Does anyone have an easy inexpensive yet durable method of maintaining a good seal on paint jar lids? I have over 30 with original paper inserts that used a plastic covering (peeled off when first opened). The inserts have done a number on the edges of the jar opening and I keep having to pry off the paper insert when I periodically open one of these jars. I recall some postings years ago on this, but cannot locate the proper word string to search for them. Thanks Cedarwoodron
Somewhere along the line I came into possession of a length of thin polyethylene sheet. I trace the outside diameter of an empty paint jar neck, cut out the PE circle, and then put that inside the lid of paint jars that are giving me problems. Probably something like margarine, sour creme, or Cool Whip container lids would work as well as a source of PE.
Greg
Ron,
You can clean off the mouth of the paint jar, place a new ‘seal’ in the cap and even store them upside-down - the paint will ‘gel’ or dry out eventually. The real problem is that as you use paint, there is more ‘air’ in the bottle and the paint oxidizes over time.
I have had better luck with the new acrylic paints…
Jim
I use a small piece of handy-wrap or similar plastic cut from a baggie stretched over the bottle opening as the cap is replaced.
I use a wet paper towel occasionally to clean off the top of the jar, removing both gummy paint and the paper from that inner cap seal.
What is the purpose of that inner cap seal anyhow?
Do you need it?
Rich
I used to have all sorts of problems with paint jar lids. A local pro-painter suggested that I wipe the paint off the threads and mouth of the jar with a paper towel before replacing the lid. I do this every time I open a jar to use it. I haven’t had problems with jar lids in years.
Guy
I clean off the bottle top thorughly and then use a circle of cut out Ziplock or other freezer bag to seal the contents in…I used to use saran or other plastic wrap as mentioned above, but the Ziplock or other brand freezer bag lasts longer and is thicker. If that is to thick, try using the standard Ziplock storage bag…it is still thicker than the plastic {saran brand} wrap…but not as thick as the freezer bags. I find the regular storage bags in the largest size cut to a cirlcle is also good for sandwhiching into the lid of a paint can {house type} or the small new bottles {pint/qt size}.
{I also use the same method to cover/seal the large bottles of spices as I reclose them after filing the table sized or standard sized bottles}.
[8-|]
I go one step further.
I wipe the jar mouth with a paper towel. Next I use a Q-tip and wipe the paint off the inside of the lid just around the outside near the threads.
I used to use plastic wrap, but that became a pain to cut and put on every time.
As others have already said, wiping the top of the jar and inside the cap will eliminate the problem most of the time.
If I have a jar where the paper cap liner stays stuck to the top of the bottle then I use an Xacto knife to cut it loose. I doesn’t have to be a fresh blade. That usually keeps the liner intact, and wiping before putting the lid back on usually means that it will come off cleanly the next time.
Dave