post #3027591 post #1344860 post #771939

A paint can is a resealable can primarily used for storing paint. Paint cans are designed with an attached pail handle giving them the same functionality as a bucket when unsealed. Although not all cans of this design store paint, if it isn't obvious what is in the container, it is safe to assume that it contains paint. Smaller paint cans exist that do not have attached handles.

Sometimes other types of buckets will be used to store paint. The term paint bucket might be used to describe any bucket that contains paint, but only the resealable containers should be considered as a can, or referred to as a paint can for that matter.

General guidelines

• A paint can may be considered as both a can, and a bucket. Smaller ones should only be tagged as can. See example below.

post #2952375

• Spray paint is stored in a different type of can known as a spray can.