Opening a paint can often is harder than it looks when you don’t have the right tools laying around the house. So, how can you easily and effortlessly open a paint can?
To easily open a paint can, use either a flathead screwdriver, painter’s tool, or any flat-pointed metal object to pry the lid open by applying gentle force around the lip of the can. Continue around the circumference of the lid until you hear it pop and release.
In this article, we’re going to take a closer look at some of the easiest and most effective methods for opening paint cans.
How To Easily Open a Paint Can
Many homeowners struggle with opening paint cans, and it often results in a puddle of paint on the floor.
Luckily, there are a handful of different approaches you can take to open paint cans effortlessly, provided that you have some basic tools at home.
Supplies Needed
Consider using one of the following tools to effortlessly open your paint can:
- Paint can opener
- Flathead screwdriver
- Painter’s tool
Any of these tools will be perfect for opening a paint can. Naturally, a paint can opener is the most effective approach for the job, but you can technically achieve the same results with any flat-pointed metallic object that you can pry the lid of the paint can off with.
Step 1: Pry the Lid Open
Once you’ve chosen a preferred tool to open the can of paint, the first step is to pry off the lid. The key to opening a paint can is to use gentle and controlled force that will not damage the lid, as this can complicate closing the can later on.
With your tool in hand, place the contact end into the lip of the lid. Before you can pry off the lid, it needs to release so that you can open the paint can evenly without bending the metal. Find the perfect spot where you can open the can by applying gentle force to the lip of the lid.
Step 2: Open the Paint Can
After you’ve let some air into the can and found an opening, continue to pry around the edges of the lid to fully remove it from the can. A common mistake that many people make is attempting to pry the lid open from just a single area.
This can cause the metal to break, which will damage the lid and prevent you from properly closing the paint can. Instead, go around the entire can inch by inch and pry slowly.
Step 3: Remove the Lid
It usually takes at least one or two rounds of prying to fully remove the lid. After it’s pried open on all sides, you need to carefully remove the lid from the can so that you don’t get paint on any surfaces, and so that you do not ruin the paint by getting debris inside.
Remove the lid carefully with your hands and place it with the top side facing up on a safe surface.
How to Open a Paint Can That Is Stuck
If you haven’t used a can of paint in a long time, there is a good chance that it could be stuck due to paint drying around the lid.
To open a can of paint that is stuck, try tracing the edges of the lid with a sharp-edged object such as a paint scraper or Exacto knife to remove dry paint. Once the lid has been traced, use a pair of needlenose pliers to gently apply pressure around the lip to find a leverage point.
How to Open a Paint Can With a Plastic Lid
Some paint cans come in plastic lids, which require a slightly different approach for opening. These paint cans require you to remove a plastic seal, which you can do by finding a notch on the outer rim of the can.
Use a screwdriver to break the notch and then pull it away from the can slowly. After the seal is removed, use your fingers to pull the lid off from the can by gently rotating around the lip until you hear it pop and release.
How to Open a Paint Can With a Screwdriver
A screwdriver is perhaps the most useful tool that you can have at home. This is a multi-purpose tool that can be used for a variety of different tasks, including opening paint cans.
With that said, a flathead screwdriver is going to be the best option for opening a can of paint. All you need to do is place the flat end of the screwdriver underneath the lip of the paint can’s lid and gently pry while circulating around the entire lip. The can will let out a small pop and release itself once the lid becomes detached.
How to Open a Paint Can With a Hammer
A hammer can be an excellent tool for opening a can of paint. You still need to find a flat-pointed metal object such as a flathead screwdriver that you can use to fully remove the lid, but the hammer will help pry it open.
Stick the flathead screwdriver into the lip and then tap the handle end with your hammer as you go around the circumference of the lid. Continue to tap and rotate around the lid until it pops and releases.
How to Open a Paint Can Without a Screwdriver
If you don’t have a screwdriver, your next best bet is to use any flat-pointed metal object, such as a paint scraper or putty knife. Simply stick a paint scraper, putty knife, or any flat-pointed object into the lip of the can and find a leverage point to apply gentle force.
Go around the lip of the can slowly and apply balanced force until the lid is fully removed from the can.
Key Takeaways to Effortlessly Opening a Paint Can
To open a paint can effortlessly, use either a paint can opener, flathead screwdriver, painter’s tool, or any flat-pointed metal object.
Pry the lid open by applying gentle force around the lip of the can.
Continue to pry around the circumference of the lid until you hear it pop and release.
