sb67 Posted February 18, 2019 Share Posted February 18, 2019 Does anybody know how I could free a couple of lids on some Railmatch Paints. They havent been used for ages and have stuck fast! Tried holding the lids in a vice but that didn't work. At the moment I've squirted WD40 around the thread hoping it will find it's way to the paint and free it. I fear I might have to break the kids off and decant the paint into another jar. Steve. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium John M Upton Posted February 18, 2019 RMweb Premium Share Posted February 18, 2019 Run lid under a hot tap for a minute or two and then try and open whilst gripping with a towel. Those Railmatch lids are an absolute pain. 1 7 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul80 Posted February 18, 2019 Share Posted February 18, 2019 If that fails, put some thinner in a bowl and stand the pots in it lid first, they try to unscrew them every 5 to 10 minutes until the lid comes off. 1 1 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Mick Bonwick Posted February 18, 2019 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 18, 2019 If the thinners suggested by Paul80 aren't successful, use Revell Painta Clean. This will break the bond between the dried paint and the glass bottle. Eventually! Railmatch paint lids are not a problem if you treat them properly, in much the same way as Humbrol and Revell paint tinlets. Before you replace the lid, make sure that every last drop of paint has been removed from the interior of the lid and the rim of the container, where the two touch. If there's no paint there it can't harden and stick them together. Since I realised that I've had no more problems with either type of container and lid, and I use quite a few. 1 5 1 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete the Elaner Posted February 18, 2019 Share Posted February 18, 2019 1 hour ago, Mick Bonwick said: Railmatch paint lids are not a problem if you treat them properly, in much the same way as Humbrol and Revell paint tinlets. Before you replace the lid, make sure that every last drop of paint has been removed from the interior of the lid and the rim of the container, where the two touch. If there's no paint there it can't harden and stick them together. Since I realised that I've had no more problems with either type of container and lid, and I use quite a few. Treat them "properly"? You mean fiddle around because the manufacturer has arrogantly ignored a tried & tested design (a tinlet) which has been used by many because it does not suffer this problem. 2 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Mick Bonwick Posted February 18, 2019 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 18, 2019 It's a different design, and uses different materials. Nothing wrong with that. If you can't cope with it, don't use it. 1 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest teacupteacup Posted February 18, 2019 Share Posted February 18, 2019 2 hours ago, Pete the Elaner said: Treat them "properly"? You mean fiddle around because the manufacturer has arrogantly ignored a tried & tested design (a tinlet) which has been used by many because it does not suffer this problem. Arrogantly? Wow. It's a jar of paint. Calm down Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gibbo675 Posted February 18, 2019 Share Posted February 18, 2019 Hi There, I save Railmatch jar lids in case of serious sticking problems for last time I used a small pair of Stillson pipe grips to remove a stuck lid rather surprisingly it cracked. Do remember to re-label the replacement lids though ! I find that gentle tapping with the plastic coated handles of my small pliers along with the hot water and tea towel trick usually works better than Stillson grips all the same. Better still that I clean the lid and the top of the jar as also noted above. Gibbo. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium t-b-g Posted February 18, 2019 RMweb Premium Share Posted February 18, 2019 (edited) I have never had any problem just putting some just boiled water from the kettle in an egg cup and putting the jar lid down into it for a minute or so. The glass and plastic expand at different rates and it soon breaks the joint. Edited February 18, 2019 by t-b-g 1 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete the Elaner Posted February 18, 2019 Share Posted February 18, 2019 (edited) 28 minutes ago, teacupteacup said: Arrogantly? Wow. It's a jar of paint. Calm down Someone at Railmatch must have realised that a glass jar with a lid more suitable for peanut butter gets stuck on & this is why other paint manufacturers use a different design. Refusing to refine or abandon it is arrogance. What is with the calm down comment? I am just stating a fact, not getting upset about it. Edited February 18, 2019 by Pete the Elaner Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sb67 Posted February 18, 2019 Author Share Posted February 18, 2019 Thanks for everyones advice, I stood them upside down in a bowl of hot water and hey presto, off the came. Easy really! I never thought that would work on enamel paints. Thanks once again. Steve. 3 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulS Posted February 18, 2019 Share Posted February 18, 2019 8 minutes ago, sb67 said: Thanks for everyones advice, I stood them upside down in a bowl of hot water and hey presto, off the came. Easy really! I never thought that would work on enamel paints. Thanks once again. Steve. Works for Marmite jars too! 1 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PAL Posted February 18, 2019 Share Posted February 18, 2019 I'm surprised no-one has yet mentioned the baby boa strap wrench, which is, in our kitchen, an ever-present help in time of trouble with all such problems. I don't know how to do web links but if you type in baby boa strap wrench on ebay, you'll see what I mean. We have the bigger version too, the boa constrictor for super-size lids. I've never known them fail. 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wirey33 Posted February 18, 2019 Share Posted February 18, 2019 2 hours ago, PaulS said: Works for Marmite jars too! Stop it............... Bad enough that people can get hot under the collar about paint lids; and then you wade in with Marmite. 1 10 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Dunsignalling Posted February 18, 2019 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 18, 2019 These little bu66ers tend to stick fast if you leave even a little paint around the edges. The hot water trick usually works so long as it wasn't really messy when you put the lid back on. Future problems can be avoided by putting a bit of cling-film about 50mm square over the jar before replacing the lid. John 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
alastairq Posted February 18, 2019 Share Posted February 18, 2019 I have an old pair of kitchen scissors [used to be called 'bacon scissors, for some reason?]...orange metal handles...the bit of the handle between finger 'oles and blades, is concave, with serrated edges on the insides...very useful for getting bottle tops , screw lids, etc, off....[Might be a tad old-school for those used to plastic things?] These are similar to mine....belonged to my late Mother...and I'm nearly as old as she was when she passed away..... 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tractor_37260 Posted February 18, 2019 Share Posted February 18, 2019 This is a very useful tool for any kind of jars with stuck on lids, used one for years............ https://www.micromark.com/Jar-Opener-5-Inch-Dia-Capacity Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Gilbert Posted February 18, 2019 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 18, 2019 2 hours ago, PaulS said: Works for Marmite jars too! I did the very same thing with a new and very firmly fixed jar of Pickled Onions last night - worked a treat... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Mick Bonwick Posted February 18, 2019 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 18, 2019 1 hour ago, Gilbert said: I did the very same thing with a new and very firmly fixed jar of Pickled Onions last night - worked a treat... Wish I'd been there . . . . . . . . 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Izzy Posted February 19, 2019 RMweb Premium Share Posted February 19, 2019 I admire those who are able to use these jars of paints, having just about given up. The actual paint is okay, generally a good match to some RTR stock, but as soon as I open a jar for the first time the paint skins thickly from then on whatever I do, and no matter that the lids can only be removed with the hot water method....really bemuses me. Must be something I am doing wrong. Izzy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Mick Bonwick Posted February 19, 2019 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 19, 2019 12 minutes ago, Izzy said: I admire those who are able to use these jars of paints, having just about given up. The actual paint is okay, generally a good match to some RTR stock, but as soon as I open a jar for the first time the paint skins thickly from then on whatever I do, and no matter that the lids can only be removed with the hot water method....really bemuses me. Must be something I am doing wrong. Izzy There is one suggestion in the post referred to here. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jol Wilkinson Posted February 19, 2019 Share Posted February 19, 2019 On 18/02/2019 at 06:12, sb67 said: Does anybody know how I could free a couple of lids on some Railmatch Paints. They havent been used for ages and have stuck fast! Tried holding the lids in a vice but that didn't work. At the moment I've squirted WD40 around the thread hoping it will find it's way to the paint and free it. I fear I might have to break the kids off and decant the paint into another jar. Steve. Something of an aside but WD40 isn't a particularly good solvent. For the problem in the OP, white spirit would be better or more effective, cellulose thinners, butanone or similar. WD40 was designed as a de-greaser and corrosion preventer, primarily aimed at water dispersion (hence the WD). It isn't particularly good as a penetrating oil for rusted bolts, etc., Plus Gas being far more effective. 1 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffP Posted February 19, 2019 Share Posted February 19, 2019 WD40 is, however, an absolutely excellent substance for removing sticky labels and the gunk they leave behind. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jol Wilkinson Posted February 20, 2019 Share Posted February 20, 2019 16 hours ago, JeffP said: WD40 is, however, an absolutely excellent substance for removing sticky labels and the gunk they leave behind. I prefer ciggy lighter fluid for that. It evaporates quickly and is also good for cleaning crud off wheels, track, etc. when used with a cotton bud. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium uax6 Posted February 20, 2019 RMweb Premium Share Posted February 20, 2019 19 hours ago, JeffP said: WD40 is, however, an absolutely excellent substance for removing sticky labels and the gunk they leave behind. And for destroying certain types of plastics that are used for electrical insulation..... Andy G 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now