A crucial aspect of maintaining paint pots, especially those with flip-top lids like Citadel paints, involves cleaning the rim and lid area. This specific cleaning ensures a tight seal, which is essential for preventing the paint inside from drying out over time.
Why Clean Paint Pot Rims and Lids?
Dried paint build-up around the lip of the paint pot and the corresponding inner rim of the lid can prevent the lid from closing properly. Even a small gap allows air to enter, leading to the paint thickening or drying out prematurely. Cleaning this area ensures an airtight closure, preserving your paint's consistency and lifespan.
As highlighted in the provided reference:
"...But this way once you pop it back. In put it back on the paint pot. And close the lid and as you can see. It's now closed nice and tight like and subscribe."
(Source: Citadel paint pot care - how to clean your paints and avoid ... - YouTube - Timestamp 0:08)
This excerpt emphasizes the outcome of proper paint pot care: a lid that closes "nice and tight," which is achieved by keeping the sealing surfaces clean.
Focusing on the Sealing Area
The primary area to clean for paint pot maintenance is the interface where the pot's rim meets the lid.
- Pot Rim: The top edge of the pot where paint residue often accumulates.
- Lid's Inner Rim: The part of the lid that presses against the pot's rim when closed.
Removing dried paint from these surfaces ensures they can mate perfectly, creating the necessary seal. While the reference doesn't detail the method of cleaning, the focus is clearly on achieving a tight closure by addressing build-up in this critical area.
Importance of a Tight Seal
Maintaining a tight seal is vital for several reasons:
- Prevents Drying: Reduces air exposure, slowing down paint evaporation and drying.
- Preserves Consistency: Helps the paint maintain its intended viscosity.
- Saves Money: Extends the usable life of your paints, reducing the need for frequent replacements.
Basic Paint Pot Maintenance Table
| Area to Clean | Purpose | Frequency Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Pot Rim & Lid Seal | Ensure tight closure | After each use (quick clean) |
| Pot Exterior | Keep workspace tidy, identify paint | As needed |
| Paint Interior | Not typically 'cleaned' - thin if needed | When paint thickens |
Cleaning the rim and lid to achieve a tight seal, as demonstrated by the result shown in the reference, is a fundamental step in caring for your miniature paints.
