How to deal with rusted paint cans

Dealing with rusted paint cans can be a real headache, especially when you’re in the middle of a project and discover your stored paint isn’t in the best condition. Whether you’re a DIY enthusiast or just tackling occasional home improvement tasks, knowing how to handle rusted cans can save you time, money, and frustration. In this guide, I’ll share practical tips to assess, salvage, and properly store your paint to prevent rust in the future.

Do you keep paint cans too long and find yourself dealing with rusted paint cans? Then, you’re in the right place because I will show you how to save the paint!

How to Deal With Rusted Paint Cans

Have you ever opened a paint can only to find the top had become rusty? You have a few choices on how to deal with rusted paint cans.

1. Use the paint from the can and take a chance of the rustiness getting on your brush.
2. You can pour it into a container to use for your current project.
3. You can throw it out.
4. Or you can do what I’m going to show you.

If that has happened to you, you know it’s nearly impossible to reseal a can like this to keep your paint in decent condition.

Pin this Rusted Paint Can Tip!

Repurpose Laundry Detergent Jug

I’ve found that it’s better to stir it up and carefully transfer it from the rusted paint can to a detergent jug for safe keeping.

TIP: You must rinse out all of the remaining detergent. I generally fill with water, shake, empty,  repeat several times. Then I fill the jug with water and let it set for awhile to loosen any buildup, then rinse, shake, repeat again.

Strain Old Paint

I have a couple of mesh paint strainers. You can pick them up at your local hardware store or on Amazon– 1 Gallon Elastic Opening Strainer Bags 6 Pieces.

Using caution while stirring your rusted paint can is a must. You don’t want those rusty bits to drop into the can.

As you can see, the paint is rather goopy toward the end of the can, but because I used the strainer, I know there are no clumps in the jug.

I decided it would be less messy if I pushed the strainer further into the jug. To make things easier, you could pour the paint from your rusted paint can into a bucket with a paint strainer and THEN into the detergent jug.

Clean Up The Messy Jug

You can see that the spout makes it difficult for the paint to get in the jug. I wiped it off and continued painting.

The next time I wanted to save some paint, I used a different jug. I removed the spout to get the paint into it.

I didn’t strain this can of paint because it was a brand-new gallon of paint.

After I poured the paint into the jug, I replaced the pour spout to make it easy to pour paint the next time I use it.

Mark Your Laundry Jug With the Proper Description

I used a marker to identify the brand, type, and color of the paint.

With the ERA jug, you can even see the amount of paint and the paint color in the little window. You can’t do that in a rusted paint can.

I have identified the color on this one as well.

Perhaps you’re on team “store paint in a mason jar.” I am not of that persuasion because I store my paint wherever I can find a spot. If stored up high, I can see that mason jar tipping off the shelf and landing with a big SPLAT onto the floor.

No More Rusted Paint Cans

So, if you have a surplus of laundry detergent jugs and are a paint hoarder like I am, you’ve got it made!

This pallet top table was painted with my oldest batch of paint, and LOOK, it’s stored in an old plastic milk jug. Seriously, that paint is probably 10 years old.

For this Vintage Sewing Drawer Makeover, I used a coffee creamer container to store DIY Chalky paint.

Do you have a great tip for storing paint? If so, please leave it in a comment below.

How about using some old paint to make your DIY Chalky Paint Primer? The best part about making your own primer is that your first topcoat will go on perfectly because you’ve already used that color as a primer! It’s a win/win!

gail