Spring is on the way... well it'll come sometime! Maybe you are thinking about painting and sprucing up the place. Here are a few helpfull hints.
Save money on paint:
When painting new plaster, or similar porous surface, paint on a solution of water mixed with PVA glue first. This will seal the surface and stop the paint from soaking into the plaster, thereby making it go a lot further and giving a much better finish.
A smoother, smarter finish:
Whenever you have to rechaulk, remove old sealant from the joint and claen away build up. When sealing round a bath, basin or the like, use masking tape above and below where the sealant is to go. After placing the sealant along the edge (joint), wet your finger and run it gently along the sealant to smooth it out. Remove masking tape gently before the sealant drys. Oh and clean up your finger... I know you knew that!
Need to Refinish wood furniture:
Elevate furniture legs. for easy finishing by driving a screw into the bottom of each one. Adjust the screws as needed to keep the piece from rocking while brushing on the new finish coat.
Furniture Knob painting:
Keep the stuff off your hands by using a clothspin for neat knob finishing. Use a spring clothespin, grasp the knob by its screw and balance the assembly in upright position within the clothspin graps. You'll be able to apply the finish every area without messing your hands.
Never ‘over-drill’ again:
When drilling a hole to a specific depth, place tape around the drill bit at the required depth and when the drill reaches the marker tape you know you have reached the desired depth.
Golfing has a handyman purpose:
Golfing can make make power tools last longer! Golf tees are the perfect shape and size to ‘cork’ the inputs of air powered tools to prevent dirt and dust building up when not in use.
Untill next time happy projects for all!
Duct tape use coming up!
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
What about those door problems?
As the seasons change so does your house, things move a bit from temperature and ground changes. These changes are most noticable in doors and doorways and can get to be annoying.
The rattling door:
Quiet a rattling door by moving the doorstop tighter against the door at the bottom. Cut through the paint on both sides of the stop with a utility knife so it can break free. Then tap the stop in the direction of the door with a wood block and hammer. Anchor it in position with finishing nails.
No more squeak:
Silence a squeaky hinge by lubricating it with a drop or two of light household oil. Raise the hinge pin slightly so you can drip oil onto the shaft above the hinge's upper barrel. Then swing the door back and forth a few times to distribute the lubrication along the entire length of the hinge pin. Hold a paper towel under the hinge to catch drips.
Hinges worn:
Restore a worn hinge without removing it by removing the pin and placing metal washers between the lower barrels of the hinge leaves.
Loose wood facings around doors:
Prevent wood splitting when hammering in a nails, either use a very small drill to make a guide hole or, alternatively, blunt the end of the nail first.
Got a Jammed Lock:
Lubricate a jammed lock with powdered graphite, available in small squeeze bottles. Oil or grease attracts dirt and becomes sticky.
Frozen Lock:
Frozen out? Open a frozen lock by heating the key's teeth with a match or lighter before inserting it. (Wear gloves when doing this.) Spray deicer may also help.
Watch for more tips and hints right here at Manitoba Handyman Tips. Come back we can help!
The rattling door:
Quiet a rattling door by moving the doorstop tighter against the door at the bottom. Cut through the paint on both sides of the stop with a utility knife so it can break free. Then tap the stop in the direction of the door with a wood block and hammer. Anchor it in position with finishing nails.
No more squeak:
Silence a squeaky hinge by lubricating it with a drop or two of light household oil. Raise the hinge pin slightly so you can drip oil onto the shaft above the hinge's upper barrel. Then swing the door back and forth a few times to distribute the lubrication along the entire length of the hinge pin. Hold a paper towel under the hinge to catch drips.
Hinges worn:
Restore a worn hinge without removing it by removing the pin and placing metal washers between the lower barrels of the hinge leaves.
Loose wood facings around doors:
Prevent wood splitting when hammering in a nails, either use a very small drill to make a guide hole or, alternatively, blunt the end of the nail first.
Got a Jammed Lock:
Lubricate a jammed lock with powdered graphite, available in small squeeze bottles. Oil or grease attracts dirt and becomes sticky.
Frozen Lock:
Frozen out? Open a frozen lock by heating the key's teeth with a match or lighter before inserting it. (Wear gloves when doing this.) Spray deicer may also help.
Watch for more tips and hints right here at Manitoba Handyman Tips. Come back we can help!
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