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simple tip for undoing paint caps

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tony palmer

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Posted
all enthused and ready to paint? can't get the bloomin cap off the tube? use a pair of nutcrackers! but don't press too hard.

Jenny Harris

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I find that just twists the tube if the cap is stuck really tight - best thing, at least for watercolour, is to run it under very hot water for thirty seconds or so before unscrewing.  I expect that’s what most people do anyway - or maybe it only works for watercolour?

Edited
by Jenny Harris

Alan Bickley

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It does twist the tube, I’ve tried it with pliers. The only way that I know is to pour a few inches of boiling water in a can, then hold the tube and immerse the cap end into the water and leave for thirty seconds - never fails!  Similar method in principle to Jenny’s idea. Seems to work on oil paint tubes too!

Fiona Phipps

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Nutcrackers every time for me too, works a treat. I keep some old ones in my paint bag, so I don’t go anywhere without them.
Moi 17

Linda Wilson

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Wouldn’t it be lovely if oil and watercolour paint came in the snap top tubes that acrylic paint comes in?
With Sarah, Phil, Ellen, Rose the dentist, and the granddaughter whose name I forget.

Robert Jones, NAPA

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I've taken extra care with this sort of thing since using pliers one day, I ripped the top off of a tube of Prussian Blue oil paint - went everywhere; well, everywhere on me, anyway.  Had a pet rat at the time, who compounded the problem by waddling over the palette which I'd dropped on the floor, getting his paws in the blue, and treading it all over the carpet.   Not one of my happiest or most productive days.  Ever tried washing oil paint of the paws of a rat who decides he quite likes it?  I can't advise it. Hot water - dipping the tube head into it, or running the hot tap over the cap - works for all sorts of paint.  Flip tops for those acrylics you buy in pots are good; but for those which have those sort of double caps, with a large top to get a grip, attached to a smaller tube (see Daler Rowney acrylics), dried acrylic can leave you simply twisting the top off and breaking them.  Again, if it feels at all stiff, dipping it in hot water usually works. I've also tried heating the cap with a cigar lighter: melted the cap, but did shift it.  I now have some older tubes of paint with the earlier versions of plastic caps, nicely scalloped round the edges thanks to the part-melting.   Actually boiling water might do the same - usually, water of around 40 degrees C is sufficient.   Of course, the real answer is carefully cleaning the thread of the tubes once we've squeezed out the paint.  And of course, we all do that.  Don't we? 

Alan Bickley

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Boiling water doesn’t affect the caps at all, basically we need manufacturers to come up with a solution - larger caps would help, square even! Yes, cleaning each time is the answer, but life’s too short for things like that! Having said that, I’ve started to do it on some of my mediums such as linseed/stand oils etc - a quick wipe with white spirits does prevent future problems.

Sylvia Evans

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Hint.  Do not use teeth .

Fiona Phipps

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😂😂😂😂😂 that's a good tip Sylvia!

Bari Marsh

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Sad to say I do use teeth..if you squeeze the edges of the tube the paint is sucked back in and helps keep the cap clean..
251-95

John Walker

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Use a wide elastic band; the sort that the Postman uses on large letters. Just hold it around the rim of the cap and it will grip the cap as you twist. Works 95% of the time. If you have tubes that just will not open, stock up with a few empty tubes. Snip the bottom off the tube and squeeze the contents into the new tube. Mark the tube and then fold the bottom over and nip the fold with pliers. I suppose the answer is to  smear the thread with Petroleum Jelly, and put a dab of it in the cap, so the paint doesn't dry to begin with. HTH John

Edited
by John Walker

Sylvia Evans

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Wow John that’s well thought through , I do know the sort of mess I would get into I think Robert and myself are often covered in varying colours.  Bari I admire your teeth.  Fiona I’m glad you think it’s sensible not to use the old ( very old ) ivories . 
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