Question-Stuck oil tube caps

[whdamon]

I have a number of oils in tubes I cann't get the caps off without destroying the tube. Rembrant seems to be the worst, specifically SEPIA. ANy one have any neat tricks to free these suckers up???

Walt Damon

 

[Roy]

Hi Walt...I usually heat the top of the tube near to the cap for a couple of seconds with a lighter..yeah I know there are probably much gentler methods, like soaking them in hot water, but this sure is a quick solution..

All the best..Roy.

 

[Einion]

Try pouring water directly from a boiled kettle over the caps. If they need a bit more then you could stand them cap-down in a shallow casserole dish or similar, in about 1/8"-1/4" of hot water, for a few minutes.

If you don't already do this wrap the tube in something thick like a folded dishcloth before you twist; I've found it really seems to help the tube not to tear.

Once you do get them open, scrape out the threads with a sharp tool and maybe give them a wipe with a turps- or spirit-soaked cloth (won't harm the paint).

Einion

 

[Wlas]

Rembrandt's Sepia is the worse!
I tap it with a pair of heavy pliers a couple/three times being careful not to pound the cap into the tube. Then I threaten it. Then holding it at the upper reaches of the tube I gently use the pliers. I then threaten it some more by telling the tube I will use Winsor-Newton Ultramarine and Burnt Umber instead.
Then it opens.
Einion is correct. It's critical to keep the grooves clean as well as the interior of the cap.

 

[John Bowery]

I have also put a little vaseline in the threads to try and stop the caps sticking. Note little amount. This works but keep the threads clean of paint.

I even use this on threads on lug nuts for Automobile wheels and stops the threads from rusting and keep the nut frozen. I learned this trick from a grandparent who worked on Auto's. It keeps the threads lubricated.
Cheers
John

 

[Guy]

I use hot water and a pair of pliers to gently loosen the cap.

 

[WPS]

Hello Walt,

I agree with mentioned methods of hot water to loosen and the use of a little bit of vaseline for prevention.
Before closing the tube countersqueeze the tube if possible so that the paint goes back in the tube a bit, than clean the thread with a cloth and use the vaseline.

Willem

 

[IIICorps]

Paper match or lighter. You want to heat the cap and the oil paint beneath it, but not burn the thing to a cinder.

 

[Mongo Mel]

I use an old pair of small Vise-Grips I had laying around.
I've adjusted the opening so that it just grabs the cap without crushing it.
I hold the tube in my hand and gently start turning the cap with the Vise-Grips. The grip and leverage it gives has always been enough to open even the most stubborn tubes for me.
But like the others have mentioned, keeping the threads clean really helps too
Craig

 

[PJ Deluhery]

Heat is what is needed. I use a hairdryer to gently heat the top of the tube and then twist gently with a pliers.

Not as exciting as lighting the thing on fire, but it gets the job done!

Be sure to clean the inside of the cap and the tube threads unless you enjoy doing this every time you open the cap.

 

[chippy]

I agree with all the above but would like to add one last piece of imformation,when you make the the first twist do it in a clockwise turn ,i.e tighting up about 1/4 to 1/2 turn .I don't why this works better but it was showen to me by an old plumber mate of mine ,I think its something to do with braking the contact holding the nut ,in this case the cap .