Protective closure

In container closure construction, a steel drum fabricated in preparation for exterior paint spraying having at least one recloseable fluid dispensing opening, an upstanding neck having an internal screw thread surrounding said opening, an outwardly curled bead at the uppermost end of said neck adjacent said screw thread, said bead presenting an arcuate exposed metal surface extending in excess of 180 degrees as viewed in vertical cross-section, a lightweight metal protective closure covering said opening so as to allow the escape of expanding hot air therearound, said closure being formed as a shallow open cup having a bottom wall, a threaded sidewall in engagement with said neck and a circumferential lip at the uppermost end of said sidewall contoured to closely overlie said exposed metal surface, said lip terminating in a circular gripping edge in close proximity to the outside diameter of said neck bead so as to shield said bead surface from paint spray while leaving the entire neck exterior below said bead surface exposed.