Found a weird trick for getting old paint lids off without denting them

Honestly I was struggling with a 5 year old can of trim paint last weekend and about to smash the lid with a screwdriver. Then I remembered this tip from a painter in Portland who said to run a putty knife around the rim and tap the lid edge with a hammer. Worked perfectly on the first try and the lid didn't even bend. Has anyone else got a go-to method for stubborn paint cans?

3 comments

3 Comments

valw3613d ago

Did you flip the can over first before you tried the putty knife?

iris_davis9013d ago

Ngl I had the exact same issue with a can of deck stain that had been sitting in my garage for like three years. Honestly I tried the putty knife trick and it worked way better than I expected, but what really sealed the deal was flipping the can over and tapping the bottom on the concrete a few times first to break the seal. Tbh I thought it was one of those old wives tales until I actually did it and heard that satisfying pop sound. That hammer trick you mentioned saved me from buying a new can opener tool.

loganthompson13d ago

Lol hard disagree @iris_davis90, that flip and tap thing never worked for me. Ended up denting the can and making a bigger mess when the lid finally came off sideways. Hammer and putty knife is the only way I trust now, anything else is just asking for paint all over your driveway.

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