How to Fix Chipped, Broken Plaster
Plaster can be a great material to use in construction because of its flexibility, but it also has some downsides. One downside? It can easily become chipped or cracked, which is why the do-it-yourselfer in your home will want to make sure to understand some quick, easy ways to fix and smoothen out that plaster. If that's what you want to learn today, you've come to the right place: let's explore some quick steps to restoring a plaster finish.
- First, get your tools ready.
What will you need when you're fixing up some plaster? A good utility knife, a plaster compound (such as plaster of paris), brushes, a scraper, a wood block, sandpaper, primer, and paint are some general items you'll either find in your tool shed or at the local hardware store. Once you have these items ready, you're ready to take a better look at the chip in your plaster.
- Treat the chip first.
This usually includes cutting away loose chunks of plaster with your knife while making sure that you don't do anything to cause further damage to the surrounding plaster. Once you've cleared the debris, shake off smaller particles with a towel and use your vacuum cleaner to get the hard-to-reach dust and plaster bits.
- Next, get out your plaster compound.
Mix it up into a hearty paste - try to make it less flexible rather than erring on the side of making it too thin. Before you apply the plaster, moisten the area by using your brush - this will help when applying the plaster of paris. Next, apply your plaster compound, making sure that it is well-set into the chip. Smoothen out the surface with your scraper and then take 24 hours off while your plaster compound hardens.
- Sand down the area after 24 hours.
Once your 24 hours have passed, it's time to take another look at your chip repair. Chances are that it doesn't look that good yet - but that's why you're going to want to sand down the area and smoothen it out. You can also re-plaster any areas that haven't been fixed yet, but remember that you'll want to give it 24 hours to dry.
- After sanding, apply primer and then your paint.
After you've sanded out the area smooth, it's time to apply your primer. Your primer is crucial for creating a smooth, durable coat of paint. Once your primer has dried (this might take a considerable amount of time), you can then apply your paint and let it try. Voila!
Photo Credits: amarette.
Originally posted 2009-07-23 08:00:37.
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Posted by Fix Handyman on March 9, 2010 in
Handyman, How to Fix
Five Ideas for Remodeling Your Kitchen
Whenever a spouse brings up the possibility of fixing up the kitchen, it's usually the other spouse's job to think about the money (hint: I'm on the money thinking side). After all, remodeling anything your home probably won't be a cheap situation, especially the more ambitious your plans are. But if you really want to fix a kitchen and make some necessary repairs while upgrading a room's look, there may be no avoiding it.
Don't forget that fixing a kitchen can increase the value of your home if you plan on moving to a larger home in the near future. That's just one of the reasons you'll want to remodel your kitchen, but if your heart's already set on it and you're not sure you have the cash, don't fret. This article will tell you five ways that you can remodel your kitchen while slashing the prices.
- Change the wallpaper or paint the walls.
Perhaps one of the quickest and cheapest ways to change the overall look of your kitchen is to look past the cabinets, countertops, and appliances, and to the wall itself: is the wallpaper dragging the rest of the room down? Does the color contrast in all the wrong ways with its environment? It might be time to either try new wallpaper or give it a new paint job. Make sure you consult with someone to be sure you're picking a color that will improve it, not do further damage to the ambiance.
- Update your countertops.
Countertops take up a lot of the space in the kitchen, and making sure that they're top-of-the-line can be a great bonus for kitchen lovers. Expensive stone countertops can make the entire kitchen seem more expensive without breaking the bank.
- Modernize your appliances.
If your kitchen is clean and looks good, maybe it's time to modernize the appliances you're actually using. Even if you plan on showing your house to prospective buyers who won't be taking your appliances, the better your kitchen looks, the more perceived value your home will have. Besides, since you get to keep the appliances and use them, it works better for you.
- Redo the cabinets.
Perhaps the first place most people look in the kitchen is to the cabinets: old dusty wood can be replaced by new, strong timber. It's not an easy project but if you tackle it yourself, you may be able to save a few bucks.
- The floors!
Although the floors will be under your feet 100% of the time, they can still have a dramatic impact on how the rest of the room looks. If you can't figure out anything else to do with your kitchen, maybe you should stop looking around and simply look down at your feet.
Photo Credits: brianc
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Posted by Fix Handyman on July 16, 2009 in
Handyman, How to Fix, kitchen
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