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Fall Accents for the Home
As the hot, humid summer fades into the cooler more pleasant days of fall you may be wondering how you can add some fall accents to your home. Fortunately, there are all kinds of ways you can bring a warm, fall feeling into your home and they don't require a lot of money or work. Here's some ideas on how you can add easily add some fall accents to your home. It starts with the colors Fall is full of bright colors like reds, golds, yellows, Burgundys and oranges so you the simplest way to add a fall feel by...
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7 Steps for Removing Paint
When deciding how to remove paint, you have a number of options. Determine how much paint you need to remove, from which surface, and you can make the task much easier and faster. Follow these guidelines below to remove paint from interior surfaces. Step 1: Find Out the Base Under the Paint If the wall material under the paint is drywall, do not use chemical paint removers, as they can damage the drywall. Use a sander to clear layers of paint off drywall. Use a sander as well if you are removing paint from hardwood floors or plain door...
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Choosing the Right Baby Crib
When it is time to pick the perfect baby crib for your bundle of joy, you will find there are hundreds of choices available. However, before you decide on the color or the finish you should think of safety first. There are certain guidelines you will want to follow when choosing a new baby crib. If you choose to buy an antique crib or a crib over five years old, you may need to make adjustments. However, before you make any choices you will want to consider the following guidelines. Make Sure the Baby Crib is Safe While baby cribs...
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Using an Electric Paint Sprayer
Having an electric paint sprayer is one of the best tools to have to paint your house faster. Aside from less time spent on the job, you are also assured of a smooth and mirror-like finish on your walls because the paint sprayer atomizes the paint to achieve such a finish. Home painting is a project that must be completed to protect your home from wear and tear, the elements of nature and to make it look like new again. Here is how to successfully use an electric paint sprayer for your painting task. Step 1 – Cover the Areas...
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How to Operate an Airless Paint Sprayer
An airless paint sprayer is an application device that makes the job of covering walls faster and easier. The sprayer operates on electricity. The electricity powers a hydraulic pump that takes paint from a bucket and moves it through a tube to the nozzle. The paint is sprayed out of the nozzle onto the wall surface. Step 1 – Preparing the Area If possible, remove any furniture and any other items from the room you are painting. Place the old sheets over anything left. Lay more cloths on the flooring. Open windows to increase air circulation and ventilation. Put on...
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How to Bend Metal Flashing for Window Trim
One effective method of avoiding having to paint or replace windowsills that have rotted from moisture is to install window trim metal flashing. With the right tools this job can be finished in minutes. Step 1 – Taking Measurements The key to good flashing installation for windows is in making accurate measurements. In this case, measure each window frame side width—that is, the wood face and the two board sides. Step 2 – Mark, Bend, and Cut the Flashing On the rear surface of your aluminum, both top and bottom, mark the measurements you took in Step 1. Bend your...
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How to Clean an Airless Paint Sprayer
Using an airless paint sprayer can create a lot of mess upon application. While you may not forget to clean up the more noticeable paint mess from your surroundings, you must also remember to thoroughly clean the paint sprayer. Step 1 - Preparation Once you have completed your paint spraying task, fill a bucket with paint thinner if you painted with oil-based paint, or water if it was latex-based. Remove the intake hose from the paint sprayer and place it in your bucket of liquid. Trim the length of your old paintbrush to 1 inch—you will need this later. Put...
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How to Clean Antique Lace Curtains
After searching for antique lace curtains, there is nothing worse than finding they are dirty or stained. Follow the simple steps below to effectively clean them. Step 1: Protect the Lace Place the curtains between two layers of muslin. Keep it all together by running a stitch around the edges. Step 2: Soak your Muslin Package Prepare the soap solution. Fill a basin with warm water and dissolve 1 cup of ivory flakes in it. Place the muslin in the water and push it into the water a few times to allow the solution to flow through the curtains. Turn...
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How to Use an Airless Paint Sprayer for Exterior Siding
Airless paint sprayer is one of the latest innovations when it comes to painting your home and other furniture. Of course, just like with any new innovation it has a lot of benefits to offer. One is it makes painting easier and will no longer require more time to accomplish. Further, the finish that it can impart to a surface is very mirror like due to its ability to convert paint into a fine mist. However, for starters, you might find using an airless paint sprayer quite challenging. To enjoy the full benefits of using airless paint sprayer, one should...
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3 Tips on Removing Old, Already-Dried Paint Off a Paint Roller
If you did a painting project previously and need to use the paint roller again for another, then you will need to clean any paint off of it. Here are a few tips to keep in mind so that you can get the old paint off and use the rollers again. Tip 1 – Soak the Roller Begin by just soaking the roller. Many times you will be able to get the paint off easily with just a half hour or so of soaking. Once it has soaked, use a towel to roll it out a few times and...
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How to Create a Faux Finish Using Sponges
Faux finish on walls is a great option because it creates dramatic effects, making them interesting and unique. This cost effective method also hides imperfections on your walls, giving them beautiful and different effects including clouds, color wash, muted, sand scapes, soft suede, jean or dungaree and wood grain. The most popular method of faux painting is done with the natural sea sponges since they have a unique texture and are very easy to work with. Follow these directions: Step 1 – Choosing your Colors The first step is to decide what colors you wish to have on the walls....
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4 Precautions to Consider when Using Turpentine as a Paint Remover
Turpentine is a highly flammable toxic liquid that is often used as a grease and paint remover. Since it is solvent, care should be taken when using turpentine. Here are 4 precautions that should be considered. 1. Keep away from Fire and Ignition Turpentine should be kept away from any naked flames due to its flammable nature. Refrain from smoking near the solvent. All electrical items and switches should be unplugged or switched off to prevent any possible sources of ignition. 2. Use in Open Area You should always use turpentine in an open, fully ventilated area due the...
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How to Use Epoxy Primer on Galvanized Iron
Epoxy primer is a moisture and corrosion resistant protective coating that can be applied to various materials including metal. The surface of the metal must first be prepared properly for the application in order for the primer to adhere to it. Step 1 – Preparing the Galvanized Iron Use a sand blaster to wear down the surface the metal. You can rent a sand blaster from your local rental shop. Once the surface has been abraded, wash any dirt, debris or residue from the iron. Step 2 – Combining the Primer and the Activator Pour the primer into one of...
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How to Repair Chipped Baseboard Paint
It is relatively easy to repair chipped baseboard paint as long as the right materials and techniques are utilized in the process. You need to quickly repair chipped paint, as it is not only unsightly to the eye, but can lead to further damage to the surrounding area. Step 1 – Patch the Chip Fill the chipped portion of the baseboard with wood putty using a putty knife. A sufficient amount of putty should be forced into the chipped area. You may also use your fingers to fill the chip with putty, especially on small or tight corners, and let...
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How to Paint a Gas Heater with Heat-Resistant Paint
Applying a new coat of heat-resistant paint to your gas heater will revive it to its original state. You definitely need to apply the appropriate type of paint as otherwise you end up creating a hazard in your home. Consequently, since gas heaters are subject to heat and fire, preparation is imperative to prevent peeling and flaking of the paint. High quality grounding to your gas heater will promote a professional finish. Step 1 - Preparation of the Gas Heater Ensure the gas heater is cool. Turn off the gas valve, unplug the pipe retaining the gas heater and remove...
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How to Mix Paint from Different Cans
It is possible to mix paint at home, but keep in mind that you should never mix latex and oil-based paints together. Only paints of a similar sheen should be combined. A flat paint can be mixed with another flat paint, but not with a glossy paint. This will create streaking on the surface you are covering. Step 1 – Pouring the First Paint into a Bucket Place an old sheet on the floor. Place the five gallon bucket on the old sheet. This will protect the area from any spatter. Fill the bucket with one of the paints until...
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How to Paint Over Dark Textured Paint
Painting over dark textured paint can be an extremely difficult task if it is not done properly. Whenever a dark color is to be covered up a solid coat of primer has to be applied, sometimes two coats depending on the color that was present. Then a beginning coat of white needs to be applied followed by two coats of the color that you are changing it to. The other issue that may present a problem is that since the dark paint is textured, a coarse roller should be used, rather than a medium or fine one. Just remember to...
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Removing Alkyd Paint
Oil based paint, also known as alkyd paint, is used for surfaces that need a durable and high gloss finish. Alkyd paint is best used on kitchens, cabinets and trims, bathrooms, and furniture because it gives the surface a lustrous shine and its durability can stand up against stains and dirt. Alkyd paints give a surface high gloss that makes it easy to clean by just wiping away the dirt. If alkyd paint is very durable, however, how does one remove it, especially if you have accidentally smeared it on a surface not intended to be painted? Step 1 –...
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Painting a Concrete Block Wall
A concrete block wall is not always a very pleasant thing to look at. They are large, bulky and gray which does not add any appeal to your home. One way to make a concrete block wall more inviting is to paint it. Painting a concrete block wall is like painting any other type of concrete but it does take some time and special equipment to do it correctly. There are several tips and tricks for successfully painting a concrete block wall and the article that follows will share some of them with you. Remove Loose Concrete Over time...
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Covering Up Faux Brick
Faux brick is a cheap alternative to normal real bricks. Faux brick is assembled from inexpensive materials, like plastic, and are also meant to allow for easy installation to walls, compared to conventional brick. But cheap is expensive, so the saying goes. When you have finally had enough of the synthetic bricks, and want to do something real, you can’t remove them without possibly causing permanent damage to the wall. The alternative is to cover them with plaster and thus hide them from view. Here is a simple guide on how to cover faux brick. Step 1: Clean Faux Brick...
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