If you bought paint recently, you know that good quality paint is not cheap, so when you buy a gallon you want to make sure you use every drop of it.

If you finish a project and end up with half a gallon of paint, store it safely so you can reuse it next time.

Now, although the can is half-filled with paint it’s also half filled with air, and that air can cause problems. For instance, a thick skin will form on the top layer of the paint, making it almost impossible to use next time.

This happens, not only with paint, but also with clear-coat varnishes and sealers, so try to store it safely and seal out as much air as possible.

And all you need is some plastic food wrap. Pull off a piece of it and lay it right in the paint can.

Set it as carefully as you can on top of the paint, right on the paint itself, and then press it against the sides of the can.

So once the plastic’s sitting right on the paint like that, just replace the lid and store the paint. Then when you’re ready to paint again, just pull off the lid carefully.

Remove the plastic and the paint will be fresh, ready for a new coat.

Watch the video above to see Joe’s Simple Solution.

Editorial Contributors
avatar for Joe Truini

Joe Truini

Radio Show Co-Host

Joe Truini is a contractor, author, and the host of “Simple Solutions” on Today’s Homeowner TV and the weekly Today’s Homeowner radio show. He has worked on both large commercial projects and residential remodeling, and has written for national publications such as This Old House and Popular Mechanics. He has also written eight books, including three best-selling shed-building books. Joe lives in Connecticut with his family and enjoys hiking, traveling, and baseball in his spare time.

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