How to Open a Can of Paint: Easy Step-by-Step Instructions

Download Article

Plus, how to reseal the paint can when you’re done

Co-authored by Patrick Coye and Raven Minyard, BA

Last Updated: November 7, 2025 Fact Checked

Download Article

• Opening the Can
|
• Closing the Can
|
• Why won't it open?
|
• Video
|
• Expert Q&A
|
• Tips

|Show more |Show less

If you’ve never opened a paint can before, it may seem tricky. Fortunately, with the right tools, it’s easy to avoid creating a big mess. In this article, we spoke to painting specialist Patrick Coye and drywall and painting specialist Ryan Owsiany to teach you how to open (and close) a can of paint. We’ll also explain why your paint can might not open and what to do about it. Keep reading to become a painting pro in no time!

How do you open a can of paint?

Painting specialist Patrick Coye says to place the flat edge of your paint can opener under the lip of the paint can and pry the lid up. Move slowly and methodically, working in sections until the whole lid is loosened. Then, take it off with your hands. Alternatively, use a flathead screwdriver or a putty knife.

Steps

Section 1 of 3:

Opening a Paint Can

Download Article

1. 
   1
   Choose a tool to open the paint can. Coye says there are specific paint opener tools, which are usually your best option. These tools have a small, curved tip that easily gets underneath the lip of the paint can so you can lift it up. When you buy a can of paint, you’ll often get a paint can opener for free, though you can also purchase one at most home supply stores. If you don’t have one, however, try one of these tools you probably already have at home:

   • A flathead screwdriver: For the best results, use a screwdriver with a tip about ¹⁄₄–¹⁄₂ in (0.64–1.27 cm) big. If you use a smaller screwdriver, opening the can may put too much pressure on the rim of the can and deform it. If your lid is deformed, it will be harder to close and take off next time.
   • A putty knife: Try a stiff, 1–2 in (2.5–5.1 cm) putty knife as an alternative. These work well because you can easily pry the lid off with the thick, wide blade. Use the side of the knife to maximize your surface area.
   • A painter’s tool: These come as 5-in-1 or 7-in-1 multipurpose tools for various painting purposes. Use the short, flat part of the tool to pry open the lid.
   • Coye adds that for a brand-new paint, “You can basically use anything that’s big enough to get it to open, like a quarter, your keys, [or] the back of a fork or knife.” Just be careful not to damage the paint lid or the item.

   Meet the wikiHow Experts

   Patrick Coye is the owner and operator of Patrick’s Painting & Home Improvement in Alexandria, Virginia. He has over 15 years of experience in the industry.

   Ryan Owsiany is a drywall and painting specialist and the owner of Patch and Paint Pros in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania. He has over two decades of experience and specializes in interior and exterior house painting.
2. 
   2
   Hold your tool under the lip of the lid to easily pry it off. Place the tip of your tool underneath the lip. If you’re using a screwdriver or putty knife, it is helpful to use the side of the tool to gain more leverage.
   Advertisement
3. 
   3
   Press down on the handle of the tool to pry open the lid. After you position your tool under the lid, use moderate force on the handle. With a little bit of effort, the lid will separate from the paint can.

   • If the lid does not come off the can in 1 motion, reposition your tool and try again.
4. 
   4
   Open the paint can a little bit at a time to maintain the shape of the lid. Continue prying the lid off in a consecutive motion. Coye recommends that you “slowly, methodically work your way around, prying up a section [then] moving an inch over [to] another section, and completely working it till you can get the can open.” This prevents the lid from becoming deformed and bent.

   • If you’re opening an old can of paint, Coye adds that moving slowly will help prevent any rust on the edges of the can from getting in your paint.
   • If you take the lid off from one side, you will likely bend it. If the lid loses its flat shape, it will be hard to put the lid back on.
5. 
   5
   Take the lid off with your hands. Once you pry the lid off all the way around, place one hand on the lid, and gently lift up. Put the lid down on a flat surface with the paint side facing upwards.

   • This way, you can easily pick up the lid when you are finished painting.
   • If there is rust in your paint, you can strain it out with a standard paint strainer, adds Coye.
Advertisement

Section 2 of 3:

Closing the Paint Can

Download Article

1. 
   1
   Wipe the rim of the can with a paintbrush to remove any excess paint. Owsiany explains, “If you get too much dried paint in that little crease [at] the top of the can, the lid will not seal properly, and it’ll let air in over time. Then the paint dries out and goes bad.” When you’re finished painting, hold the tip of your paintbrush to the rim of your can and move it around in a circle. Then, wipe the tip of your brush against the lid. This moves the paint on the rim back into the can.

   • This way, your lid will not get sticky with paint.
   • Alternatively, use a rag instead of a paintbrush.
2. 
   2
   Place the lid on top of the rim when you are finished painting. After you wipe around the rim, lift up your lid and put it on top of the paint can with the paint side facing down.
3. 
   3
   Tap the lid into place using a hammer or rubber mallet. Owsiany says, “Put the lid on nice and tight. You can tamp it down with the hammer or the back of a screwdriver or something like that. Make sure it has a good seal.” Continue tapping around the lid until it is securely in place.

   • For best results, use a tool with a small head. You don’t need to pound the lid into place, and you can more easily tap the lid closed using a small tool.
   • To keep your paint in good condition, Owsiany suggests that you store it at room temperature. “Basements are typically a good place to store paint,” he says. “And unless your garage is heated, I would avoid storing it in your garage because if the paint freezes, it will get ruined.”
   • If your paint can is empty, leave the lid off so the remnants can dry, then dispose of it.
Advertisement

Section 3 of 3:

Why won’t my paint can open?

Download Article

1. Dried paint may have sealed to the rim. If you’re trying to open a can of paint you’ve used before, but it won’t open, it’s likely because excess paint has dried around the rim and stuck the lid in place. Use a paint scraper to slice the paint from the rim, then pry open the lid as you normally would.

   • Another option is to gently tap around the edge of the lid with a hammer to break the dried paint seal.
   • For very stubborn cans, spray a solvent like WD-40 around the rim so it can seep into the seam and break the bond.

Expert Q&A

Search

Add New Question

• Question

  What to use to open a paint can?

  

  Patrick Coye
  Painting Specialist

  Patrick Coye is the owner and operator of Patrick’s Painting & Home Improvement in Alexandria, Virginia. With over 15 years of experience in residential construction, Patrick specializes in painting, wallpaper removal/installation, drywall, staining decks and fences, and kitchen cabinetry painting. To date, Patrick and his team have painted over 2,000 houses and stained over 800 decks. Patrick's Company won a "Top Job" award from the American Painting contractor magazine in 2020.

  

  Patrick Coye

  Painting Specialist

  Expert Answer

  For a brand new can of paint, you can use a quarter, your keys, or the back of a fork/knife to pry the lid open. There are also specific paint opener tools you can use. You'll want to methodically work your way around the edges of the lid, moving inch by inch and prying it up until you can get the can open.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

  Yes No

  Not Helpful 0 Helpful 1

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Advertisement

Video

Tips

• If you have a lot of paint dried in the rim of your can, use a screwdriver to scrape it out. This way, you can easily close it when you are finished painting.
  Thanks

  Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• If you want to prevent paint from staying in the rim of your can, drill 2-6 holes into the rim so the paint can drain back into the can. This way, the paint cannot get trapped in the rim and dry onto the lid.
  Thanks

  Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• When you put the lid back on, make sure it's sealed to maintain the paint’s consistency.
  Thanks

  Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Name

Please provide your name and last initial

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

Advertisement