Product Spotlight: Metal Paint Cans

Paint Can Material: Steel Construction

Our metal paint cans are constructed from tin-plated steel with an ability to withstand aggressive solvents and formulas that could degrade most plastic containers over time. The interior is coated with a gray epoxy phenolic liner, a baked-on coating that creates a barrier between the steel and product inside, preventing corrosion and rust even with long-term storage of solvent-based paints and coatings. This liner also helps prevent the metal from reacting with pigments or resins, which could otherwise cause discoloration over a can's shelf life. Steel's rigidity also gives these cans a structural strength that plastic containers of a similar size can't match, allowing them to be stacked, palletized, and shipped without the risk of crushing or deformation.

• Tin-plated steel construction resists solvents and aggressive chemical formulas
• Gray epoxy phenolic interior liner prevents corrosion and rust
• High structural rigidity supports stacking and palletized shipping
• Widely accepted for scrap metal recycling at end of life

Lids and Locking Rings: How the Seal Works

A metal paint can's seal relies on two components working together: the metal lid, which is also coated with the same gray liner as the can body, and a natural HDPE locking ring, which is hammered or pressed down over the rim of the lid to compress it into the can's curled edge. This creates a tight, gasket-free seal without requiring an adhesive or a separate liner disc. Because the locking ring is a separate component, it can be removed and reapplied multiple times, which matters for cans that may need to be reopened and resealed during a production or quality-control process before final shipment. For 1 gallon cans specifically, a metal bail handle can also be added, giving the can a comfortable carrying grip similar to what most people associate with traditional paint packaging.

• Metal lid with durable gray epoxy phenolic liner
• Natural HDPE locking rings compress the lid into a tight seal
• Locking ring can be removed and reapplied as needed
• Optional metal bail handle for 1 gallon cans

Special Features: A Complete Component System

Unlike many container lines that ship as a single fixed unit, our metal paint can system is built from independently available components, letting you source exactly what your production line needs. Beyond the can, lid, and locking ring, we also stock metal clips designed for paint-style metal cans, which add an extra layer of security during handling and shipping. Rather than replacing the locking ring, these clips are applied on top of an already-sealed can: the hooked end slides under the rolled rim, the clip rolls over into the V-shaped groove where the rim meets the lid, and firm downward pressure snaps it tightly into place. Facilities shipping cans over rough roads, long distances, or through multiple handoffs often add a few of these clips evenly around the rim as insurance against a lid working loose in transit, without needing to change anything about how the can is filled or sealed in the first place. The clips are available in three sizes to fit the full range of our can line, from 1/2 pint and pint up through quart and gallon, so a facility running mixed can sizes doesn't need to special-order a different fastener for each one.

Possible Uses for Metal Paint Cans

Metal paint cans are built first and foremost for solvent-based and oil-based paints, stains, and varnishes, where the epoxy phenolic liner provides the chemical resistance these formulas require. Beyond traditional coatings, these cans are also a dependable choice for industrial adhesives, degreasers, and other solvent-heavy formulas that would be incompatible with standard HDPE or PET plastic packaging. Many small-batch and custom paint manufacturers also use these cans for retail sale, since the format is immediately recognizable to consumers and signals a professional-grade product. Automotive refinishing shops and industrial maintenance operations frequently use the 1 gallon size with a bail handle for job-site portability.

• Solvent-based and oil-based paints, stains, and varnishes
• Industrial adhesives and degreasers
• Custom and small-batch retail paint lines
• Automotive refinishing and maintenance products

Paint Can Sizes and Options Available

Metal paint cans are available in three standard sizes to match different production volumes: 1 pint for sample sizes and small-batch touch-up products, 1 quart for standard retail packaging, and 1 gallon for bulk professional and industrial use. Each size uses the same gray epoxy phenolic liner system, so chemical compatibility stays consistent whether you're packaging a small sample can or a full gallon for a contractor. The 1 gallon size is also the only format compatible with our optional metal bail handle, the preferred choice for products that will be carried directly to a job site.

• 1 pint
• 1 quart
• 1 gallon (bail handle compatible)