Whenever you pour paint directly out of a can, it always creates a bit of a mess. It gets into the rim and dries as crusty bits, or it drips down the side of the can.

Worst of all, you have to spend even more time cleaning up each of these messes!

Here’s how to hack a paint can to prevent making a mess. It will make paint jobs more efficient, minimizing clean-up so you can move on to other projects.

All you need is a roll of tape that’s at least an inch and a half or two inches wide.

  1. Tear off a piece that’s 8 or 9 inches long and stick it to the edge of the rim. Then press it on tightly.
  2. Make sure it extends an inch or two past the rim of the can. Then take another piece that’s about the same length and, again, stick it down an inch or so.
  3. Then fold the resulting tabs under, and that creates a bit of a spout.
  4. Next, pour the paint from the can and into a roller tray. It doesn’t make a mess! And when you pull that tape off, you’ll get a nice clean rim.

Watch the video, and check out more Simple Solutions.


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Mitchell Layton

Mitchell Layton is a former professional mover who currently lives in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Mitchell spent years packing and moving for REAL Rock N Roll Movers, a commercial and residential moving company based in Los Angeles that’s primarily staffed with up-and-coming musicians. That gave him plenty of experience navigating box trucks up and down the winding streets of LA. In addition to moving hundreds of happy customers into new homes and apartments all across Southern California, Mitchell has also performed corporate moves on company lots for Nickelodeon, Warner Bros, Universal Studios, Paramount, and more. After pouring blood, sweat, and tears into his profession, Mitchell has all the helpful tips you need for your next move.

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