Pour Paint Without Making a Mess

What happens here

To pour paint cleanly, always have a paintbrush readily available. Begin pouring the paint from the original container into your smaller working bucket. Allow the paint to flow steadily, and then, rather than stopping abruptly, snap the can back quickly once you have enough paint. This quick snap helps to prevent drips. Any paint that might have flicked onto the side of the can can be wiped away with the brush. Crucially, use the brush to scrape any paint that pooled on the top lip or groove of the can back into the container. Ensuring the rim is clean before replacing the lid will prevent the lid from getting glued on by dried paint, making it much easier to open the can next time and avoiding dried paint flakes from falling into your fresh paint.

Goal: This hack provides a technique for neatly pouring paint from a gallon or five-gallon bucket into a smaller container, preventing paint from accumulating on the rim and sides of the can, which can cause the lid to seal shut.