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How to deal with rusted paint cans

ByGail Wilson Published on Updated on
80 Comments

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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

rusted paint can

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

rusted paint can and an ERA laundry 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

ERA laundry jub with a mesh paint strainer straining 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.

stirring paint in a rusted can

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

big clump in paint 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.

paint stick pushing mesh strainer into laundry 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

messy paint in the neck of the laundry 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.

removing the spout from a green laundry jug

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

green laundry jug full of paint

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

replace the spout for easy pouring

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

green laundry jug with sharpie marking the type of paint

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

red laundry jug with paint showing through the window of the jug

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.

red jug with the words white semi-gloss trim

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

a dozen paint cans stored in a garage
a dozen laundry jugs

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

painting a table top with paint stored in a milk jug

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

Gail Wilson is the author and mastermind behind My Repurposed Life. She is obsessed with finding potential in unexpected places and believes that with a little hard work and imagination, any old thing can be made useful again, including herself!
Gail reinvented herself during a midlife crisis and has found purpose again. She hopes you will find new ideas for old things and pick up a few tools along the way.

80 Comments

  1. What a great idea! We built a house three years ago and had leftover paint still in the cans. I needed to do some touch ups and of course the cans were rusty and crusty and I was concerned about rust flakes dropping into the can and tainting the color where it wouldn’t match. This was time consuming, but I had the idea to carefully stir the paint and then used a cheap plastic turkey baster to siphon the paint into clean plastic containers with screw on lids. I did have to use one glass jar as I didn’t have enough plastic ones on had (it was about a third of a gallon and I used a container from mixed nuts that I thoroughly washed but it wasn’t large enough). I don’t use laundry detergent that comes in jugs but it never occurred to me to use a gallon plastic water jug, as we used distilled water for humidifiers and they are already clean! Thanks so much for sharing!

    Reply

    1. Vicki,

      Thanks for a quick chuckle as I imagine you using a turkey baster in the paint. That is soooo clever of you! Yes, that one paint I have has been in a water jug for more years than I can count. And it’s been stored in my attached garage.
      I’m so happy to hear that you figured out how to save your paint.

      gail

  2. I ladled the paint through some pantyhose into an empty detergent container. using a disposable plastic cup with the bottom cut out as a funnel, which eliminated the post clean-up. I was worried that the mesh would restrict the flow, but it went through as quickly as I could ladle it.

    Thanks for the tip!

    Reply

  3. I have a rusted can with orange paint, I think in the can. The top has rusted out and has let water in on top of the paint. The can is stuck to the concrete floor and I need advise as to how to remove it.

    Reply

    1. I would saturate the surrounding area with water mixed with some dish detergent. A metal putty knife or small shovel may help you pry it off the floor.

      good luck!
      gail

  4. Gail, this is ingenious! Laundry containers are so sturdy and have the removable spout which makes them ideal. Thanks so much for this tip.
    👏👏👏👏👏🥰🥰🥰🥰

    Reply

  5. Love the idea for paint Storage except for 1 thing; With Paint cans you can stack them as seen in pic. With Laundry Jugs or eater/milk gallons you can’t so they require more shelf floor etc type space. Also, question? Can paint go bad if in milk or water jug as they are more or less transparent? Love your emails.

    Reply

    1. Tammy, You have a point about the storage, but they are slimmer than paint cans, so I don’t find it an issue. 🙂

      That teal paint has been around since I painted my daughter’s bathroom more than 10 years ago. It is in a milk (or water) jug. I used it last year on a few projects, I’m confident that it is still good this year for my next small project.

      gail
      ps so happy you’re enjoying my emails!

    1. Woohoo Jaye!

      I’m happy to share my tips with you. I know not everyone keeps paint as long as I do. But even so, it’s a lot easier to open a laundry jug than a paint can. 🙂

      gail

    1. Liz,

      That’s odd. I have paint that is probably 10 years old (that aqua milk jug is still hanging around!) I keep paint for a long, long time and never noteiced that before.

      gail

  10. I use smaller containers to store my extra paint. They must be airtight-dishwashing soap bottles work pretty well, but NOT cottage cheese containers.
    After watching what you need to clean up on your jug, I think I would strain first and add to the jug last. Wastes a bit of paint but ugh! No clean up. Thx!!! Love your posts!!

    Reply

    1. I use butter dishes with lids for short term storage while painting additional coats. hahaha that was one jug, I’ve filled many many more without such a mess. If you make a mess, simply put the lid on and use a garden hose to clean up any spills. OR, be more careful than I was for that photo. lol

      I appreciate you stopping by!
      gail

  11. I opened paint I want to reuse but there are rust chips in the paint. Paint not very old 3 yrs and it’s been stored in the house. Can I strain this paint so I can use it again. As FYI.. the only paint cans that rusted on me were the Sherwin Williams cans.. thanks for your help. Gail

    Reply

    1. How strange Gail, that they were a particular brand and were stored in the house. I would definitely strain them, and store them in the jugs. I NEVER throw paint away. That milk jug paint, was around for years and years, and I did tons of small projects with it.
      Good luck!

      gail

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