A painting project starts well before you brush that first paint stroke onto the wall . First , you must adjudicate on a color , choose a luster , light the room , tape the trim , spackle any holes , and place down a drop fabric . Then , finally , you’re able to crack open that impudent can of paint . Learn how to open a blusher can the right way to ensure this crucial step is done correctly .

Our helpful tips will help you start yourpainting projectthe way paint professionals do . Before you begin , however , know that it is best to start out your key project no more than 24 hours after you purchase your paint . Any longer than a day may cause your blusher to sink and not be mixed aright . However , if you necessitate a few days to prepare , you could always go back to the storage and ask them to remix your paint free of charge .

What You’ll Need

Equipment / Tools

Materials

Instructions

How to Open a Paint Can

Remove Lid

Use a 3 - in-1 or 5 - in-1 tool to start the paint can softly . Place it between the lid and the lip of the can and tardily pull down on the putz ’s grip . The chapeau should free itself easily . It ’s common for homeowners to use ascrewdriverfor this , but we do n’t commend that . The screwdriver is strong and will bend and wring the lid shape , make re - sealing the key can difficult .

you may , however , opt to apply a blusher can lid opener , shown here . This inexpensive creature has a curved tip to easily remove blusher can lids without damage the seal .

Mark with Paint

With the hat take , dab a spot of the paint on the side of the can and the can lid . This quickly identifies the type of paint sheen and hue inside the can for succeeding home projection or paint tinge - ups . If possible , you desire to avoid curtain raising blusher backside if you ’re just go over thecolorinside .

Seal Lid in Plastic

Slide the sloshed paint lid into a plastic nada - closure bag . This prevents the paint from drying , stops the chapeau from dripping , and provides a clean lifting tab key to open up , pour , and end the can as needed . Keep the plastic on the palpebra until you ’re quick to reseal the paint can tostore it .

Punch Holes in Can Rim

Next , punch pickle in the groove inside the brim , call the lid well , with a power hammer and nail or the sharp level of the5 - in-1 tool and a hammer . The trap permit excess rouge to drain back into the can . This rim catches a lot of extra key as you stream and scrape brushes on the side of the can . This proficiency will also ensure that after the task is finished , the lid can position and seal off properly into the can for memory .

Stir Paint

With the can prepped and ready , light stimulate the key . practice a paint stick provided by the ironware store or paint shop that sold you the key can . Be sure the stick extend to the bottom to get the most even stir . Look out for drips as you remove the stick from the can , scratch it along the inner lip to get most of the paint back in the gal .

Pour Paint

Next comes the pouring . Gently lift the paint can by the handgrip and expend your other hand to tilt the bottom of the can back . It ’s also wise to buy a rouge can pourer , a turgid plastic lip that go on the edge of the can . This tool helps you pour mess - free with no drips down the side of the can . Pour only ½ in of pigment into the blusher tray .

Using a tray instead of paint directly from the can is essential . dip a brush into a can may contaminate the paint with dust or dirt pluck up from the bulwark . Only rain cats and dogs a little at a fourth dimension to frequently fill again the supply withfresh paintbefore it dry .

Seal Lid After Painting

Once you ’re done teem the key or have nail the project , place the lid back on the rouge can . Remember — the enemy of pigment is air , so you want to make certain this is done correctly . utilize a rubber beetle to beg along the edges of the rouge can lid to seal .

If you have n’t already , make a running list ofpaint colors used in your habitation . This list will be utile when you need to repaint a spot but are out of paint , or the rouge you saved is spoiled . When you keep track , spell down the pigment sword , color , and sheen . It ’s also good practice to indite down the rouge numbers so any store can recreate the color . Keep this paint list with your other home documents .

Paint Cans

Credit: Picture 643

loosening paint can lid with tool

Credit: Jacob Fox

tap nail into paint can top with hammer

Credit: Jacob Fox

stirring paint with stir stick

.Credit: Jacob Fox

pouring white paint into pan

tapping lid with mallet to close paint can