If you use a screwdriver to open the container, you will likely damage the rim and lid by bending or distorting their shape. So pick up a easy to use and inexpensive Paint Can Key instead of using the universal tool flat head screwdriver which leaves you with the difficult task of putting the lid back on. You can always pick up a Paint Key (a.k.a. a Paint Can Opener) for a very good price at Re-Paints^TM.

When you're ready to place the lid back on the container, make sure to use a rubber mallet to tap the lid with - don't pound the lid with a regular hammer.

If you don't readily have a rubber mallet at hand, you can always place a piece of wood, or even an old thick magazine or book, on top the container (don't forget the plastic wrap first) and then carefully tap the lid down with the hammer making sure to get a good seal.

Carefully use a nail or awl punch that fits in the valley of the rim and poke four holes through at the north, south, east and west of the rim to keep your rim drained of excess paint.

You can also shape the inside of the rim by taping into a small "v" or arrow like and this will allow you a more clean pour and leave the rim clear for an easy clean up ad the excess paint in the rim will drain back through the "v."

You should also wipe the rim clean every so often while you are working, and of course before each time you're replacing the lid back on. Inevitably, there always seems to be some paint left in the rim and of which the lid is dried to the container. You should always clean out the outer dried paint before replacing the lid. But, make sure to be extra careful to not end up with dried paint falling into the container.

A good tip for using a brush is to obtain a smaller container and pour your paint into the smaller container (use an inexpensive smaller Re-Paints^TM quart container), and then use the smaller container to dip your brush into, instead of the original larger container. This saves the hassle of moving the larger container around, allows you to handle the smaller container with ease, and then you can reseal the original container to keep from drying the paint out while you work.

To keep your paint in great condition, simply use some plastic wrap to cover the opening just before placing the lid back on. The effect of the plastic wrap is like placing as a gasket over the rim and creating a much tighter seal.

Have you heard you should store your paint containers upside down? There's a myth going around for added protection, to keep air from entering your container and drying the paint, to store your paint containers upside down. However, this only provides for a few more ounces of pressure from the container against the lid. So Re-Paints^TM Recycle discourages this upside-down storage practice as it just makes the lid more difficult to open. There is no reason to turn the can upside down.

There is oxygen and/or moisture that is in the open space of your container which is sealed inside and is what continues the curing process thickening the paint of which can ruin your unused paint and finishes. Using an inert gas preserver will purge containers of excess oxygen and/or moisture to safely store your products and be very useful saving money when you're storing more costly Oil-Based Paints, Varnishes, Polyurethane and clear coatings keeping them for longer periods of time.

In using water-based paints, notice the labels usually state "Do Not Allow To Freeze or "Keep From Freezing." But, paint may still be usable even after being frozen a couple of times? The rule is if the paint is stirrable into a smooth consistency, then your paint is still good. However, the more times your paint freezes and thaws, the paint will get worse each time. An easy way to tell if paint is still good is, when you stir paint, if it stays lumpy and never gets smooth, then it's spoiled.

When steel cans get wet, they rust and labels fall off. Even plastic pails with metal lids can rust. At some point, the more rusty cans and lids lead to a real mess as they fall apart in your hands. Perhaps even worse, the rust frequently falls into the can and paint, rendering it unusable. And, when if the container label falls off, well, then you won't know anything about the type of paint or color name or code of the paint in the container. So, store your paint in cool, dark and dry locations.

Use our Re-Paints^TM "What's This Paint" Labels to easily remember information such as: date purchased, dates opened, amounts left, know the manufacturer-issued expiration date; color name and code; finish and base; room or area used for and other interior or exterior areas used for. You can use a pen, permanent marker or paint brush on the container to indicate the info mentioned above. Still, there's nothing like being organized with our Re-Paints^TM "What's This Paint" lables.