groo12 Posted September 2, 2012 Share Posted September 2, 2012 I have a few paint jars which I cannot open. I can loosen the lid with a small screwdriver. Is there a better way. (I am assuming there is) Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martinfan5 Posted September 2, 2012 Share Posted September 2, 2012 You can run it under hot water for a little bit, I just use a pair of pilers to get the ones that are stuck , works every time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fat Brian Posted September 2, 2012 Share Posted September 2, 2012 I hold the jar with an adjustable wrench if it's a squarish shape so I don't bear on it while turning the lid with pliers or channel locks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete J. Posted September 2, 2012 Share Posted September 2, 2012 Turn it upside down and drip a little lacquer thinner between the lid and the treads so it fills the area between. Give it a minute or so and don't let it dry. By the way the easiest way is to clean the top and threads throughly with thinner everytime after you open it. I now, it is more work that way, but it is easier than struggling with a jar that just won't open. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modelmike Posted September 2, 2012 Share Posted September 2, 2012 Use your teeth.... I do... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjordan2 Posted September 2, 2012 Share Posted September 2, 2012 Use your teeth.... I do... This is Mike today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deathgoblin Posted September 2, 2012 Share Posted September 2, 2012 Channel locks and bear strength. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danno Posted September 2, 2012 Share Posted September 2, 2012 12 guage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ace-Garageguy Posted September 2, 2012 Share Posted September 2, 2012 12 guage. Or a big hammer if you're not into firearms. Either way, it makes the paint a little difficult to use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cobraman Posted September 2, 2012 Share Posted September 2, 2012 Desert Eagle 50 AE. Messy but works everytime. : ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazyjim Posted September 2, 2012 Share Posted September 2, 2012 Righty tighty. Lefty loosey. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Foxer Posted September 2, 2012 Share Posted September 2, 2012 Pliers and hot water works for the worst stuck caps, but I got this jar opener tool that keeps me from running upstairs for the hot water tap a lot It really was worth getting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry P. Posted September 2, 2012 Share Posted September 2, 2012 For the small square Testors bottles, pliers on the cap, adjustable wrench on the bottle. No stuck cap can resist the force. For round bottles, run the cap under hot water for 30 seconds. Metal expands faster than glass, the cap will come right off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
groo12 Posted September 2, 2012 Author Share Posted September 2, 2012 Some awesome ideas there. I think I'll be purchasing a jar opener, way easier to get than firearms in Australia (sadly!) and I have spent way too much on dental to risk my teeth. In the meantime it's off to the sink for me. I like the idea of opening jars with a pistol, reminds me of a Simpsons episode where Homer does that and turns out lights with it. Would be an interesting paint effect! Thanks to everyone for the great ideas and quick feedback. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eizzle Posted September 3, 2012 Share Posted September 3, 2012 Hell yeah, a Simpsons fan! I like the .50 idea Myself, if you catch the edge of the cap just right, it will spin it right off... Catch it wrong and you better close your eyes! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joker Posted September 3, 2012 Share Posted September 3, 2012 What ever you do ...try it outdoors.. major paint spillage if jar shatters Don't ask me how I know Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Sumner Posted September 3, 2012 Share Posted September 3, 2012 I use the upside down lacquer thinner method too...works like a charm! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Handley Posted September 3, 2012 Share Posted September 3, 2012 Depends, usually I just twist harder, if that don't work I tap the cap on the edge of a counter or something like that, and if that don't work I break out the Robogrip pliers.............not many stuck caps stay stuck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcbigpaw Posted September 3, 2012 Share Posted September 3, 2012 I've found that a hammer works really well unless you actually want to use the contents. Lol If I can't twist it off with a good set of pliers I tip it upside down in a shallow small dish and put just a few drops of thinner around the seal of the lid. Tends to work it's way in. Usually you just need more elbow grease on the pliers though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Posted September 3, 2012 Share Posted September 3, 2012 If you use pliers or Chanellocks, be sure to hold the bottle in some paper towels or something disposable. I have had the glass jars break while trying to open them. Makes a big mess! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoparWoman Jamie Posted September 3, 2012 Share Posted September 3, 2012 How do I open paint jars?... easy... with my hands. LOL Now if it's a jar that will not open, I brake out the pliers and go to town with the lid on the jar. Mostly comes right free real well. Only broke one jar top about 11 years ago by using pliers on the top. Was a close call to slicing my hand open too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slusher Posted September 3, 2012 Share Posted September 3, 2012 l bought a jar opener from micro mark. l tend to only have problems with the new ones. Channel locks also works.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CorvairJim Posted September 3, 2012 Share Posted September 3, 2012 What ever you do ...try it outdoors.. major paint spillage if jar shatters Don't ask me how I know Ditto... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James2 Posted September 3, 2012 Share Posted September 3, 2012 I use my eye socket Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Foxer Posted September 3, 2012 Share Posted September 3, 2012 I use my eye socket I don't even want to hear from all the anal car modelers here! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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