@225: I do recall your project and its good knowing all your hard work has held up so well.
Regarding re-sealing a can and not fusing the lid in place I've reached out to several "paint can seal" manufacturer's asking whether one or more of their offerings will fit the one pint cans. Lucky for most the one quart and one gallon cans do have many options to use and re-seal a can leaving it in a future-use re-openable condition.
Should I find anything useful for the one pint cans I'll be sure to post it here!