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 it.
- you can use the paint from the can and take a chance of the rustiness getting on your brush.
- you can pour it into a container to use for your current project.
- you can throw it out.
- 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.
I’ve found that it’s better to stir it up, and carefully transfer it into 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.
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
.
I stir the paint trying not to disturb any of the rust.
You can see toward the end of the can, the paint is rather goopy, 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.
You can see that the spout sort of makes it difficult for the paint to get in the jug. I wiped it off and went on with my painting.
The next time I wanted to save some paint, I used a different jug. I removed the spout in order 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.
I used a marker to identify the brand, type, and color of paint.
With the ERA jug, you can even see the amount of paint as well as the color of paint in the little window.
I have identified the color on this one as well.
So, if you have a surplus of laundry detergent jugs and are a paint hoarder like I am, you’ve got it made!
Do you have a great tip for storing paint? If so, please leave it in a comment below.
gail
Jennifer says
January 27, 2019 at 2:01 pmAbsolutely brilliant! Thank you superwoman for saving my day.
Gail Wilson says
January 27, 2019 at 10:24 pmwohooo! So happy you found this life hack helpful! I love pouring my paint and replacing the cap. Oh so easy!
gail
Margaret Rose says
September 1, 2018 at 7:04 pmI end up with old cans of paint given to me all the time. (Along the lines of “if you build it, they will come”.) They seem to multiply! Just went through several cans that had unreadable labels and rusty lids to see what was there.. Used a wire brush to get the majority of the rust off, then a quick wipe down with a rag before attempting to open them. Some were almost brand new inside, but had been left out in the rain for a season or two, so it was worth it to me to rescue them.
Gail Wilson says
September 4, 2018 at 10:25 pmAwesome save Margaret! I hate to waste any paint at all!
gail
Barbara says
March 8, 2018 at 10:16 amJust saw your idea for opened paint cans!! Brilliant! You have some of tbe most unique and terrific ideas anybody could come up with. I learn soo much from you! Thanks
Gail Wilson says
March 8, 2018 at 10:27 pmThanks so much Barbara! I still love this idea. Many people use mason jars, but I know that would be disastrous in my garage. 🙂 I appreciate your kind comment!!
gail
Lindsay says
February 21, 2018 at 10:12 amThank goodness I Googled my rusty can problem and found this,but how did you get the spout off!?
Gail Wilson says
February 21, 2018 at 12:19 pmYay! Lindsay. I love it when google helps out my friends.
Some spouts are removable others are not. I love storing paint this way-it’s so handy. Many people use mason jars, but I can’t keep glass jars in my garage! Yikes, that’s an accident waiting to happen. 🙂
gail
Deb says
June 3, 2016 at 1:15 pmWhat if the rust falls into the paint as you open the lid? Will the rust get strained out as I pour it into the strainer bag? or is my paint ruined?
gail@myrepurposedlife.com says
June 3, 2016 at 1:53 pmDeb,
If you’re trying to save the paint for projects, I would strain it and not worry about it. If you feel like it’s not worthy, use it as a primer on upcoming projects. Paint has to be pretty far gone before I throw it out.
If you’re painting walls, you may want to buy some new paint. 😉
gail
Cansealid says
March 26, 2016 at 7:26 amThere’s lots of great tips here! We just introduced a product called Cansealid that solves the exact frustrations you’re all having. It’s a durable, flexible silicone lid that fits tight on your large paint cans. It keeps your paint fresh with its patented air tight seal, it’s easy to remove because your paint doesn’t stick, and it’s stackable as it has a ridge around the edge so it doesn’t take up much storage space. It’s also reusable. Check us out! http://www.cansealid.com. We’re available to buy on amazon.ca.
Cansealid says
May 28, 2016 at 6:51 amWe’re also now available on Amazon.com
kevin says
November 9, 2015 at 10:42 amInteresting idea, but not practical for someone who paints regularly. The opening on a detergent can is far too small to mix. It is almost laughable to see the paint in the Clorox bottle. Take it from a professional, do not try this. This is a decent amateur solution, but the pros would use an old pickle jar, jelly jar, etc. Glass versus plastic. You need to be able to mix your paint before you do anything else. Also, Sherwin Williams sells plastic paint cans with many of their high ends paints now.
Furthermore, plastic is not a green solution either. Do what your grandfather did, put the paint in the pickle jar.
gail@myrepurposedlife.com says
November 9, 2015 at 2:22 pmI totally disagree!
I have a huge amount of paint on shelves. If the jug falls off the shelf, no harm, no foul. If a pickle jar falls off the shelf, HUGE mess!
It is a green solution for me.
I shake the jug, pour out what I want to use in a paint cup and I’m good to go! Glass is soooo not a solution for me. My grandad didn’t have plastic jugs to use, that’s why he used glass.
I would never use a bleach jug to store paint. That photo is NOT of paint jugs, it’s in my laundry room showing all the detergent jugs I had on hand.
by the way, why would you MIX paint in a full can or jar? I would pour it out in order to mix what I want to use. I use the paint for diy projects, pouring out only small amounts at a time.
thanks for stopping by and taking the time to leave a comment! It’s helpful for others who stop by later.
gail
big guy says
November 2, 2015 at 11:55 amA better solution than detergent jugs , which someone has also mentioned below, is the large size plastic coffee containers; they have large openings, snap on plastic lids, they never rust, and best of all they have molded in grip like handles!! Both Maxwellhouse & Folgers have this style; the large opening is great for mixing; Last year when looking for paint, noticed Dutch Boy brand had plastic cans. As these cans are not transparent, just pencil in a label identifying oil, or latex, place last used, indoor/outdoor and date, too if you like and tape it on lid! Blessings, fellow painters!!
gail@myrepurposedlife.com says
November 2, 2015 at 12:31 pmI totally disagree about the coffee containers being a better solution. 🙂
I use these jugs for long term storage in a messy garage. Can you imagine if the coffee jug fell off the 3 ft shelf? what a mess!
Happy the coffee jugs work for you .
gail
km9830 says
August 31, 2015 at 1:28 pmNice idea. Got here after looking on how to store paint. But the biggest problem I see about your re-purposed new containers that it is hard to stir the paint through the narrow neck after they have been lying around a couple of years, and you need to use it. Still a lot better than not having any paint at all when you need it.
gail@myrepurposedlife.com says
August 31, 2015 at 1:39 pmthanks for stopping by My Repurposed Life and taking the time to leave a comment. I’ve had some in one of my jugs for over 2 years, and I simply shake it after it’s set for a while. My favorite thing is that I can pour my paint with very little mess.
gail
Bliss says
March 28, 2015 at 9:18 amNext year this time you just know we’ll be seeing paint brands using your can redesign. I’m asking my friends to start saving me their laundry containers. So darn smart. You, not me.
leebee says
March 26, 2015 at 9:30 pmAsk a friend who has cats to save those big clear litter bottles for you. Use a plastic funnel to fill them. They’re translucent, but you can see the amount and color through them, and they are usually square, so will line up neatly on your shelf. 🙂
gail@myrepurposedlife.com says
March 26, 2015 at 9:57 pmThanks for your suggestion! I actually have those, but mine are too large. I wish I could find a great use for those. I just throw them into the recycling bin.
My ERA bottles have a little “window” that allows me to see the color and the amount of paint. That works for me for now.
AmyInNH says
August 19, 2014 at 4:35 pmSave the lid(s). Has paint color, manufacturer, should you need more.
AmyInNH says
August 19, 2014 at 5:34 pmps – helps to write store name and room you used the color in, if close to other colors used in the house. Finding Behr touch-ups blend beautifully, on matte paint, even years later.
Bob says
June 6, 2014 at 10:40 amI have been using Maxwell House coffee containers with your plastic down which I get from either Sam’s Club or Costco sugar about a gallon the lids do not rush the page does not go bad I do cut the labels off and put it take one to the outside of the containers so you know what you have we’re ready to go when pain at a later date with no rust
STANY says
April 18, 2014 at 3:43 pmUse bigger empty plastic bottles of water. Just dry them out, fill them up, cap them, write on the plastic bottle the drying time, manufacturer and code of paint..
Many gallons today are made in Chi… they rust quicly as they lack anti rust treatment
Transfer your paint as the gallon is new, dont wait till its rusted
Debra says
February 3, 2014 at 6:52 amGREAT IDEA Thank you for sharing.
Patricia in Denver says
August 30, 2013 at 6:47 pmI just opened a gallon of white semi gloss and the can was rusted. I closed it up again and planned on buying another can. Thank you for this great money saving tip!
OldLace4U says
August 27, 2013 at 8:55 amYeah, I don’t like to store my 2 paint cans upside down. And the rust gets on paint cans because the lids aren’t put back on tight enough, letting air and moisture inside the cans. I wash the paint off the lid after I’ve used it (I only use water-based paint I hate oil), wash it off the top of the can (I save lots and lots of old rags for cleaning), then everything is nice and clean to put the lid back on the can. Then I hammer it on with a rubber mallet (don’t use a metal hammer, that’s great way to dent the edges of your can). Sometimes if it’s stubborn to go on I’ll use a flathead screwdriver in the crevass of the lid and hammer on that. But cleaning the paint off the lid and can before putting the lid back on can save a lot mess, and you get sudden “splats” of paint off the edge of the can as you hammer the lid back on. Taking the time to be clean now can certainly be of great benefit for future use of things. I don’t get any rust on my cans.
OldLace4U says
August 27, 2013 at 9:00 amI meant to say, “save you getting sudden “splats” of paint…..”*
gail@myrepurposedlife.net says
August 27, 2013 at 9:17 amAll great tips! This particular can was inherited by me. I was not the one that let it get in such bad shape. 🙂
thanks for stopping by and taking the time to leave a comment.
gail
Karen says
August 26, 2013 at 9:09 pmWould be handy if paint companies just put it in jugs in the first place!
gail@myrepurposedlife.net says
August 26, 2013 at 9:14 pmI totally agree Karen! 🙂
Dutch Boy is the only one I know of that does have plastic jugs. But their lids are difficult for these old hands to open!
thanks for stopping by and taking the time to leave a comment!
gail
Joan Williams says
August 20, 2013 at 7:27 amSmart, smart, clever, thrifty, eco-friendly idea. Recently I had numerous paints left over from repainting the house. I bought a case of 24 quart canning mason jars for $8. Poured my paint in them, labeled the top of each jar and stored them back in the case in which I bought them. They stack neatly on my storage shelves with no debris inside each jar & the color easily visible
Julie @ follow your heart woodworking says
August 19, 2013 at 3:04 pmI was just asking at HD the other day if they had plastic “cans” to store paint in. (They didn’t) This is brilliant, Gail. I’d add one thing, a sample colour swatch somewhere, either on the lid or taped to the side. Thanks, now to find some detergent jugs, they take so long to use up!
Chris W says
August 16, 2013 at 7:09 pmI LOVE clever people like you, who make life SO much easier for unclever [is that even a word? :] people like me. Thanks bunches!!
gail@myrepurposedlife.net says
August 17, 2013 at 5:57 pmThank you Chris! I’m happy to share any and all pieces of advice and tidbits. 🙂
gail
Felicia says
August 16, 2013 at 8:59 amBrilliant. Simply brilliant!
Holly says
August 15, 2013 at 7:24 pmGreat idea! It certainly makes it easier to pour!
kirby carespodi says
August 15, 2013 at 2:10 pmNice! We use those orange juice containers from the dairy case–now that already made oj is cheaper than the frozen! They are clear, so we can see the color, and we use a homemade funnel to get it in there. Your idea is better, because the neck is bigger.
girlfromwva says
August 15, 2013 at 1:32 pmgreat idea for dealing with rusted paint cans! i think my Dad does the same thing.
Kitty says
August 15, 2013 at 11:11 amDo you store only water-based paints in plastic containers? The salesperson @ Home Depot wouldn’t sell me a plastic paint tray to use w/ oil base b/c of the possible reaction of oil on plastic.
gail@myrepurposedlife.net says
August 15, 2013 at 11:15 amKitty,
I only use water based paints. I know very little about oil based paints, and had no idea you couldn’t use a plastic paint tray with them. thanks!
gail
Stephanie@cre8tive says
August 15, 2013 at 10:59 amAren’t you smart! I have been buying the pods for my laundry detergent, and I bet those containers would work as well. Great tip Gail!
Sylvia says
August 15, 2013 at 9:53 amNow, this is smart! Wish you were next door; I recycled several detergent containers last week.
Deborah Powell says
August 15, 2013 at 9:41 amHave you tried just storing your paint can upside down. The paint doesn’t settle to the bottom as bad and the lack of air at the top keeps it from rusting.
Another trick I learned is to just wipe a smigen of petroleum jelly on the edge when I open the can. It you can wipe down the rim of the can very easy that way.
d
gail@myrepurposedlife.net says
August 15, 2013 at 8:25 pmDeborah,
Yes, I have been known to store them upside down, but not 100% of the time. Some of the paint has been given to me, as was this can that was so rusted.
Great tips for storing paint, thanks for sharing!
gail
Maxine says
August 15, 2013 at 9:25 amDefinitely a GOOD IDEA, I’ll have to try it. Special mesh for paint straining…couldn’t find any, but I use old pantyhose or tights that are the foot and leg cut off and it works great.
AmyInNH says
August 19, 2014 at 3:46 pmToule, from fabric store, is also good/cheap.
Pat says
August 15, 2013 at 9:21 amWell now…that makes me want to purchase laundry soap…
But I won’t. I still make my own. Just made a batch the other day.
But those jugs are awesome for lots of stuff.
I hate the rusty bits that form on the can too.
Have a good day…it is cool here this morning.
A nice break from the heat!
Patricia
Pam says
August 15, 2013 at 9:16 amAwesome idea….I tried the plastic coffee containers but I guess the lid does not seal tight enough when it snaps on …..so that did not work well. Now I have new life for my detergent bottles.
AmyInNH says
August 19, 2014 at 3:44 pmThe plastic coffee containers, particularly those with handles, are VERY handy for using to pour paint into when painting. Much easier than dragging a gallon can around up and down ladders. They also make pretty good birdhouses as the lid snaps off for easy cleaning out old nests.
Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co. says
August 15, 2013 at 8:56 amOh Gail, I really like this idea! I have a couple of old rusty paint cans in the garage right now. Unless it goes bad, I just can’t throw paint away either. Definitely going to try this!
Stacie Czech says
August 15, 2013 at 8:45 amWhat a great tip! Thank you!
NOREEN MAGUIRE TERLECKI says
August 15, 2013 at 8:45 amI JUST LOVE YOUR PAGE..I LOVE TO SEE WHAT YOU HAVE DONE AND ALL THE GREAT TIPS YOU HAVE…
Lori says
August 15, 2013 at 8:45 amI don’t have any great ideas for storing paint but just wanted to say…..Wow what a great idea and yes I am a paint hoarder as well. I will definitely start collecting some of these jugs. And oh the spouts, just made my life so much easier!! Thanks for sharing
Terri says
August 15, 2013 at 8:28 amWow…this is nothing short of brilliant!! I would have never thought of this and now it makes me want to go through people’s trash to find these containers. The liquid soap with the spout is the perfect solution, I will have to start doing more wash now, just to collect the containers!!