A buddy recently gave me some Gunze paints; they are still good but I can't seem to get the lids off; have tried hot water to loosen cap, using jar opener pad, tried pliers but was afraid I'd crack lid; any ideas? Paint still liquid in all jars but lids stubborn 😣

Flip the jar upside down....drop some lacquer thinner in between
the jar and the lid...wait 10-15 mins. and this will loosen the
lid.

Works for me.
Cheers,
Joe

Didn't think of that; thanks; appreciate it; don't usually have this much trouble

Hi Brian...if you use Mr. Hobby/Gunzy paints and Tamiya, this
is a worthwhile investment.

This device is a cap wrench for the 10ml bottles and the blue
rubber device holds the bottle.

The blue rubber device can also be used on the larger 23ml
Tamiya bottles.

Loosens tight caps every time.

Great tool for the workbench.

https://www.amazon.com/Gundam-Mr-Opener-Paint-Tool/dp/B0010ZXS7Q

Cheers,
Joe

I use a simpler and cheaper solution--it works for just about every brand of paint-- a wide rubber band wound tightly around the cap and one for the jar, grip, then twist-- this will also open the cap for just about any paint. But I also like to cut my old bike inner tubes into wide bands, it does the same thing without having to double or triple the rubber bands. It has to be a wide rubber band to work. If that doesn't do it, I use the lacquer thinner and eye-dropper technique mentioned above.
VR, Russ

Thanks guys; good advice and ideas all around; appreciate it

I just use a pair of channel locks on the cap. It always works and I've only broken 1 bottle in 48 years.

If the cap is metal you can light a match and heat the sides of the cap. The heat softens the dried paint and the cap comes right off.

Just a reminder, clean cap and bottle threads before putting the lid back on.

This is an older thread, I know, but I have a method that often works for me that wasn't mentioned before (I've tried most of the previously mentioned methods and they work as well). How about placing the lids of your paint bottles under running hot water, or dipping the lids in a dish of hot water? The water needs to be REALLY hot, to expand the lid more than the bottle, so you have to be careful not to burn yourself.

Tap the cover all the way around. Put a wide rubber band on the bottle part for grip, and use a Vice-Grip on the cover. Usually works.