to wipe excess paint from your brush as you’re using it.
Place a layer of plastic wrap over the opening of the can. Before placing the lid back on the paint can, apply a layer of plastic or saran wrap over the top of the can and stretch it slightly. This will act as an airtight seal that will prevent air from entering the can and keep your paint fresh.
- You can also take a plastic bag and cut out a circle slightly larger than the opening itself and use that to create your gasket.
- Be careful not to stretch your plastic wrap so far that it tears; if it won’t prevent air from entering the can, it won’t keep your paint fresh.
Use a hammer and block of wood to close the lid over the can.When placing the lid back on the paint can, don’t hammer it directly, as this may result in distortions in shape that may disrupt the air seal. Instead, place a block of wood on the lid and hammer the block to set the lid firmly into place.
- For best results, use a block of wood that is roughly the same size as the lid and which will evenly distribute the force of the hammer across the lid to avoid distorting it.
- You can also use a rubber mallet to tap gently around the edges of the lid to close it over the can.
Note on the can what color the paint is and where it was used. Once your paint can is sealed and stored, it may be difficult to figure out at a first glance what leftover paint is in the can. To avoid confusion later, use a marker to note what color the paint is, when you opened it, and where you used it.
- For a quick visual identifier, consider placing a small droplet of paint on the lid of the can to instantly know what color the leftover paint is.
- Note on the can where you originally bought it from, if that information isn’t already on it; when you use the leftover paint, you may need to buy more.
Store the can in a dry location where temperatures are above freezing and away from direct sunlight. Place the sealed can on wooden or plastic shelving in a dry room to prevent the can from becoming rusted. Make sure the location that you store it in is kept at a temperature that won’t cause the paint to freeze. If the paint freezes, it will separate and become permanently unusable.
While paint kept at a freezing temperature will become unusable, paint kept at too hot of a temperature will deteriorate and similarly become unusable. Store the paint far from heat sources, such as water boilers, radiators, heaters, or direct sunlight, to help preserve the paint in the long run.
It’s very important to keep the paint can dry at all times. Not only will a rusted can ruin the surface it is placed on, but it will also ruin the paint it is holding.
If the paint can gets wet, it may also cause your labels to fall off, leaving you unable to identify the leftover paint you stored in it!
Leave a Reply