Paint Can FAQ - Paint Can Dimensions, How to Open a Paint Can and More
Paint cans are amazing containers. While their namesake comes from the fact that they're most commonly used to ship and store paints, dyes, and lacquers, there's much more to them than meets the eye. Paint cans are just like any other container that we offer at BASCO - they're amazing for their proposed purpose, but they're fantastic for containing about a million other things as well. For instance, have you ever seen paint can candles? They're gorgeous!
Here are Some Frequently Asked Paint Can Questions
At BASCO, we always say that there are no dumb questions. We're happy to answer just about any container queries that we hear, because we love to talk about containers and we can't shut up about them! We've been helping our customers find the right paint cans for the job for decades, so we decided to sum up the most frequently asked questions right here, so you can easily access them any time you need.
How to open a paint can:
Paint can lids are sealed tight, and it can be a bit of a challenge to open them if you're not already familiar with the process. Lucky for us, it's fairly easy!
All you'll need is a flat tool, like a putty knife, or even a flathead screwdriver. Just take your tool and push it underneath the paint cans lid, (or "plug"), and apply some leverage to lift the lid out of the can. Easy as pie!
How to close a paint can:
Now that you've opened your paint can, and you've completed your day's work, you'll likely need to reseal the container if you have any leftover paint. Just like the last step, this is super easy as well.
This time we'll be using a mallet and a piece of wood or other flat object that is large enough to completely cover the top of the can.
Simply place your lid back on the paint can opening, place your flat object on top of the lid, and give the object a firm thwack with your mallet. After a couple of hits, the lid should be firmly pushed back into place, resealing your can.
What are the dimensions of a paint can?
A paint can's dimensions can depend on the size and shape of the container, so we'll break down each different type of paint can that we offer.
Paint can dimensions:
5 quart paint can dimensions: 9.5"H x 6.5"D
1 gallon paint can dimensions: 7.5"H x 6.6"D
Half gallon paint can dimensions: 5.4"H x 5.9"D
1 quart paint can dimensions: 4.875"H x 4.25"D
1 pint paint can dimensions: 3.99"H x 3.5"D
Half pint paint can dimensions: 3"H x 2.88"D
How much paint coverage does each can hold?
If you're painting a room, you need to know how much paint to fill your cans with. Here, we'll tell you about how much square footage you can cover with each paint can.
Paint can coverage:
5 quart paint can: 437.4 square feet
1 gallon paint can: 350 square feet
Half gallon paint can: 175 square feet
1 quart paint can: 87.5 square feet
1 pint paint can: 43.75 square feet
Half pint paint can: 21.875 square feet
Note, this can depend on the type of paint you're using, as well as how you apply and how efficiently you use it. Results may vary slightly.
Should I use a metal or plastic paint can?
Each paint can material offers a different set of advantages, and it depends greatly on your application. We know that each job requires a different set of tools, skills, and containers, so for an in-depth analysis of plastic vs metal paint cans, you can read our blog on the subject here!
Still have paint can questions? Give us a call!
BASCO offers a wide variety of paint cans – you can get every container described in this article, and hundreds more, right here. In fact, you can find every kind of metal, plastic, fiber, or glass container from ¼ ounce all the way up to 330 gallons, at BASCO.
BASCO is dedicated to providing our customers with the answers they need to get the job done right. With our decades of experience in the container biz, it’s our mission to share our knowledge with people who need it. Hopefully, this article was useful, and if you have any questions that we haven’t answered, please feel free to reach out and contact our expert customer service team!