Grab your paintbrush!
Let's face it: using paint to cover up dings and scratches around the house doesn't exactly sound like advanced home improvement work. But the fact remains that you probably didn't learn how to use a paint brush properly in school, unless you were making watercolors! Using a paint brush around the house can be a very useful skill, particularly if you notice that there are areas of your home that can be fixed with a little "cosmetic surgery." So how do you become an ace surgeon? Simple. Keep reading.
When it comes to using a paint brush around the home, you might hear that it's "instinctive." Don't believe it. It might seem instinctive to people with a lot of home improvement experience, but unless you learn the proper techniques, you could end up wondering why your paint jobs look so different from everyone else's. With that in mind, here are some crucial tips and techniques to remember:
- "Load" the brush effectively. When you start painting (by the way, you made sure to cover surrounding areas, right?), you'll first have to "load" the brush with paint, which simply refers to dipping the paint brush into a bucket or puddle of paint so that you can apply it to the surface you want. There are some things to keep in mind here: first, only load the paint on the brush up to about a third on the bristles. Don't "scrape" the brushes on the side of the paint can, instead tapping it out to get rid of some of the dripping. Scraping the brush will lead to less paint being used on each application.
- As you apply the paint, try to work from side to side, starting on the left if you're right-handed, and vice versa for lefties. Try to cover the corners first so that you don't have to worry about them; one handy trick to remember is to have the dark edges cover the lighter-colored edges. This is because covering a dark edge with a light edge can mean that the dark coat of paint underneath shows, and it won't look very attractive.
Now that you've got a better understanding of how household paint works, you should find it easier to do the right job the first time. This means you won't have to worry about a poor paint job after your most recent coat dries. Remember that home improvement starts with self-improvement!
Photo Credits: FFX © florbelas fotographix
Originally posted 2009-10-05 03:59:58.
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Posted by Fix Handyman on March 11, 2010 in
Handyman, How to Fix, paint
Storm windows.
When it comes to windows, people generally have one of three things in mind. Decor, energy savings, and protection from the elements. What if you could install windows that served up a dose of all three, saving you money on energy, protecting you from storms, and adding to the design of your home? Then you need to look no further: storm windows can handle each of those jobs.
But what about your current window situation? If you've never installed windows before, let alone storm windows, here are some quick tips that should help you find your bearings.
First, be clear about what you need. What do you need in order to install storm windows and replace your old windows? You'll need to take clear measurements and know exactly how many windows you're going to replace before you even think about acquiring the storm windows that work for you. If you're working with a contractor, then you need to make it clear to them that you have special needs, so communicate any of the special desires you might have.
Second, find the right storm windows. If you want this installation to be a one-and-done type deal, you're going to need to make sure that the storm windows you're installing will fit in with the decor around your home. It will help to get an outside opinion on this one, and this can be a great time to include your spouse in on the storm windows decisions. Some people are intimidated by the phrase "storm windows," but you'd be surprised to learn the variety of storm windows that are available.
Third, make sure the windows have a tight seal. If you've done your homework and know what kind of windows you're purchasing, there's a good chance your windows should fit nice and snug into your home. You want a snug fit, because a tight seal for your storm windows will help keep the elements (and temperature) outside. If you have a little extra space, you can caulk the small gaps, but make sure that the bottom edge of your storm window stays sealed and totally uncaulked so that no water gets through.
If you follow those three principles, you should have success with installing storm windows, even if it's your first time undertaking any kind of serious home improvement project. Now, enjoy the comfort that comes with energy-conserving, storm-resistant windows!
Photo Credits: Nieve44/La Luz
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Posted by Fix Handyman on December 31, 2009 in
Handyman, How to Fix, windows
Painting the outside of your home?
In order for you to understand how to fix your paint job, it will be important for you to first understand how paint applies to your home's exterior in the first place. Remember that oftentimes, simply painting over a problem with the old paint job won't do the job - at the very least, it will only cover up the problem. If you want a paint job that is smooth and covers no hidden problems, this article is for you.
Fixing exterior paint jobs is all about understanding how paint sticks. Either you'll want to be removing paint, or applying paint in a way that it provides a thick uniform coat and doesn't chip off. In order to accomplish this, you're going to need a few tools: paint and a paint brush, sandpaper, paint primer, and possibly a paint scraper.
In order to fix your exterior paint job, you're going to have to answer one crucial question: how large is the area you're looking to coat with a new paint? Some people only want to fix an area where the old paint job is chipping and falling off, using the same color to coat over it. Others are looking to replace the paint job altogether, starting from square one on the exterior of their home.
If you're looking to fix a small area on the paint job, make sure you have the right paint color before beginning. Call your contractor to see if you can find out the specific paint used - you might also be able to chip off a piece of the paint job and bring it in to the hardware store for color matching. This might not be perfect, but the closer the color is, the less the old paint job will be noticed.
Next, chip off the old paint using a paint scraper - be careful not to damage the wood itself. If you can't chip certain areas of the paint off, try to sand it down with the sandpaper. Make sure that you sand the entire area to get it as uniform as possible. Once you've sanded off the area, clean it out - there will probably be a lot of wood debris in the area.
Next, apply your primer. The primer itself needs a uniform coating, and will require some time to dry. Make sure you follow the primer's directions and allow it to dry before applying the new paint. Once you've done that, you're ready to apply your first coat of paint. Well done!
Photo Credits: eye of einstein
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Posted by Fix Handyman on August 25, 2009 in
Handyman, House, How to Fix, paint
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