i go with dutchboy a lot because i love their containers, nice lip for pouring, and a handle, can't beat that.

But then you can't store the paint because it would dry out. Might be a good solution if you know that you're never going to need the paint can again but overall it seems like more trouble than simply taking your brush and putting the paint back into the can.

I use these little plastic pour spouts that I found at the paint store for less than a buck each that clip onto the edge of the paint can - easy to use and easy to clean, and no drips on the paint can.

http://www.freundcontainer.com/product.asp?splid=SPLID02&pn=FS100&cn=61&bhcd2=1219422556

i just opened a new can of paint last night to refresh the paint on the windowsills. i just used a big soup ladel to put paint into another container. no paint on the can at all.

Similar to that last one, I use the Paint N Pour lid:
https://www.hardwareworld.com/1g-Paintft-N-Pour-Lid-pEC0UM8.aspx

I prefer it to the plastic pour spout mentioned above because it completely covers the top of the paint can, and it has a hinged top so you can stir or dip a paintbrush in without removing the whole lid. You can keep this lid on for as long as you're using the paint.

I put about 5 nail holes in the bottom of the paint can lip every time I paint and I never have trouble with the paint drying out because of that.

I like the soup ladle idea, dM. I painted my living room earlier this week and used a small plastic cup to scoop paint into fill a 1 quart plastic take out container, which was perfect brushwork. It has a tight fitting lid, too, for short term storage.

I also cut the label off of the paint can with an exacto knife before opening it. If you have paint left over, you can tape the label back on for storage. Otherwise, I keep it in a binder for reference.

I'm a bit surprised that the hole wouldn't just fill with paint...

Or you could just use this less invasive tip:

Wrap a rubber band around an open paint can, top to bottom. Use the rubber band to wipe the excess from the brush after dipping it into the paint, and avoid making a mess of the paint can's rim.

http://www.rd.com/images/tfhimport/2003/20030501_Handy_Hints_page001img001_size2.jpg

I spent a few summers as a painter for a school district. This was one of my standard tricks, and it worked surprisingly well. One hole really isn't enough, though. I'd recommend four or five holes around the trough. And a good awl works better than the hammer-and-nail.

When you're done for the day, let the can sit for a few minutes to drain. Then put the lid back securely in place. The lip of the lid effectively seals the holes, preventing the paint from drying.

I can use this tip this weekend. I'm trying not to buy more stuff, so this works for me.

I've seen this before but I can't believe that the holes are sealed by the lid! I wonder why paint manufacturer's don't recommend this tip? I feel an experiment coming on...

Yeah, it works. It's slow and not very dramatic, but it helps.

There is a little tool at the paint store that's sort of a small curved squeegee. Cheap (buck or two) and does a great job.

I would think the nail hole, while it allows paint to leak back into the can would also allow air into the can, which ruins the paint via oxidization and evaporation of solvents, polymers and water in paint).

Off topic, but . . try to transfer paint to a smaller container so that the can is as full as possible and little or no empty space between paint and lid, to keep the paint "fresh" for a good 5-6 years.

didn't finish the first sentence in last post.... the tool does a great job squeegee-ing the paint from the lip. And not messy at all.

Painter's helper, the tool is called. It usually has a can-opener, roller-scraper, etc.

(It's counterintuitive, but the seal of the paintcan lid is at the edge, above the holes, so it still seals.)

Sounds great. I paint a lot for my major and this sounds like a nice little trick that I could use. *runs off to try*