Staircase balusters
A baluster can be a crucial element to your staircase handrail, both in terms of design and function. So when one needs replacing, it can look like quite a heavy task. Luckily, it's not as bad as you think, and once you tackle the tough work of finding a replacement baluster that fits in with the rest, many do-it-yourselfers should generally have a fair time getting the new baluster installed.
First, you'll obviously want to find a new baluster that is well-suited to match with your other ones. Make sure to find one from the same company, if possible, or failing that at least find something similar. It will also help to get a new baluster that is slightly longer - say an inch or two - than your other ones so that you can modify it down to the proper size and fit.
Finding a replacement baluster can be a major part of the pain involved, but once you have that in hand, you're ready to move to the next step. (Note: It will help to check out the other balusters as you do this, as there may be further damaging than you thought.)
Take out the old baluster and prepare the area for a new one, generally through a process of cleaning and sanding. Clear out any old debris that may be present so that your new baluster can have a smooth fit. Sanding the area down will generally help any painting you might need to do, so don't skip out on this part if you really want an accurate matching with the new baluster.
Next, do your best to measure the size the baluster will need to be, and subsequently cut it down to that size. Insert the baluster to the proper location and note any changes that might be needed - for example, do you need to whittle it down further? Make sure you use wood glue in order for the baluster to stay in place. Nail in the baluster so that it's secure, and paint the area you need to paint, letting it dry overnight.
Now that you look at your staircase handrail, you should notice a relatively consistent color and look. Congratulations! You've successfully fixed your baluster by replacing it. Keep in mind some of the repairs you've made in case you need to replace another baluster in the future. Now, if only the deck was this easy...
Photo Credits: Ctd 2005
Originally posted 2010-01-12 03:41:19.
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Posted by Fix Handyman on July 14, 2010 in
Handyman, How to Fix, Staircase
Potentially increase resale value on your car by taking care of that rust!
Now one enjoys the sight of rust on their car, especially if they ever have plans to re-sell it as a used car. The better your car looks, the more value it has, and doing away with rust can actually help you earn more money on re-sale. But how do you get rid of this rust, and if it was easy, wouldn't everyone be doing it? Fortunately, fixing car rust simply takes a little education and initiative. We'll supply the education; the initiative is up to you.
First, you'll need the right tools. An effective way to prep a rust area for re-painting is to sand it down. This is difficult to do by hand, so a sanding wheel will be most effective - use 150 grit. Don't necessarily aim to get rid of all of the rust at this stage of the game; instead, simply work to make the surface consistent with the rest of the car. You'll want to notice the change in level as little as possible. While you're using the sanding wheel, don't try to do too much work at once. Instead, work in small increments so that you avoid large mistakes that will be difficult to go back and fix.
After using a power sanding wheel, it's time to use sandpaper by hand - again, using 150 grit. You'll use this sandpaper to wear down any of the stubborn rust spots that still seem to be hanging on. Make sure that the area is now fully smoothened out and ready for a new paint application.
Using painter's tape (that doesn't leave behind much adhesive) to corner off the section of rust, you're going to be applying some primer next. Apply a few coats of primer but make sure to focus on thoroughness rather than thickness. You want the primer to get in as many little areas as possible so that the layer of paint you apply afterwords will be complete.
After applying a few coats of primer, let it dry overnight. When you're ready to paint, use your color-matched paint and apply in thin coats similar to the way you applied primer. When you apply one coat, wait a few hours for it to dry before applying another one, and once you're finished, let the area dry overnight.
If you already had a power sander handy, this repair probably didn't cost you much money at all - it's a great way to keep your car looking fresh and new, and possibly increase the re-sale value.
Photo Credits: OpenSkyMedia
Originally posted 2009-09-18 03:46:34.
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Posted by Fix Handyman on June 29, 2010 in
Car, How to Fix, Mechanic
Three Reasons to Use Primer Before Starting a Paint Job
Any good painter will tell you that for a lot of surfaces and for a lot of different coats of paint, you're going to need to use a coat of primer before applying your paint. What exactly is primer, and why is it so popular? Here are three reasons you should consider making primer part of your standard painting practice.
Primer helps paint stick. One of primer's most basic functions is to help paint to adhere to the surface you're applying it to. Without primer, smoother surfaces can see paint drip down and lose its volume. Paint can unevenly adhere to different areas of rougher surfaces, making the paint job look unprofessional and sloppy.
A good coat of primer will cover a lot of the cracks and imperfections in a surface, helping to provide the foundation for a fresh, even coat of paint that actually sticks to the surface it's being applied to. Not only will paint stick better - ultimately looking better - but it will adhere to the surface for longer periods of time.
Primer helps even out a coat of paint. One of the most crucial aspects of a paint job is how evenly spread the paint is. Anyone who's painted a wall before knows that an uneven coat of paint will look downright unprofessional. You don't want to see clumps of heavier paint next to thinner, even transparent areas. That's why primer can be crucial for applying a coat of paint that evenly spreads throughout the surface.
You want your primer to do much of the work for the paint; let the paint simply look pretty. By setting your primer deeply and evenly into your material, you'll be able to lay on a healthy coat of paint that looks even and attractive.
You have to protect your surface and the paint, especially on wood. For wood surfaces, primer is considered mandatory practice - without it, paint's chemicals easily leak through and damage the wood. This also dries the paint, giving it less durability and a shorter shelf life.
Remember that wood doesn't always respond well to moisture over time - in fact, a poor paint job can contribute to problems like rotting and warping. The layer of primer applied ahead of the paint will protect both the wood and the paint.
Do you absolutely always want to use primer? It depends on the kind of surface you're using. Make sure that you do a little more studying on your paint surface before you begin a paint job to ensure that you'll be applying a healthy, consistent coat of paint that can last for a long time.
Photo Credits: danielle_blue
Originally posted 2009-07-27 11:00:29.
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Posted by Fix Handyman on June 4, 2010 in
Handyman, How to Fix
Cabinet Paint Chips
Having uniform cabinets in your kitchen is important - any home decorator knows that an inconsistency in the color of your cabinets can upset the balance of the entire ensemble. This doesn't just mean that your cabinets should match, it means that they should be consistently colored a certain way, often a stained wood. But if all of your cabinets are painted white, it will be immediately noticeable if your paint has chipped in one spot. Don't worry; it's an easy fix.
If the chip is superficial, your only concern should really be finding the right color of paint to touch it up with. Many hardware and home improvement stores should feature touch-up paints. It would be very helpful if you knew the manufacturer and color of the paint itself so that you can simply apply more of the same and cover the paint chip. This will promote an overall consistency that you should be striving for.
There are other types of paint damage on your cabinets, however. For example, if one area of the paint has seen its color change (for example, because it stands over the area where you usually cook), then you'll have to do much more painting in order to restore a uniform color. The wider the discoloration, the more painting you can expect to do.
What confuses many people is the deeper chip - a chip that not only digs into the paint but the wood of the cabinet itself. For this job, you'll need a few more tools, such as sandpaper, wood filler, an evening trowel, primer, and the paint itself. First, clear out the area of the chip and clean it up - sometimes it even helps to wash it. You want as little debris as possible so that you can fill it completely.
Use the wood filler next - give yourself a little extra so that you can perfectly even it out using a trowel. Wait for the filler to dry, and then sand down the area - this will help the primer and paint stick and will also even everything out. Once you've sanded, make sure all of the degree is clear, and then apply the primer. Allow the primer to dry and then apply the properly colored paint to the area. Voila!
You might want to note that primer may not be necessary depending on the size of a chip. If you're still in doubt, be sure to ask your local hardware store.
Photo Credits: penny (peninah)
Originally posted 2009-08-19 03:13:20.
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Posted by Fix Handyman on May 11, 2010 in
Furniture, Handyman, How to Fix, paint
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