How to Open a Paint Like a Pro (and Seal It Back Up Again)

Whether you’re dreaming of a blue bedroom, a white kitchen, or a gray living room, your next home makeover project is probably going to start with paint. For new DIYers, visiting the paint aisle can be intimidating — but I promise that everyone, even the most beginner of beginners, can learn how to paint a room. The first lesson you’ll need to learn? How to open a paint can.

Even if you’ve already painted a room or two, you might be surprised to know there’s more than one way to tackle opening a can of paint. In fact, I’ve got four super-easy ways you can open a paint can — all of which will have you cracking open your paint can like a pro.

A standard paint can comes with a flat lid that’s pounded into place at the store. To remove the lid from the can, you’ll need a tool to wedge under the lip of the lid so you can pull it free from the lid. There are four different ways to do that.

The painter’s tool — which you’ll find as a painter’s 5-in-1, a painter’s 7-in-1, or even a painter’s 15-in-1 — is an MVP when it comes to painting projects. That’s why it’s the favored paint can-opening method among pros. The painter’s tool is truly multipurpose: It can serve as a can opener, a putty knife, a roller scraper, a chisel, a nail puller, and a corner cleaner.

For opening a paint can, you’ll use the short, flat part of the tool. Place it in the crack between the lid and the can and lift, rotating the can to move around the entire lid.

A paint can opener is a great little tool to have around, and at less than a dollar a pop, it’s an extremely budget-friendly one, too. (Many paint stores will give you one with purchase.)

To open a paint can using a paint can opener, push the flat end into the gap between the can and lid. Pry the lid from the can, rotating to move around the entire lid. Then, lift the lid away from the can.

You’re likely to have a flathead screwdriver, also called a slotted screwdriver, lying around already.

To open a paint can using a flathead screwdriver, place the head of the screwdriver in the gap where the lid meets the can and lift up gently. Continue all the way around the can until you can remove the whole lid.

For this method, you’ll need a putty knife that’s stiff and not too bendy, like this one. Otherwise, you won’t be able to pry the lid off.

To open a paint can with a putty knife, slip the front edge of the putty knife under the lip of the can and lift it; move slowly around the edge of the can until the lid’s fully loosened.

If you’ve used this paint before, the most likely cause is excess paint around the rim of the can that’s dried and stuck the lid in place.

To remove a stuck lid, use a paint scraper to slice along the rim of the lid before slowly trying to pry it from its base.

Prevent sticky lids in the future by making sure you’re closing your paint cans properly.

1. Before placing the lid, make sure to use a rag to wipe away any dripped paint from the rim of of the can.
2. Put the lid in place.
3. Cover the lid with a rag.
4. Tap the lid into place using a wood or rubber mallet, moving all the way around the edges of the lid.
5. If you only have a hammer available, add another towel over the can before tapping the lid into place. That will help prevent dents to the can’s lid, which can affect the seal.