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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Joe Truini

Radio Show Co-Host

Joe Truini is a contractor, author, and the host of “Simple Solutions” on Today’s Homeowner TV and the weekly Today’s Homeowner radio show. He has worked on both large commercial projects and residential remodeling, and has written for national publications such as This Old House and Popular Mechanics. He has also written eight books, including three best-selling shed-building books. Joe lives in Connecticut with his family and enjoys hiking, traveling, and baseball in his spare time.

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