After I finish painting, what is the proper way to close up a paint can to preserve it to be used again? I've heard many different ways to save paint. One is to put some in a glass jar. One way is to cover the paint can with plastic then put on the cover tightly. Another way is to cover can tightly then turn can upside down so no air gets into the can. What do you suggest?
From tips, I have read and recently started using. 1. cereal wax paper cut in shape of the can lid or just a little bigger, place over the top of the paint to prevent film build up and dust and dried paint from falling when you open the paint after having stored it for awhile. 2. wipe clean the lid and the tracks where the lids fits.
3. place a sheet of saran wrap over can and place the lid on it this helps with sealing it and preventing paint that may dry on the lid from falling into the paint when opening. 4. taking a rubber mallet or a piece of block of wood over the lid and hammer lightly taping on the edges of the lid to seal the can. Do not use a hammer directly on the lid as it will dent the lid and damage the sealing of it. Next...
5. Wrap the cans in shrink wrap tightly. You can group the cans of the same paint for that same room in shrink wrap as well to make it easier to find all the like paints when its time to reuse them. Shrink wrap is stronger than saran but saran is better than nothing. If using saran run some clear tape over it to add to the sealing to prevent air from entering; saran wrap comes off easily after time. 6. store in an area without variable temp / heat changes they are best if they are stored on lower shelving due to the heat rises. Dark and dry area preferred. One area if you have the space can be in the house under the bathroom sink or kitchen sink in the far back of the cabinet. Use child locks if you have small kids. This is an idea (#5) I have yet to try but sounds sane enough to work.
I have seen many items shipped over the years using shrink wrap and have seen paint on skids wrapped with cardboard (for stacking) and shrink wrapped to keep upright and from spillage. That is how this idea come to me. Enjoy!
My method for storing paint cans: Clean groove thoroughly after using paint. In this groove on the can top I have driven a good size nail through the groove 3 or 4 times so that any paint that gets in there can drain back into the can. Then place lid on carefully, and use a hammer to seal the lid into the groove. Next, I make boxes of exactly the size of the cans so that I can slide boxes and cans underneath my lowest shelf in the garage. Retrieving the pain when needed is then a simple task.
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