Abstract: A system and method is provided for automatically dispensing paint from an industry standard paint container to maintain a given level of paint in a paint roller tray. An upwardly open vessel, containing a lower surface and a plurality of walls, houses a valve actuator, which contacts a dispensing lid to release paint from an industry standard paint container. The lower surface of the upwardly open vessel is further divided into a lower, paint reservoir surface and an upper, shallow surface. An elevated surface is formed over the paint reservoir surface to support an inverted dispensing lid attached to an industry standard paint container. The dispensing lid contains an inner spring-like flange, which allows the dispensing lid to be attached to an industry standard paint container. The dispensing lid further contains a valve. When the dispensing lid, and attached paint container are inverted and placed upon the elevated surface of the upwardly open vessel, the valve actuator comes into contact with the valve.