Why Old-School Enamel Painters Cut the Rim Off Paint Cans
By John Shearer
Many professional painters trained in traditional oil enamel work still make their own “cut pots” or “enameling pots” from paint cans. In the old days, especially before waterborne trim paints took over, this was standard practice on high-end trim and door work.
What we’re cutting off is the rolled rim at the top of the can — commonly called the bead, chime, or lip. That rolled section is designed to hold the lid on and seal the paint during shipping and storage. The problem is that once you start brushing out of the can, especially with slow-flowing oil enamels, that groove becomes a trap for paint buildup, contamination, and drips.
By cutting the rim off, you eliminate: • dried paint chunks falling back into the coating • paint collecting in the groove • drips running down the side of the can • brush drag against the rim
For fine finish work, especially with long-open-time coatings like Hollandlac Satin or Brilliant, that matters.
One thing many painters may notice in these photos is that this is not a standard U.S. gallon can. It’s the Fine Paints of Europe 2.5-liter can, which is shorter and wider than a traditional American gallon. A lot of enamel painters prefer this format because it’s more stable in the hand and easier to palm while brushing for long periods of time.
From a practical standpoint, I still believe a converted paint can is superior to most store-bought cut buckets or flimsy plastic pails.
Why?
Because the original paint can was engineered to safely store high-end coatings for years. The inside plating resists corrosion; the steel is heavier; and the construction is far more durable than most disposable “ready buckets” sold today. In contrast, many cheap metal buckets begin rusting at the seams almost immediately after exposure to water or solvent.
There’s also an ergonomic advantage.
A proper enameling pot can be pinched between the thumb and palm while the fingers stabilize the body of the can. That may sound minor until you spend 8–10 hours brushing trim, doors, or cabinetry. Comfort and balance matter when your livelihood depends on brush control.
Best practice is to only fill the pot partially — roughly 1/5 full. That keeps the paint fresher, minimizes skinning over, and reduces contamination during long brushing sessions.
When I started painting in 1990 Shearer Painting - Seattle Wa. , virtually every interior trim package was oil enamel. Painters would brag about how long they had kept the same enameling pot in service. Some were name-tagged and maintained for months or years.
Today, most younger painters have never seen this. They’re used to buying disposable buckets for every project and throwing them away afterward.
Ironically, what started as a traditional efficiency technique also turned out to be environmentally practical. Over the years, I’d guess these cut pots have kept thousands of disposable buckets out of landfills on my own projects alone.