How to deal with rusted paint cans
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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.
- 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.
- 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
I 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.
Awesome save Margaret! I hate to waste any paint at all!
gail
Just 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
Thanks 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
Thank goodness I Googled my rusty can problem and found this,but how did you get the spout off!?
Yay! 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
What 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?
Deb,
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
There’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.
We’re also now available on Amazon.com
Interesting 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.
I 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
A 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!!
I 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
Nice 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.
thanks 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
Next 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.
Ask 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. 🙂
Thanks 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.
Save the lid(s). Has paint color, manufacturer, should you need more.
ps – 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.
I 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