Frequently Asked Question Opening a five gallon bucket How do you open a five gallon bucket? There are several different types of five gallon buckets. All of the buckets should have a pull out plug on the top of the can. Very gently pull the plug out - (pulling out too fast can cause the paint to splash out of the hole). Some cans have a pull tab on the side of the lid. You would simply pull off the tab and then very gently lift the lid - working your way around the lid until it's completely loose.