Fix Household Problems
As the son of an optometrist, let me tell you: it's not uncommon at all for people to get things stuck in their eyes. Some injuries are worst than others, but one thing that most of them have in common is that they're preventable. Simply wearing goggles alone - even when tackling a problem you don't think requires them - can go a long way toward preventing eye damage.
Since our eyes are so important to us - you're using them to read this right now - you have to make sure that whatever project or repair you're undertaking around the house, that you protect your eyes. Here's a quick guide for doing just that.
The first thing to do and the most obvious is to buy a pair of safety goggles. These goggles should adequately wrap around your eyes and give you plenty of clear viewing. Some safety glasses or goggles can simply be attached like a pair of sunglasses, while others can be tightened around your full head. It's usually recommended that you have a pair of goggles that won't come off of your head without a fight - if you find yourself unable to use your arms to put your goggles back on, your eyes can become vulnerable again.
Next, you'll want to remember that it's best to avoid rubbing your eyes whenever you're handling a chemical of some sort. If you've ever touched a particularly hot pepper and then touched your eyes, you know exactly how uncomfortable it can be to get the wrong chemical in your eyes. So make sure that your hands are clean and thoroughly washed before you start rubbing your eyes again - and, in general, it's best to avoid rubbing them all together.
Taking care of your eyes is important because your eyesight is one of only five senses. Our eyes are particularly sensitive, which usually gives us the instinct to protect them naturally, but you'll want to bring in your own level-headed thinking to a home improvement situation. Even if you don't think that your eyes are at risk, a sudden blow of dust or sand can change your mind very quickly. If your task puts your eyes at risk to be exposed to chemicals or debris, it's best to wear safety goggles or glasses as a measure of eye injury prevention.
Photo Credits: One-Fat-Man
Originally posted 2009-10-20 03:57:15.
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Posted by Fix Handyman on August 10, 2010 in
Handyman, House, How to Fix
Rusty and crusty? No problem!
For the beginning handy-man, it's pretty obvious that none of us were born knowing how to fix devices like lamp posts. But if you have a lamp post on your property that's been gathering rust for who knows how long, it might be time to take out the equipment and set to work. Which equipment will you want to bring out? Start with steel wool (or a wire brush), a rust inhibitor, metallic paint, a high-speed rotary (see details below), and safety glasses or goggles. It's time to finally fix that rusty lamp post.
Use your steel wool/wire brush (you can use both if you want to) to scrape away any debris or dust that won't be part of this job. You'll be working with the lamp post and its rust - before you try anything else, you're going to want to make sure all other debris is removed. Getting debris in the way can lead to a poor paint job once it's all done; the goal here is consistency.
A high-speed rotary with a #500 aluminum oxide grinding wheel will be important for removing the hardest rust. You can't exactly expect to scrape the rust away. Make sure you wear safety goggles, no matter how brave you're feeling.
Once you've scraped the rust down to size, apply a rust inhibitor so that the areas you've exposed won't begin to rust over themselves. This might not seem totally necessary, but it will help fix your lamp post for the long-term. After all, who wants to keep revisiting the same post year after year? Ask your hardware store for rust inhibitor. Apply it generously to the bare surface and joints of your lamp post.
After applying the inhibitor, it's time to put on the metallic paint. This will probably come in the form of a spray, since your lamp post will probably have hard-to-reach joints that you'll simply want to coat quickly. Try to get a color that matches your lamp post's color for the sake of uniformity. If this isn't possible, you might simply try applying another coat of paint - which is another article entirely!
It's easier than you think to fix what seems "unfixable," such as a rusty lamp post. You simply need the right knowledge and the right equipment. Don't be afraid to experiment - after all, the skill might come in handy some day.
Photo Credits: gingher
Originally posted 2009-08-26 03:41:55.
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Posted by Fix Handyman on May 10, 2010 in
Furniture, Handyman, How to Fix, light fixtures
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