Paint Saver Keys

[Niol]

For the nonmeticulous who punch a tube anywhere when more paint is needed--like myself. These are plastic keys similar to those on sardine cans that effectively roll up tube paints from the bottom. By the makers of the Masterson palette which keeps paints wet - http://www.mastersonart.com/ Click on accessories to view keys. 24 in pkg, 6 ea small, medium, large. The small can be used as medium. Took me years to solve this problem.

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NJH

[Niol]

Make that 24 in pkg. but not 6 ea.

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NJH

[BJE]

Good idea, Niol. Now if I could stop breaking the tubes while trying to get the cap off!
Jean

[Phyllis Rennie]

The keys look pretty neat. Thanks for passing on the hint. Best way to get caps off easily is to rub a bit of Vaseline onto the threads when the tube is brand new. And I use a nutcracker to get off the ones that are stuck on with dried paint. But I have a few with holes, missing labels, broken and missing caps, and some that I transfered to film canisters. Some are a real mess!!! But I'm trying to be more careful with the new ones.

["B"]

BJE, a nutcracker...good, also needle-nose
pliars and a rubber lid remover. The pliars
to hold the tube aboud the neck-shoulder area of the tube and the rubber lid remover to address the cap. Works!

[Mary Kay]

Another way to get a stubborn cap off is to heat it with a match. It will twist off without tearing the tube. I keep a pack of matches with my paint now. This works for watercolors, I don't know about oils or acrylics. The match works better than hot water.

MK

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