QuickTip: Paint Can Management

One of the big reasons painting is messy is…because it is!

Transferring liquid via bristles to a solid wall is more complicated than it appears and it is those who underestimate just how challenging throwing a good paint job on the wall can be that get the most frustrated (how could I possibly know that?)

All efforts to work neat and clean are the foundation of a good paint project and it starts, with us at least, with opening the can, and then short circuiting one of the biggest mess areas there is throughout the entire job—the paint can’s gutter.

First, open a paint can with the blunt side of a 5-in-1 tool, levering it open all the way around until the lid comes off.

Trying to open it with a screwdriver will work but it’ll almost surely deform the lid which in turn will prevent you from being able to store the paint.

Next, pierce the can’s gutter all the way around (about 8 times seems to work).

This allows the paint to drain effortlessly from the gutter and keeps it clean for wiping the brush during painting.

Finally, when you close the lid (which is now not deformed), cover it with a rag and tap shut with a hammer.

The paint should keep somewhere between overnight and quite a long time.

Seriously, this is no brush-off.