I hate paint cans. They are designed to slop paint all over the place when you tip them to get your paint out. GRRR! And dipping a brush into the can is not any neater, because the paint excess dribbles into the lip of the can. This makes resealing the lid a messy task. Here’s a tip I’d read in an old home improvement magazine: Punch holes in the lip of the can, with a nail!
Just take a simple nail and hammer a few holes around the lip. Any paint that pools in the lip will drip through your new holes and back into the can. 
This makes sealing the lid easy, because there is no more river of wet paint sitting in the lip. Another tip– if you are going to be painting again later in the day and don’t want to hard seal the paint lid back on the can, lay a layer of plastic wrap (Saran Wrap) over the open can. Then, take your can lid and press firmly over the can (don’t hammer it back in). This will keep air out of your paint can for a few hours. Of course, if you intend on leaving your paint job for more then a few hours, it’s best to hammer the lid back on securely, to keep the paint fresh.
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June 18th, 2008 at 10:40 am
Well that is something new and useful!
June 20th, 2008 at 12:11 pm
Wow..what an easy fix to a big mess! Thank you for sharing!
June 23rd, 2008 at 8:09 pm
Since we live in a 100 year old victorian house that sat empty for several years, I have become quite friendly with the paint can and brushes lately. It infuriates my husband when I start painting without putting those little holes in their first.
Oh well, he needs a little excitement in his life.
Love the idea about the plastic wrap for a short break. I use plastic wrap on my brushes to keep them from hardening. I have been known to even stick them in the refrigerator.
June 23rd, 2008 at 8:10 pm
*there..not their