Want to pour paint from a tin faster, without making a mess? Here’s how to do it with the following tips.
Preparation
1. Make sure you have a surface that can get dirty and that you won’t need to walk on before painting. So cover the plaster floor if you are using one. Spills happen to the best of us, and it’s better to be safe than sorry!
2. Keep a lint-free cloth handy to clean the edge of the can after pouring (if using a Pour and Go, this will hardly be necessary, if at all).
3. Open the can with a good opener and make sure that neither the sealing ring nor the lid is damaged in the process.
Pouring paint
4. Use a Pour and Go pouring aid when working with 0.75 or 1 litre tins. Make sure that the hook is on the outside of the tin and the lip is under the edge of the tin. This will keep the edge clean.
5. Pour out the required paint in one smooth movement and place the can back on the safe surface. Make sure you pour on the side where the important information, such as the colour number, is NOT located, in case a drop lands on the label.
6. Immediately wipe any excess paint from the edge of the tin and, if necessary, from the inside of the tin. Keep the tin as clean as possible. This will not only keep the important information legible, but also keep the edge of the tin clean so that you can reseal it airtight and the paint will last much longer.
Re-sealing the tin can and storing paint
7. Seal the tin tightly immediately after pouring out the paint and cleaning the rim. This prevents dust particles from getting into the paint. Press down firmly around the rim of the tin lid so that the seal is as good as it was before opening.
8. If the lid is difficult to close, or if you have little strength in your fingers, place a flat board on the lid and tap the board with a (rubber) hammer to close the lid completely. Do not tap the lid itself with a hammer, as this will only cause damage.
9. As the original tin (or plastic bucket) empties, more air enters the tin. To keep the paint in good condition, you can pour the remainder into a smaller tin and close it tightly. This ensures that the remainder will remain in good condition even after prolonged storage (how long do you store paint?).
This will keep the paint clean, prevent skin formation and maintain its optimal quality.