Paint can problems

RichD1 · 11 Jun 2020

I’ve bought some Bedec water based primer/undercoat a few months back and used it for internal paintwork. Got the can out to use today and I couldn’t get the lid off using the normal screwdriver! In the end I had to get a pair of mole grips which then distorted the lid.

When I did get the lid off it was rusty around the rim and had a layer of dried rusty paint around the can rim. The removal of the lid also causes dried paint to drop into the paint. When I last used it I used a paint kettle and then wiped round the lid and rim and put the lid fully on with a hammer.

At the moment I’ve got some cling film over the top but is there a better solution? How can I prevent this in future? Can it be put into a plastic container?

Richard

sparkwright · 11 Jun 2020

Yes, a plastic container or jam jar is fine for water-based paint.

RichD1 · 12 Jun 2020

Thanks. Trying to find some reasonably priced air tight plastic tubs as I have about 2.5 litres of about 5 different paints to decant.

Richard

Toria J · 12 Jun 2020

sparkwright said:
Yes, a plastic container or jam jar is fine for water-based paint.

Sorry to interrupt but you specify 'water-based'?
Do oil-based paints/stains behave differently and need a different container please?

I'm trying to cut down on my pile of cans so I was planning on pouring some paints into smaller jars.

I've also decanted a bit of Sadolin Classic into an old treacle tin as I don't need the whole can - is that going to work?

Thanks.

sparkwright · 13 Jun 2020

Something about putting oil-based paints in plastic containers didn't seem sit right with me, but after thinking about it, I do remember using some oil-based non-drip gloss that came in a Dulux plastic container, so no problem I guess.

Harry Bloomfield · 13 Jun 2020

When you have finished with a can of paint, replace the lid and store them upside down for a few days, to get them to reseal fully.

opps · 13 Jun 2020

Toria J said:
Sorry to interrupt but you specify 'water-based'?
Do oil-based paints/stains behave differently and need a different container please?

I'm trying to cut down on my pile of cans so I was planning on pouring some paints into smaller jars.

I've also decanted a bit of Sadolin Classic into an old treacle tin as I don't need the whole can - is that going to work?

Thanks.

I pour paint in to plastic kettles (read: pots) with lids when working. Water based paints are fine for weeks, oil based paints start to skin over after a few days as they are not airtight.

Jars should be fine for both types of paints.

Harry Bloomfield · 13 Jun 2020

opps said:
oil based paints start to skin over after a few days as they are not airtight.

Which is why you turn them upside down, to seal the lids.

JohnD · 13 Jun 2020

Toria J said:
an old treacle tin

metal tins don't reaseal perfectly after they have been opened. Plastic paint tubs are better for that.

Worse still, metal tins can go rusty, which will spoil the contents, or even let it leak out.

If you find a skin, lift it off without breaking it, and let any oil or paint drain off it into the container. Don't try to stir it in.

RichD1 · 13 Jun 2020

I can see turning the can upside down will seal the lid but when turned back surely the residue of paint around the rim/lid seal will dry like it has on the can I tried opening and bits then fall back into the paint.

For longer term storage in plastic containers would covering with cling film before putting the lid on help?

Richard

JohnD · 13 Jun 2020

sparkwright said:
Something about putting oil-based paints in plastic containers didn't seem sit right with me, but after thinking about it, I do remember using some oil-based non-drip gloss that came in a Dulux plastic container, so no problem I guess.

Some plastics react oddly to oil paint. I tipped a part-used can of yellow marker paint into some plastic tubs, with tight plastic lids, that readymade soup had come in. When I wanted them again, the tubs had collapsed in on themselves. I guess a component of the paint had dissolved or migrated through the plastic and escaped. No doubt the Dulux pots are made of a compatible material.

I've got to buy a new tin now

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Paint can problems

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