Prairie homes: February 2014

Friday, February 28, 2014

The Easiest Method To Fresh paint An Area

After agonizing over the right color to paint your room for days, weeks or even months, you want your paint job to look perfect. By following some basic steps, you can get professional-looking results.

Supplies

Before you start make a checklist of the supplies you'll need. The list should include: paint stirrers, drop cloths, brushes, rollers, roller pans, painter's tape, roller extensions, putty knife, ladder(s) and wet rags (for cleaning up mistakes and accidents). You might consider additional applicators, like different sizes of rollers, which will make your job easier when trying to get into smaller spaces. Foam brushes and paint pads can give trim a smoother appearance than bristle brushes.

Prep Work

Move all the furniture out of the room. If that;'s not possible, move it to the center of the room and cover with a drop cloth. Cover all floor areas with drop cloths as well. Remove all electrical plates.

Unless you are an experienced painter who has had a lot of practice with "cutting in" (painting close to trim and edges), it's best to tape anything you don't want painted, such as door, window and floor trim and light fixtures. After you are finished taping the room, run a putty knife along the tape edges to make sure they are secure and provide a tight seal. (If you are feeling impatient and decide taping is not your style, try a paint pad to cut in around trim. It will give you more control than a paint brush.)

Painting

Start by brushing on paint close to trim, light fixtures and corners. By doing the brushwork first and the walls second, you will eliminate most of the marks a brush can leave. Plus, you will have most of the tedious work done before you start on the walls.

When rolling paint on the walls, work in a three-foot "W" formation until the entire wall is finished. This will give walls a nice even finish. When it's time for a break, wait until you have completed the wall you are working on. If you don't, you could might end up with marks where wet paint overlapped dry paint.

Clean Up

Clean up brushes, rollers and all equipment directly after the painted room is complete. Leave painter's tape in place until the wet paint is still tacky. (Waiting until paint is completely dry to remove tape could result in flaking.) Wait until the next day when paint is completely dry to complete the cleanup, i.e. pick up drop cloths and move furniture back into place.

The Easiest Method To Seal Cedar plank Siding

Cedar siding is beautiful, elegant, and long-lasting---it can last on some houses for over one hundred years. Sealing cedar siding is an excellent way to ensure its longevity. However, improperly sealing your cedar siding can result in "bleeding," an unattractive condition that causes chemicals to run down the siding, resulting in dark streaks that mar the wood. Choosing the correct type of seal and sealing properly will prevent bleeding and leave your cedar looking good for ages.

Choosing a Sealer

Sealer for cedar siding is available in many different types. Your primary objective should be quality. Synthetic resin water-repellent (especially one fortified with epoxy) sealer or high-quality paint will both do the trick. It is important to remember that lesser quality paints or sealers will not only lose their color or chip over time, they will not shield the beautiful cedar from the elements, resulting in damage to the siding. Choose your sealer wisely; take the time to find the color of stain or sealer that you like, but spend more time researching the particular type of paint or sealer you've decided on, to ensure that it will protect the wood for a long time.

Preparing the Wood

There are a number of ways to prepare the wood that you decide to seal; however, preparation may vary depending on whether you're resealing cedar siding, or sealing new siding by the board. Homes already equipped with cedar siding must be cleaned thoroughly before sealer is added. While some prefer to use a pressure washer because it's easier, doing so can damage the delicate wood. Instead, try washing the siding by hand. The process will take much longer, but the results will be clean, undamaged wood that will allow the sealer to stick.

Sealing

Make sure that the cedar siding is completely dry before attempting to seal. To prevent bleeding, seal the wood entirely before installing it on your house. If you plan to paint the wood or stain it with solid colors, you must first prime the wood on all sides, including the edges. This will prevent water damage from reaching through the back of the wood to cause noticeable chemical bleeding. Stains may be applied similarly, without using primer. Once all sides are coated, the siding may be installed. If the siding has already been installed on the house, seal carefully and slowly, ensuring that sealer reaches all the cracks. While pre-treated wood to be installed is the best option, applying sealer to cedar siding that already exists on a house will still ensure the longevity of the wood better than leaving your siding unsealed.

Fresh paint An Indication On The Rock

If you'd like to paint a sharp, professional-looking sign on a rock, you'll have to deal with some complications. Because rocks are very dense and nonporous, they don't hold paint well. To create a painted sign that won't flake away, treat the rock with a very sticky, enduring base primer. Unless you're equipped with a very steady hand, you'll have difficulty painting straight, attractive letters and designs on rocks, which tend to be irregularly shaped. Ease the painting process by using a stencil as your guide.

Instructions

1. Scrub the rock clean, using a degreasing cleanser and coarse steel wool.

2. Rinse the rock, using a pressure washer. Let the rock dry under the sun for one to two hours.

3. Spray the back of your stencil with spray stencil adhesive.

4. Attach the stencil to the rock where you want the sign to appear. Affix the sides of the stencil to the rock, using painter's tape.

5. Apply shellac spray primer to the exposed letters of your stencil. Overapplication may cause primer to drip down the stencil. Prevent this by applying a light coating and by maintaining 8 inches between the rock and the spray can. Let the rock dry for two hours.

6. Apply paint to the stencil just as you did the primer. For an enduring sign, use an acrylic enamel. Carefully remove the stencil before the enamel dries to prevent unwanted peeling.

Fresh paint Color Suggestions For A Family Room

Refreshing green in a living room

Your living room is probably the room you spend most of your time in when you are at home. When it comes time to decide what color to paint your living room, you will no doubt give this decision a lot of thought. Do you want this space to feel warm and inviting? Calm and relaxing? Or energizing and invigorating? Different colors of paint can give you a wide array of options.

Research

Before undertaking a home decorating project, it's a good idea to do some research. Check out magazines and websites that focus on home design and cut out or bookmark living-room color schemes that you like. Don't overthink this; simply choose photographs that instantly appeal to you. Once you have gathered a group of your favorite looks, you'll have a good idea of the mood and style that you want to create for your living room.

Explore the Options

Visit the websites of paint manufacturers such as Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams, both of which have color selection applications that allow you to upload an image of your space and experiment with different palettes. If you aren't a very visual person, this is an especially helpful tool for exploring different color options for your living room.

If you prefer to do things the old-fashioned way, visit your local paint store and gather swatches of colors that appeal to you. You may want to purchase small sample cans so you can paint a small block of color on a living-room wall and view it--natural light as well as artificial light in the evening. If others will be using the living room, have them weigh in on the options.

Making the Decision

Colors generally fall into two categories: stimulating and relaxing. Reds, yellows and oranges fall into the former category, while blues, greens and grays fall into the latter. Consider the style of your furniture, the size of your living room and how much natural light it receives.

Assuming you are not replacing all of your furniture, select shades that work will with accent colors that are already in the room. For example, if you have a beige couch with a subtle green pinstripe, you might explore shades of green such as olive. This does not mean you have to directly match the accent color, which actually can be a little boring--just be sure the wall paint will complement it. Also, avoid using too many colors. You shouldn't have more than one main color (which will be your wall color) and two accent colors.

The Price To Get Rid Of Lead Fresh paint

Lead paint is a known health hazard, particularly for children younger than age 6. Lead poisoning can cause behavior problems, learning disabilities, seizures and death.

Identification

Lead paint was banned in 1978. Any house built before that is presumed to have some lead paint.

Cost of Removing Lead Paint

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates lead paint removal costs thousands of dollars for the average house. The cost estimate does not include having to vacate the property during abatement.

Specialists

Only licensed professionals can safely remove lead paint. They are licensed by the EPA and must maintain safety criteria at all times.

Other Options

The EPA states lead paint in good condition should not present a hazard. Other options include painting over the lead paint, keeping children from chewing on window sills or door frames, cleaning up any paint chips with damp paper towels, cleaning frequently and washing children's hands often.

If You Are Remodeling

Starting in April 2010, anyone working on renovating, repairing or painting houses or day care facilities built before 1978 must be certified and follow specific work practices according to the EPA.

Compare Concrete House Construction

An ICF system uses concrete as the frame of the home.

The options for concrete home construction are known as insulated concrete form systems, or ICF systems. This is a type of building material that is used to support the structure of your new home, rather than a wood-framed house. Once you decide to build with an ICF system, your next task will be to compare the various system options. There are more than 20 brands in North America that offer ICF systems, and factors that can be compared include the warranty offered, customer service, energy efficiency and the builder offering the ICF system.

Instructions

1. Look into the options for ICF systems. These will vary by brand. Your area might have regulations about which ICF systems you can choose, so check with your local zoning commission. Otherwise, compare the performance and price of each system.

2. Find out the warranty of the ICF systems you're considering. The company offering the system should offer you a warranty that covers any possible defects for a period of time. These defects can include cavities or voids that were not filled, air leaks or ineffective sealing of the ICF system.

3. Ask about the customer service for the company offering the ICF systems you're considering. Customer support is important throughout the building phase, as well as for any problems that arise after your home is complete. ICF systems are more complicated than framed buildings because the semi-liquid concrete needs to cover every possible void and cavity. If anything should go wrong, a well-staffed and readily available customer service department will be very helpful.

4. Check the energy efficiency of the ICF systems you're comparing. Efficiency is rated by R-value, and the higher the R-value, the more energy-efficient the system is. The starting R-value for ICF systems is generally around 20, but you can find values that go much higher.

5. Interview a variety of builders. The builder will be in charge of the concrete construction for your new home. If handled improperly, the concrete in the home construction will not be an effective insulator. Therefore, it's important to get a builder with experience dealing with the ICF system you chose. Also, check up on their credentials, including a state license, education and any references they provide.

Fresh paint A Brick Fire place To Appear Like River Rock

Brick fireplaces can be expensive and messy to refurbish or replace. Monochrome paint finishes can make them fade into the walls, and putting tile over them is a long, difficult process. An easy way to renew a brick fireplace is to use a faux finish. River rock finish is one of the most compatible with brick and takes a few coats of paint. This project can be done in an afternoon. You can even buy river rock paint, which contains plastic beads for texture. These beads will help disguise the texture of the brick and add to the illusion. Use two or three colors of paint for the best effect.

Instructions

1. Spread the drop cloth on the floor around your work area. Place all tools and supplies on the drop cloth and put on the protective eyewear and face mask.

2. Roughen any paint on the brick with the sandpaper. The paint does not need to be removed, but the surface must be rough so the paint will stick more easily.

3. Round the bricks' sharp edges and corners with the stone file. Make shallow dips along the edges to make it look more like natural rock.

4. Shake the two paint cans containing the darkest brown and gray. Open them with the paint key and stir the paint to bring the texture beads to the top.

5. Use the 2-inch brush to paint each brick individually. Paint random blocks with brown and paint the rest with gray. Make sure there is no brick showing through the paint. Allow this first coat to dry.

6. Shake, open and stir the remaining cans of paint. Dip the tip of the 1-inch brush into a light gray or brown. Brush the paint along the edges of the bricks to add shading and depth. Brush light browns on the dark grey and vice versa.

7. Allow the second coat to dry. Add more layers of color if desired with the 1-inch brush.

Thursday, February 27, 2014

Take Proper Care Of A Stucco Home

Stucco is a tough, fire resistant, weather resistant cement plaster used as a protective or decorative coating both inside and outside the house. Durability is one of the major benefits of stucco, according to the Portland Cement Association. Comparatively, maintenance costs for stucco are significantly less than other sidings and minimal attention is needed. If you have information on care for your stucco home, you can keep it looking fresh and new while keeping maintenance costs low.

Instructions

1. Wash the walls every year with a hose and a mild cleaner. Use a jet stream nozzle and rinse the home from the bottom to the top. Do not hold the nozzle too close or you will ruin the finish. Then, use the mild cleaner to wash away all dirt and debris from the walls.

2. Inspect the stucco yearly for any cracks and chips that may have appeared. For cracks that are more than an eighth of an inch, fill with a pre-mixed plaster mortar or a dried stucco fill.

3. Have the stucco wall refinished if it is looking excessively worn. Do not paint your stucco. Although it may seem like a cheaper alternative, paint will seal in any moisture and mold will grow between layers of your home, creating a larger problem. Having a new layer of stucco and finish put on the wall will strengthen it for decades, where a paint job will peal in a year or two.

Fresh paint A Yard Flag

Yard flags come in different shapes and sizes.

A yard flag flapping in a gentle breeze can add a personalized, decorative element to the exterior space of your home or business. Using paint provides an alternative for decorating the flag for those not skilled in sewing and embroidery. Make several flags and switch them throughout the year for variety.

Instructions

1. Draw or roughly sketch out the design that you'll be painting on your yard flag. This gives you a visual model to follow during the painting process.

2. Place a blank canvas flag onto the surface where you plan to paint.

3. Use exterior-grade acrylic paint brushes to create your artistic design or picture on the yard flag. This type of paint is designed to hold up to humidity and other natural elements, making it ideal for outdoor flags. Stick to brushes with synthetic bristles as the alkaline nature of acrylic paints is hard on natural bristles.

What Color Must I Fresh paint An Area Having A Whitened Leather Sofa Inside It

White leather couches offer versatility in your paint choice.

Placing a white leather sofa in a living room, den or family room gives the designer a virtual blank canvas when deciding on a paint color for the walls. The geographic setting and style of the home can influence the room's overall theme and ultimate paint choice as well. Consider your options before buying a white leather sofa, however, as such a couch is difficult to keep clean.

Ocean-Themed

Create an ocean theme in your living room or den, and complement the white leather couch by painting the walls various shades of light blue or green. Re-create the ocean waters by choosing paint colors like sea-foam green or a light aquamarine. For an added touch, stencil ocean-themed images onto the wall's border, like seashells or starfish. Use the ocean-inspired colors for a beach or waterfront home.

Black & White

For a decidedly modern setting, try a black-and-white interior. Match the white leather couch with stark white paint. Counterbalance the white walls with black-and-white photography or a minimalist modern art piece with black paint splashes. For a truly bold look, paint an accent wall black, alternate the walls between black and white, or paint a wall with a black-and-white checkerboard pattern.

Earth Tone

Offset the white leather couch by establishing a rustic interior for your living room or family room. Choose earth-tone colors for the walls, such as dark oranges, yellows or reds. Colors like chocolate brown or sage green provide an outdoorsy feel as well. The style complements rustic decors found in such settings as mountain cabins, craftsman bungalow homes and industrial-themed lofts.

Tropical Pastels

White leather couches match with any pastel color. To produce a tropical feel for your living room, pick out pastel colors, such as light yellow, blue or green, for the walls. Add artwork, including paintings depicting tropical flowers and birds, to the walls as well. The overall decor is reminiscent of settings found in an island or beachfront home.

Estimate Costs Of Kitchen Remodeling

Kitchen remodeling can range from a few hundred dollars to many thousands of dollars, but it doesn't have to break the bank. Depending on the amount of remodeling to be done, costs can generally be broken down to the cost of labor, mechanical and fixtures. Put aside some extra money for unexpected costs too. Here are some tips to help you estimate the costs of a kitchen remodeling.

Instructions

1. Put it down on paper. Draw a plan and make a list for your kitchen remodel to help you determine costs. Decide if you'll need new cabinets or if you can paint them. Many home improvement centers offer computer generated kitchen remodeling plans based on your own photos. Decide if appliances will be replaced and what type you want. Check online for appliance features and stores that offer discounts. Some appliance stores offer substantial discounts when buying more than one appliance. Appliances, cabinets and fixtures will be approximately 30 percent of the total remodeling cost.

2. Hire a reputable contractor who is experienced in kitchen remodeling if you aren't going to do it yourself. Make sure the contractor is licensed and insured. Get references from the contractor and make sure that you have a time frame in writing. Labor costs are estimated at approximately 30 percent of the total remodeling cost.

3. Do it yourself. If you are experienced in home repairs, you may be able to do a lot of the work yourself to save money. Experienced do-it-yourselfers can do their own painting, hanging kitchen cabinets and installation of some appliances. Gas appliances need to be installed by experts. Make sure you hire reputable plumbers and electricians to help with the mechanical aspects of the kitchen remodel if necessary. Depending on the age of your kitchen, mechanical remodels can take as much as 30 percent of your budget.

4. Keep at least 10 percent of your budget for those unexpected costs. You might have termites or dry rot in wood, which will need to be replaced. Wiring may be old and not up to code. Old water pipes could be leaking and need to be replaced. Always keep a "contingency fund" for just such repairs.

Prep Aluminum For Fresh paint

Aluminum is a soft and lightweight metal used for siding, boats, airplanes, lamp posts and many other objects. When it comes to painting, aluminum can be a difficult metal to work with. Paint has a hard time creating a good bond with the surface and peels soon afterward. The key to painting aluminum is to prepare it properly.

Instructions

1. Remove any paint left from a former paint job if necessary. Scrape as much paint as you can from the object. You can also use a pressure washer, constantly moving the hose and aiming it at an angle, to remove paint more quickly. Sand the edges of any remaining paint to create a smooth surface.

2. Clean the surface with water and a strong water-soluble cleaner like Formula 409. Use a sponge to scrub off all dirt and debris from the surface. The paint will not adhere if there is any dust on the aluminum surface. If it is a large surface, such as a house, start from the bottom and split the siding into sections, rinsing with a hose as you go. Do one final rinse at the end to ensure that all the dirt is gone.

3. Purchase acid etch primer from a paint store or automobile store. Ask the salesperson for directions on apply this etch to aluminum if directions are not already on the packaging. Application instructions differ for different etches on different metals. This will roughen the surface so the paint will be more likely to stick.

4. Apply an epoxy primer to boats, decks or other items exposed to large amounts of moisture. This coat will resist any corrosion that may occur.

5. Paint the surface within 24 hours of putting down the primer or primers. Make sure, however, that the primer is dry before application.

Measure A Wall For Painting

Make sure you have the right amount of paint before you start your next project.

Painting a room is the easiest way to make a big change without a big budget. One of the most important steps to painting a wall is making sure you accurately measure the wall so that you purchase the correct amount of paint. Sometimes if you run out of paint and return to the store for another can later, the colors do not always match exactly. Getting the right measurement and the right amount of paint the first time will ensure that your room has a consistent color from start to finish.

Instructions

1. Measure the length of the wall with a tape measure. Start at one end of the wall and stretch the tape measure as far as it will go, pushing it up against the wall or trim to ensure a straight and accurate measurement. Write down the total length of the wall.

2. Measure the height of the room. Ask someone to help you if at all possible. Have your helper make sure the tape measure goes all the way to the floor while you stand on a ladder and reach to the ceiling to get the measurement. Write down the height of the wall.

3. Measure all windows and doors along the wall and write down the length and width for each.

4. Use your calculator to figure out the total square footage of wall space. If you wrote down your measurements in inches, first divide the length and height of the wall by 12. Then multiply the length of the wall times the height and write down the total square feet. Jot down your total on your scrap paper.

5. Calculate the square footage of your doors and windows. Again, divide each measurement by 12 if you wrote your measurements in inches and then multiply the length times the height. Write the total for each door and window down separately as you do the calculations, and then add all the doors and windows together to get a total.

6. Subtract the total square footage of the doors and windows from the square footage of the wall. This will tell you how much paintable space exists on the wall.

7. Repeat these steps if you are planning to paint more than just one wall. Add all of the square footage for all the walls together to come up with a final number.

8. Determine how much paint you need for the wall. A gallon of paint typically covers 400 square feet. Divide the total square footage you plan to paint by 400 to determine how many gallons of paint you will need to buy for each coat of paint. Remember, if you plan to do two coats of paint, you will need to double the amount of paint you purchase.

The Typical Price Of Siding Removal & Alternative

Wooden shingles can add natural beauty to a home.

Brick, stone, wood and stucco are among the common materials used to beautify a home's exterior. However, some materials require expensive and time-consuming maintenance every few years with repainting, repairing, caulking or patching. Siding can eliminate much of this expense and inconvenience, while adding insulation and value.

Wood

The oldest of all sidings, wood adds natural beauty to a home and can be painted or stained in different colors. But wood must be painted, stained or sealed every few years to prevent rot. Authentic wood siding costs from $5 to $8 per square foot for both labor and materials. Cedar shingles for a 1,500-square-foot home can run from $7,500 to $12,000. For pine, spruce or fir clapboard, prices are cheaper at $5 to $7 per square foot, brining the average house cost to a range of $7,500 to $10,500. Engineered wood, made from ground composite material, is cheaper still at $2 to $5 a square foot, or $3,000 to $7,500 for the average home.

Aluminum

Aluminum can duplicate textures from wood and shingles, and comes in many styles and colors. It requires only washing when it's dirty, and can last about 35 years. However, its pre-finished paint can fade and chip, and may need repainting. Another disadvantage is denting. Removing aluminum siding costs about $2 to $3 a square foot, or about $6,000 for a 2,000 square-foot-home. But homeowners can tackle this job to save money. Aluminum installation is usually priced per square, which measures 10-by-10 feet, or 100 square feet. Costs run about $450 per square, or $9,000 for a 2,000-square-foot home.

Vinyl

Vinyl siding is arguably the most maintenance-free of all siding materials. It comes in multiple colors and never needs repainting. The only maintenance required is some washing with a garden or pressure house. Vinyl siding costs about $250 to $300 per square, including installation, or around $5,000 to $6,000 for a 2,000-square-foot home. Premium siding, which is thicker, costs about $400 to $600 per square, or about $5,000 to $6,000 for a 2,000-square-foot home. Estimates generally include the cost of installing soffits, fascia and window channels.

Fiber Cement

Fiber cement siding bonds cement, sand and cellulose fiber in layers under high-temperatures, producing a very strong material. The outermost layer can be imprinted with textures such as shingles, stone or clapboard, and designed with many colors. The siding costs about $500 per square installed, with a 2,500-square-foot home costing about $12,500. The material does not fade or dent, but requires routine maintenance. The ends of boards and areas around windows and doors are susceptible to water damage, and require some caulking every year. Repainting every seven to 15 years is also necessary, which can cost $5,000 to $10,000.

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

What Type Of Fresh paint To Make Use Of On Window Glass

Achieve a stained glass effect with low-pigment or washable watercolor paints.

Window paintings are an artistic way to spice up home decor, advertise sales or promotions on store window fronts, or engage kids in a fun community or family craft project. The purpose of your window painting will determine which kind of paint is best for your project.

Cling Paint

Instead of buying sheets of predesigned window clings and sticking them onto your windows, try using window cling paint. This special paint is applied to glass just like regular liquid paint, but when window cling paint dries, it becomes an easily removable, cling-like plastic. Window cling paint is an excellent choice for seasonal or temporary designs and makes a fun craft project for kids.

Acrylic Paint

Acrylic paint is excellent for temporary window designs, as it removes easily with paint thinner or mineral spirits. Keep in mind that thicker strokes, coats, or layers of paint will dry bold and opaque, but may be more difficult to remove. Apply warm, soapy water to the window to soften and loosen paint for easier removal when it's time to wash the design off of the glass.

Enamel Paint

If your window painting will be permanent, it is best to use enamel paint. Enamel-based paint will not chip, fade or wash away as easily as other paint mediums. Use stencils or freehand sketch the design or picture on the window with a light-colored, washable marker before applying paint. Since enamel paint is permanent, drawing your design this way will help you prevent or fix mistakes before committing your enamel paint-dipped brush to the window. Once your paintwork has dried, paint a coat of window and tile treatment sealer over the paint to lock in colors and protect your work from cracking, chipping, fading or peeling.

Watercolor Paint

Liquid watercolor paints make excellent window-painting mediums because the bright, semi-translucent colors allow sunlight to penetrate the design, making colors pop. Most of the brightly colored window advertisements you see driving past car dealerships and other glass storefronts are done with watercolor paint. Called watercolor window splashes, these painted window signs so frequently incorporate the use of watercolor paints because the brilliant, eye-catching result captures attention and draws customers. Student-formula watercolor paint tubes contain less pigment than professional formulas, offering more translucence, easier removal and color-blending ease. If your window painting project is a very temporary or kid-based activity, use washable watercolor sets for easy fixes and removal.

Fresh paint A Stucco Foundation

Don't use a polyester brush on a stucco foundation.

Many consider bare cement foundations to be an eyesore. A stucco aggregate adds texture to smooth cement, providing a more appealing appearance. A painted finish can make stucco foundations blend in well with the rest of a home. Unfortunately, many amateurs find stucco painting tedious and challenging, because the raised textures promote skip marks and runs. Encourage even coverage by painting the stucco in the correct manner. Prepare the aggregate with a particular primer made for use with masonry, or flaking may result.

Instructions

Cleaning

1. Wash the stucco foundation, using a pressure washer. Many undervalue the importance of the cleaning process. If you skip this step, adhesion problems will follow.

2. Allow your foundation to dry for approximately 5 hours.

3. Protect portions of the home directly above the foundation, using low-tack painter's tape. Position drop cloths below the stucco.

Application

4. Coat a 4-foot-wide section of the stucco foundation with masonry primer applied with a roller. Use a vertical rolling motion, moving to your right. Stop and pick up your nylon brush, then run the brush vertically over the wet masonry primer, effectively working it into tight holes and gaps and eliminating excessive runs. Let the masonry primer dry for 2 hours.

5. Wash the masonry primer from your tools with running water.

6. Paint the stucco foundation just as you primed it.

Pour Acrylic Fresh paint

Acrylic paint comes in dozens of colors and hues.

Use the "pouring paint" technique to create a picture. By combining pouring paint and movement, you can make an abstract picture. Acrylic paints have a somewhat thick texture, although there's some variation between brands. Adding water to the paint helps it pour smoother and move across the canvas. You can make a painting just using this technique, or you can paint a background and then use the pouring technique on top of it. Be creative and use as many colors as you want.

Instructions

1. Open the lid of a container of acrylic paint. Pour 4 tablespoons of paint into an empty container. Add 1/8 teaspoon of water and stir.

2. Tilt the container over a canvas. Slowly pour the paint. You can pour it all in one spot or spread it around. Repeat for each color you want to use.

3. Lift up the canvas straight up and then slowly tilt it at a slight angle. Rotate the canvas while holding it at an angle to spread the paint around. Tilt it back and forth. Hold the canvas in each position for at least five seconds to give the paint time to run.

4. Place the canvas on a flat surface to dry.

Fresh paint Over Stained Redwood Siding

Painted wood siding can really stand out.

Many homeowners with wood siding eventually decide that they would like a change. Perhaps you are tired of the natural wood look, or maybe you feel that your home would have more curb appeal in a brighter color. Whatever your reason for painting the house, careful preparation is the key to successfully painting over a wood stain.

Condition

Assess the current condition of the wood stain. If the siding is peeling or flaking, painting over it will only make the problem worse. Dull or faded patches require a bit of extra primer and paint but are much easier to cover than peeling or flaking.

Preparation

Thoroughly remove all areas of loose stain. For best results, work back and forth with a paint scraper and a sander. Use the scraper to remove as much peeling stain as possible, and then use the sander to make the surface smooth. You do not need to remove all of the stain, just the parts that are loose.

Pressure wash the entire house to remove dirt and debris, using a low setting to avoid damage. Check for stains that may have been loosened in the process, and repeat any scraping or sanding as necessary. Patch nail holes and other imperfections, caulk all seams, and sand smooth. The goal is a smooth, clean surface that will absorb the paint.

Primer

Choose a thick, stain-blocking primer. Oil-based primers are traditional but emit volatile organic compounds, or VOCs. Latex primers are more environmentally friendly and give off significantly less pungent odors. The stain-blocking additives seal both the wood stain and the natural tannins of the redwood, preventing leaks through the new paint. Use a roller or brush for priming, even if you plan to use a sprayer to apply the paint.

Painting

Apply at least two coats of thick latex exterior paint. Work in sections, such as window to window or door to door, to minimize lap lines between painting sessions. Apply the full first coat and allow the house to dry for at least 24 hours before starting the second coat. Slightly overlap each new section with the previously painted section to avoid thin spots or seams where the old stain could show through.

Sell My House Before A Judgment

Liens can be placed on a home for credit card debt or unpaid loans.

A judgment lien is created against you in civil court after a creditor successfully sues you for money owed to them. Once you have a lien on your property, it can be impossible to sell it unless you pay off the creditor with the lien. It's therefore to your advantage to sell your home before a lien is placed on your property. Whether or not you can have a lien placed against your real estate in the first place depends on which state you live in and what your state's exemptions are.

Instructions

1. Check your state's homestead exemptions. If you live in a state with unlimited homestead protection -- such as Florida or Texas -- it may be that a judgment creditor won't be able to place a lien on your home at all.

2. Delay the court process as long as possible. To place a lien on your home, a judgment creditor must go through several steps. After it wins a judgment in court, it will ask you to complete a financial statement. Take your time completing the financial statement; you'll be given a few weeks to comply with the court order -- file your financial statement at the last minute. After the creditor has received the financial statement, it will have to apply for an Abstract of Judgment. The Abstract of Judgment is a document the creditor can file with the County Recorder, who will place the lien.

3. Place your home on the market as soon as possible. Be prepared to accept a low offer for your home to move the house quickly.

The How To Fresh paint Vinyl Siding

Vinyl siding

must be painted properly to prevent damage.

Painting vinyl siding is a cost effective way of revitalizing the exterior of a home. A new color changes the look of a home and the home looks new again. Considering the best way to paint vinyl siding prevents future damage to the exterior. There is a right way to paint vinyl siding and a wrong way.

Cleaning

The most important part of painting vinyl siding is cleaning the entire exterior before applying any paint. Dirt and mold accumulate on the siding, and if it is not cleaned off, the paint will not stick to the surface of the vinyl. Liquid laundry soap or dish washing liquid is the best way to clean the vinyl. Utilize vinegar or bleach for any areas of the vinyl siding that have mildew or mold visible. Scrub the surface with a soft bristle brush and rinse thoroughly. Allow the exterior to dry before applying any paint to the vinyl.

Color

It is important to remember that painting vinyl siding is challenging because the vinyl siding contracts and expands with the elements. Choosing the right color will prevent damage to the vinyl. A lot of vinyl is lighter in color because vinyl retains heat. Choosing a paint color that is too dark will cause the siding to buckle or warp because the vinyl retains too much heat. A light color, slightly different than the original color of the vinyl siding, is recommended. For example, using an off-white, yellow or beige is the best way to paint white vinyl siding.

Paint

Ask the advice of a painting professional when choosing the type of paint used for vinyl siding. Paint manufacturers supply specific types of paint to use for vinyl siding and some even come with a warranty, according to Askthebuilder.com. Again, vinyl expands and contracts considerably over the course of a season, and the paint must compensate for this factor. The best paint used for this is the paints blended with acrylic and urethane. A water-based acrylic sticks to the vinyl best. Urethane latex paints work well on vinyl siding, and both minerals are listed on the labels of the paint.

Weather

Applying paint on hot summer days in direct sunlight is not a good idea. Wait for a cooler, overcast day before applying paint. Try to keep from painting in direct sunlight because the paint drys before it sticks to the vinyl and will peel off quickly. Painting on an overcast day allows the paint to dry at a moderate level and maintains its adhesive qualities, which is a requirement for painting vinyl. Apply two coats of paint to get the full effect of the paint color.

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Fresh paint And Fill Small Wall Holes In A Single Step

There are truly few instances where you can fill and paint a hole in a single step without it being an obvious irregularity on the wall. Anyone who writes that it's possible in a single step is mistaken--it will almost always show. There are tricks if you truly want to be able to do it in one step, and it's certainly possible to fill and paint holes in two or three very easy steps.

Instructions

Paint and Fill Small Wall Holes in One Step

1. Understand that walls are almost never painted pure white in dead flat paint, like ceilings often are. If your walls are painted in a pure white, completely flat finish (most wall paint is not a completely flat finish, unlike ceiling paint), it may be possible to mix a little non-shrink white spackle with white paint, patch your small hole, and have it not show up too obviously. Use a clean finger if you attempt this, not a putty knife. The putty knife will leave a mark on the wall that will necessitate painting over, and there goes your one-step job.

2. Use caulking if you have pin or nail holes on satin or semi gloss painted walls. The caulking will dry with a slight shine and won't be as noticeable as spackle, which dries flat, even when mixed with a glossy paint. Use white caulking for white walls, and tan or brown caulking for colored walls. Some specialty paint stores carry caulking in many different colors. Apply the caulking carefully and wipe the surrounding excess off with a clean damp rag. There may be a slight dimple when it dries because caulking shrinks, but it won't be as noticeable as the unfilled hole.

3. Be really particular if you don't want any dimple to show from shrinking filler. Use a toothpick, matchstick or anything else small enough to plug the small hole just below the surface. Then use your filler of choice, carefully wipe away the excess from around the small repair, and let it dry.

4. Don't try using toothpaste to fill a hole. It can leave small dark oily-looking spots on the wall and will need to be primed with a blocking primer if you ever want to repaint because the oily appearance will show through on fresh paint. Not only that, the toothpaste will wipe right off if you ever try to clean the walls.

5. Fill and repaint a small hole in the wall the conventional way. It's easy. Use a putty knife (or perhaps your finger, if it is a textured wall that won't require sanding) to apply non-shrink spackle. If the hole is small, it will only require one coat. Leave a little excess above the wall surface so you can sand it flush once it's dried. Spot prime it with the matching wall paint. Let that dry and apply more wall paint, feathering it out on the surrounding wall. Use the same method of applying paint as the original--brushing paint on a rolled wall is likely to leave permanent, noticeable brush marks.

Clean Aluminum Siding

Aluminum siding is a wonderful, virtually maintenance-free addition to the exterior of your home. When it's clean and well-kept, the siding can improve the appearance of homes and can increase home value, too. If you need help cleaning your aluminum siding, follow these steps.

Instructions

1. Set aside time to clean your aluminum siding once a year. Choose a time when the weather will be agreeable and you can devote a substantial amount of time to the project.

2. Purchase a hose attachment with a high pressure sprayer or a pressure washer.

3. Prep the area around your house. Close all windows and doors, cover plants and shrubs to protect them from soap and move any obstacles away from the sides of the house.

4. Mix a cleaning solution. Laundry detergent combined with water works well. Your local hardware store may also have products or soaps designed for use on aluminum siding. Starting at the top of the house and working down, use a soft-bristled brush to scrub the siding and remove all the dirt.

5. Rinse off the cleaning solution with the hose or pressure washer before it has a chance to dry. If you choose to use a pressure washer, set the pressure to low so you don't damage or dent the aluminum.

6. Consider repainting your siding if necessary. If you decide to paint, prep the siding by sanding it with fine-grit sandpaper and applying a metal primer designed for aluminum. Patch any damaged areas with filler specifically made for use with metal. Use a spray painter to apply an even coat of paint.

Install Stucco Over Brick

Stucco Wall

Stucco is an exterior finish material made from limestone, sand, and water. It is both affordable and versatile, and can be installed over almost any surface. By installing stucco over brick, you can hide old, decaying bricks from sight, greatly improving the look of your home at the same time. This is a fairly easy project for the DIY homeowner, and can be completed over the course of a weekend.

Instructions

1. Apply a concrete bonding agent to the brick using a paintbrush. This will help the stucco stick to the wall. Allow the bonding agent to dry for 60 minutes before proceeding to the next step.

2. Mix your stucco in a wheelbarrow or bucket, depending on the quantity you will need. Simply add water to bagged stucco mix per the manufacturer's recommendations. Add water slowly so you don't accidentally use too much.

3. Use a trowel to apply a 1/4" layer of stucco to the wall. After 30 minutes, scratch the surface of the stucco lightly with a plasterer's rake. This is called a "scratch coat," and helps create a stable, long-lasting finish.

4. Wait 24 hours for the scratch coat to dry, then apply a second coat. Change the angle and pressure on your trowel to create texture, and try to make this layer around 1/4" deep as well.

5. Allow the surface to dry. If temperatures or humidity levels are high, spray with the stucco lightly with water every few hours so that it dries slowly. This keeps it from getting too dry and cracking or flaking.

Outside Gingerbread House Designing Ideas

A life-size gingerbread house is a testament to your Christmas spirit.

When it comes to holiday decorating, December is a time to pull out all the stops for some extravagant displays of festive cheer. If you're looking for an outdoor decorating theme that's a little different from the typical fare of lights displays, set up a giant gingerbread house display that can be lit at night or enjoyed during daylight. Make large candy and cookie displays using commonly available and inexpensive craft supplies.

PVC Pipe Candy Cane

Use long, white poles of PVC pipe and some red ribbon to make giant candy canes in a variety of sizes. Glue the ribbon to the bottom of the pole using tacky craft glue or hot glue, applying the glue to the tip of the ribbon and folding it over the end of the pole. Wrap the ribbon up the pipe; you can position the coils of the ribbon at any distances you like from each other, but keep them consistent. Glue the ribbon at the top of the pipe. Use any size of PVC pipe and ribbon that's at least a half inch thick.

Balloon Lollipops

Using craft dowels or narrow PVC pipe (about a half inch diameter), make balloon lollipops. Blow up the balloon, then attach it to the end of the stick using a small strip of masking tape or string. Wrap the balloon in a large square of colored craft cellophane, gathering the plastic beneath the base of the balloon and securing it with a few strips of clear tape.

Plaster Gingerbread Men

Make large, realistic-looking gingerbread mean (and women) using plaster. Make the shapes of the gingerbread people from cardboard, then apply plaster of Paris to give them a thick coat of material that will resemble the texture of a baked cookie when viewed from a few feet away. Mix the plaster so that it's thick and pasty, and smooth it out as much as possible when you apply it. After the plaster dries, paint it brown with a coat of wall paint or spray paint, then paint on the face and frosting designs with a second coat of paint after the brown paint dries. Use matte paint, since real gingerbread isn't very shiny, then finish with a few coats of matte varnish spray to protect against the weather.

Polystyrene Gumdrops

Carve the mound shapes of gumdrops in large size using squares of polystyrene. If you can't find squares big enough, make your own by gluing several thinner sheets together with craft glue. Carve with a hacksaw or other large, serrated craft blade. Paint the gumdrops with bright colors, then apply a second coat of frosty white to look like sugar coating. Either splatter-paint (using a toothbrush and running your fingers through the bristles works well) or use white spray paint and spray from a distance of at least three feet to get a light dusting of white specks.

Drywall Compound Frosting

When it comes time to apply your gingerbread house accessories outdoors, use white drywall compound (aka mud or joint compound) to look like frosting, as the resemblance is naturally striking. If you have to put down some joint compound on a surface without marking it permanently, put down thick painters plastic, then trim the plastic once the compound is dry.

Create A Crazy Inflatable Tube Guy

Creating your own wacky inflatable can be a great way to decorate your lawn.

Wacky inflatable tube men are infinitely customizable decorations, allowing you to create holiday-themed tube men such as Frosty the Snowman or even sports-themed tube men to celebrate your favorite team. Props for your wacky inflatable tube man are easy to make out of a plastic sheet, providing a simple way to add flair to your home or business. To create your own you will need a nearby electrical source to power the air pump, as well strong packing tape to ensure the seams of the tube man will not leak too much air while it is on.

Instructions

1. Sketch out the design directly onto the garbage bag using a permanent marker. Trace a 4-foot-by-4-foot square section for the body, three long rectangular sections that are 18 inches by 3 inches (two will be used for the arms), a wide rectangle that is 2 feet by 18 inches and a circle 2 feet in diameter (for the top of the head). Cut these pieces out of the plastic garbage bags. Cut off the corner from a bag, creating a triangle pouch (shaped like an ice cream cone) with 16-inch walls.

2. Make cylinders out of all the square and rectangular pieces. The body should be a 4-foot tall cylinder, there should be two 3-foot long arms (and one more identical tube), and one 18-inch tall head (leave the circle untouched for now). Cut 4-inch holes near the "shoulders" of the tube man to attach the arms.

3. Tape the seams using packing tape. Tape the circle to the top of the head. Cut a 3-inch slit in the very top of the head and the leave end of the arms open. This will make them wave around when the air pump is started. Connect the bottom of the head to the body tube and seal with packing tape. Tape the corner of the bag to the bottom of the body. Cut a hole in the very corner of the bag-cone and tape one end of the third "arm" tube to this. Tape the other end of the "arm" tube to the opening of the air pump. Check to make sure all the the seams are securely taped shut.

4. Connect the air pump to a power outlet and turn it on. Watch the inflatable tube man fill up and keep an eye out for any serious leaks. Patch these with tape. Because slits at the top of the head and the end of the arm were left open, you will need to leave your air pump turned on to keep air flowing through it (this is what creates the "wacky waving arm" effect). Unplug the air pump whenever it is not in use and store your tube man in a cool dry place.

5. Decorate your tube man with permanent markers or acrylic paint, and let dry completely before blowing it up. Get creative by painting your tube man in your local basketball team's home colors or make a wacky tube Santa Claus.

The Dangers Of Inhalation Of Oil Based Fresh paint Primer

Using protection when painting is a good idea.

Paint is made by combining chemicals such as solvents, binders, additives and pigments. Latex paint is water based, which means the main ingredient is water. The other main category of paint is oil-based, which means the main ingredient is some kind of organic solvent. Of the two, oil-based paint is sturdier and normally used outside or in high-humidity areas like bathrooms and kitchens. It is also usually more toxic when inhaled.

Inhalation

Since the base solvent in oil-based paint is mineral spirits, toluene, xylene or some other petroleum derivative, it should come as no surprise that breathing in fumes from this kind of paint is not entirely safe. Symptoms to watch for include headache, nausea, dizziness or extreme fatigue. These effects may be more pronounced if you are painting in a poorly ventilated area or you've been exposed to the fumes for too long even if there is good air flow. The best way to alleviate these symptoms is to get away from the painting area and find some fresh air to clear your respiratory system out.

Long-term Risks

If you continue to expose yourself to these fumes over the course of weeks, months or even years, damage can begin to manifest itself in internal organs. Long-term inhalation can lead to kidney, liver and blood problems. Purposefully sniffing paint fumes, especially from a spray can, can cause irreversible brain damage and even death on the first incident.

Children

As you might expect, the damaging effects of oil-based paint inhalation by children can occur even more quickly than in adults. Small kids should be kept away from the painting area and open cans of paint. For the protection of everyone, put a box fan in an open window in the room being painted, pointing out, so that toxic fumes will be drawn outside. Keep the fan going like this for an additional 48 hours after the painting is done, and try to use the room as little as possible during that time. The faster the paint dries, the sooner the health danger passes.

Suggestions For Floor Fresh paint Colors

Color adds a special customized look to floors.

Paining floors is a creative way to give a room your own signature and style. A room with a painted floor will stand out from other rooms that have carpeting or rugs. Exterior floors in garages and entryways can even be enhanced and made special with a new paint job. Whether the room is indoors or outdoors, paint will add personality to the d cor.

Beach House Blue

Give a room the look of beach cottage by painting the floor in a blue color. Think about a water body that gives a feeling of tranquility. Look at vacation photos to select a color that mimics the waters of the Caribbean, the Mediterranean or even one of the Great Lakes. Place favored water colors next to paint swatches to help make the floor paint color selection.

Walnut Warmth

Large floor areas are especially good spaces to go with a darker floor paint color like walnut. The room will take on a stateliness and richness, and the furnishings will stand out. You can also choose to paint particular areas of the floor. A painted space can mimic a room-size rug to define the area for sofas and tables or can surround a fireplace or entryway.

White

White is often used as a floor color in vacation homes, and it can create a great effect in many rooms in the house. An office can take on a highly contemporary look when every wall and floor space is white. The use of white as a flooring color will make furnishings and artwork pop as if they're in a museum. White can also be used to add wonderful light, warmth and character to bedrooms and bathrooms. White can also be applied as a stripe to a beech, mahogany or chestnut floor to create a unique effect.

Grass Green

Green is often seen to paint exterior entry walks to home, but it can also add a touch of surprise indoors. Bedrooms with wooden furniture and primary colors take on a special sparkle when floors are green. A green kitchen floor can make a culinary connection between herbs and gardening and create a comfortable, earthy and homey feeling.

Black Line Borders

A black border to a beech wood floor adds an especially dramatic effect. Borders can be a combination of one or two lines, with a width of one to two inches. The result will create a classic treatment that is reminiscent of the art deco period. Squares and diamonds can be added to the corners in art deco style for extra impact and flair. The use of black line stripes and borders can also work effectively on any natural wood color, stain or finish.

Monday, February 24, 2014

Diy Stucco A Wall

Stucco walls can be textured or smooth.

Stucco is a common and visually pleasing wall finish, used as decoration or to cover less aesthetically-pleasing construction materials. It can be textured or smooth and can be painted to create the look you desire.

Mixtures

Decide if you will prepare your own stucco or use commercially prepared stucco. Always follow manufacturer's instructions with commercially prepared stucco. To mix it yourself, it is best to use a mechanical mixer, although a mortar hoe and mortar box can be used. The scratch coat requires three parts sand, one part cement and 500 gallons of water per 100 pounds of cement. The brown coat is generally 500 gallons of water to 100 pounds of plastic cement and four parts sand. The finish coat is normally one part white Portland cement, one part hydrated lime and four parts 30-mesh sand.

Application of Stucco

The application of stucco is the same no matter which coat you are applying. Take the amount of stucco you need and place it on your mud stand, then move a portion for immediate use onto the mud board. If you are right-handed, keep your hawk--a board with a handle--in your right hand and your trowel in the left. Scoop the stucco with the hawk and apply it smoothly and firmly onto the wall with the trowel.

Applying Coats

A lath--a grid to hold the stucco--must be installed on the surface. The first coat, called the scratch coat, should be 3/8ths of an inch thick and will cover the lath completely. Once this is finished, you must use a scratcher to scratch the coat. This provides a proper surface for the next coat, which is the brown coat. Wait 48 hours between the scratch coat and the brown coat, applying water to the wall in a process called moisture curing. This is to ensure the stucco does not dry too fast; the slower it dries, the harder and stronger it thickens.

The brown coat, which is also 3/8ths of an inch thick, is applied over the scratch coat and brought to a level surface, no more than 1/4 inch and 5 feet wide at a time, using a tool called a darby. When the brown coat becomes slightly firm, the imperfections are removed with a cork or rubber float. The wait time between the brown and final coat is seven days, and the brown coat must also be moisture-cured for 48 hours.

The final coat is applied--from corner to corner, do not stop midwall--at approximately 1/8th inch thick, depending on the desired texture. Textured walls can be achieved using a skip trowel. For a semi-smooth texture, bring the aggregate to the surface with a sponge float.

Tips and Warnings

Check your local and state regulations on stuccoing; some states require permits and inspections. Wait time between coating and moisture-curing can depend on your climate. Wear protective attire, including goggles, because the lime and cement can burn your skin.

Friday, February 28, 2014

Supplies

Prep Work

Painting

Clean Up

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Thursday, February 27, 2014

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Ocean-Themed

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Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Cling Paint

Acrylic Paint

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Watercolor Paint

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Condition

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Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Instructions

Paint and Fill Small Wall Holes in One Step

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PVC Pipe Candy Cane