What is the best fix to loosen up the tops on oil paint tubes? Soaking them in turps? Thanks.

Hot water

I start by using anything like a pair of pliers to gain leverage over the cap. Turn the cap by applying slow and steady pressure with the pliers, being careful not to crush the cap. And you don't want to twist the tube. Sometimes I will squeeze the paint to the top of the tube to make it more rigid. If this doesn't work, I will apply some lacquer thinner around the bottom of the cap and give it some time to work its way into the threads. Then I try the pliers again. When this fails, I have some empty oil paint tubes I bought thru Amazon. I just cut the original tube and transfer the paint to the new one. But this has only been for a color that's not available anymore or is very expensive to replace.

reheating the flame of a lighter for 2 seconds

Just immerse the paint tube upside down in boiling water for 2-3 minutes. It softens the hard paint inside enough to turn the cap.

Keith

I use a nutcracker.

Always works.

Marc

A match and pliers are my solution.

Cheers

Huw

I use pliers and it works. Slowly twist the pliers, keeping the tube immobile.

Chris

When I tighten a paint tube lid I then loosen it a quarter turn. I find it much easier to open then.

The boiling water always works

If you do use pliers or nut crackers be cautious as some of the paint caps are quite delicate, I've had a few crumble on me, even quite new tubes. It may be that W&N had a bad batch but I know I am not the only one to have experienced this problem.

To be honest I often find putting a cloth or another fabric to protect you hand around the cap gives you sufficient leverage to remove it-Hot Water is the second course and pliers if nothing else works.

If all else fails switch to Acrylics....LOL....I am joking

Keith

Here are a few tips I learned over the years:
Try gently tightening the cap if it is stuck, then loosen.
Put Vaseline on the threads of a new tube and put the cap on to lubricate both.
Instead of wiping the extruded paint onto your palate, wipe the paint off with a toothpick or spatula so not to get paint on the threads. Also, if you hold the top of the tube and gently pull down on the crimped end by holding the points with thumb and finger to retract some of the paint back into the tube. This prevents the paint from squishing out onto the threads when placing the cap back on.
Joe

Thanks for all the suggestions.

A nutcracker or boiling water. Good ideas for the future.

Paint more don't give them chance to set

I will be retiring this June after 34+ years practicing law as an assistant prosecutor. The law is a jealous mistress so come July I will no longer have an excuse!

ahahahahah

probably from July I will not have a job, but still young for retirement ... another reason not to have excuses

Boiling water every time , this softens up the oils and then tighten the top by an 1/8th - 1/4 of a turn before unscrewing . I don't know why but this works every time . I think it breaks the seal .
chippy