What is the correct chisel to use for opening metal paint tins?

[DrPhill]

Seriously, though - is there a tool for opening them? I generally use a flat-bladed screw driver, but some tins are so flimsy that this results in a deformed lid that gets progressively worse each time it is opened.

Plastic paint cans are fine - there is usually an obvious recess to insert the screwdriver in, and the flexibility of the lid makes removal easy. Small paint tins seem fine - probably because the tighter curves add rigidity.

There are some 'paint tin lid removal tool's online, but they just look like fancy (expensive, bent) screwdrivers.....

 

[Pedronicus]

I have one of these. Exceedingly good value.

 

[deema]

I used to know a guy who was a designer of packaging for the paint industry. I asked him about paint can opening, he told me that they try to design the can such that if it is opened it causes damage so that it can’t be opened and closed again without anyone noticing. The reason is that people use a bit and try to return cans as not being full when they bought it, add colours / contaminants to allow them to return it as faulty / claim fir redecorating costs etc etc. Now, it was after a few beers but I can fully understand why they might want to make it impossible to open a tin without damaging it.

 

[LeeElms]

Or Search paint can opener | Wickes.co.uk

(slightly more expensive!)

 

[Phil Pascoe]

They don't close properly after being opened a couple of times, which shortens the life expectancy of the contents - that's a bonus for the manufacturer, you have to buy it again.

 

[flying haggis]

Correct chisel would be someone else's.........

 

[Spectric]

Any chiesel once I have had a go at sharpening it !

 

[Ozi]

They don't close properly after being opened a couple of times, which shortens the life expectancy of the contents - that's a bonus for the manufacturer, you have to buy it again.

My Dad always used to turn the can upside down to make a seal - I will not be responsible if you do that over a carpet

 

[Pedronicus]

My Dad always used to turn the can upside down to make a seal - I will not be responsible if you do that over a carpet

I do that (but always carefully over an old bucket!).

 

[flying haggis]

After putting the lid on and tapping all round I hold the lid and quickly invert the tin to allow the liquid to reseal the lid/tin interface

 

[Geoff_S]

I open the tin.

I use the paint.

I put the lid back on the tin.

I put the tin on a shelf in my shed.

10 years later I throw it away.

 

[thetyreman]

I have one of these. Exceedingly good value.

+1 they are amazing things aren't they.

 

[Jameshow]

I have one of these. Exceedingly good value.

Pop into a decorators trade place and they may give you a Dulux / crown one free.

 

[Derek Cohen (Perth Oz)]

The story is here: Unexpected tool porn

Regards from Perth

Derek

 

[Ozi]

I open the tin.

I use the paint.

I put the lid back on the tin.

I put the tin on a shelf in my shed.

10 years later I throw it away.

I used some paint left in my Dads garage, moved to my house when he died, moved twice more. It said "contains no lead" on the tin but no idea how old it was. Was it good paint when I finally used it - but the fumes - stayed high for a week. I probably have my own hole in the ozone layer, but the UV coming through won't take the paint off my shed that's for sure.

 

[Agent_zed]

something I find tends to help is to lever a bit and move along and lever some more etc and move again. If you lever in one place the lid will bend and be a pain to open.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

My Dad always used to turn the can upside down to make a seal - I will not be responsible if you do that over a carpet

When we got here I used 13 year old oil based masonry paint I'd stored upside down. It took some stirring but it was perfectly OK.

 

[Inspector]

Or Search paint can opener | Wickes.co.uk

(slightly more expensive!)

The loop end is made to open beer bottles. Bonus!

Pete

 

[eribaMotters]

Early in my teaching career we used to get the kids at school to make the tin opener like Pedronicus posted above. Times moved on though and the lip on metal cans changed, so all that happens is they get totally chewed up.
I now wash out my 2.5L plastic "cans" and decant into these when needed, through a piece of women's tights. It's the cheapest fine filter material I've come across and works a treat.

Colin

 

[Doug71]

I find some of the acrylic paints and varnishes really make the lid stick, if they have been stood for a while you have to wreck the lid to get it off. Some even seem to cause the lid to rust which makes a real mess.

I read a tip that you should put clingfilm over the top of the tin before you put the lid on to help it seal and stop it sticking, I tried it but it didn't seem to help much.