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After cleaning your chrome faucets, rub them down with a piece of wax paper. It will help to keep them free of watermarks and fingerprints.
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Thursday Tips- Prevent Watermarks
After cleaning your chrome faucets, rub them down with a piece of wax paper. It will help to keep them free of watermarks and fingerprints.
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
New Year New Home Series- Revive & Refinish
If your once-pristine coffee table is looking old and worn from watermarks, or your hand-me-down hutch has become a scratching post for your cat, it may be a good time to bring some revival to your home. Refinishing furniture is one of the easiest ways to turn back the hands of time and make your old things look new again.
Each refinishing project is unique, so there isn't one formula that will work for all. Here we will give you a run-down of different types of stains and sealers and explain some pointers for this easy project.
As is the case with painting, your staining or finishing job is only as good as the preparation that goes into it.
The first step to any refinishing project is to strip the piece of its current paint or stain. Aside from paint, it can be hard to tell what type of finish a piece of furniture has simply by looking. Test a small area with denatured alcohol. If the finish dissolves you're in luck! The piece is most likely finished in shellac, which is fairly easy to remove. If denatured alcohol doesn't do the trick test another small spot with lacquer thinner. If your finish is lacquer then the thinner will work. Apply the alcohol or thinner with an old paintbrush and wipe off with a clean cloth, working in small sections at a time.
Unfortunately, if your furniture is finished in paint or varnish the stripping process is a bit more time consuming. You will need a specific paint or varnish remover for these jobs, and it will need to sit on the furniture for an extended period of time before being removed.
Once your piece has been stripped you will want to repair any scratches, holes, or dents that it may have acquired over time. Wood filler works best for larger cracks or dents. Apply it with a putty knife and allow it to sit for a couple of days.
Once you have successfully stripped your furniture you will want to sand it. First sand with a course sandpaper, then sand it once more with a low-grit sandpaper. Wipe it clean with a tack cloth and apply a wood conditioner.
Next you will want to choose a stain. Water based stains are non-toxic and easier to clean up, however they tend to streak. Oil based stains are available in liquid or gel form and tend to be more user-friendly, though they create stronger fumes. Use a rag or a brush to apply the stain in the direction of the grain.
Once the stain is dry apply a finish to protect the wood. Tung oil is easy to use and effective for indoor furniture. Apply with a brush and allow to dry for at least 24 hours.
Still have questions? Stop by Baller Hardware and let our friendly and knowledgeable associates help you with every step of the process.
**photo credit: http://www.woodfurnitureplan.org
Each refinishing project is unique, so there isn't one formula that will work for all. Here we will give you a run-down of different types of stains and sealers and explain some pointers for this easy project.
As is the case with painting, your staining or finishing job is only as good as the preparation that goes into it.
The first step to any refinishing project is to strip the piece of its current paint or stain. Aside from paint, it can be hard to tell what type of finish a piece of furniture has simply by looking. Test a small area with denatured alcohol. If the finish dissolves you're in luck! The piece is most likely finished in shellac, which is fairly easy to remove. If denatured alcohol doesn't do the trick test another small spot with lacquer thinner. If your finish is lacquer then the thinner will work. Apply the alcohol or thinner with an old paintbrush and wipe off with a clean cloth, working in small sections at a time.
Unfortunately, if your furniture is finished in paint or varnish the stripping process is a bit more time consuming. You will need a specific paint or varnish remover for these jobs, and it will need to sit on the furniture for an extended period of time before being removed.
Once your piece has been stripped you will want to repair any scratches, holes, or dents that it may have acquired over time. Wood filler works best for larger cracks or dents. Apply it with a putty knife and allow it to sit for a couple of days.
Once you have successfully stripped your furniture you will want to sand it. First sand with a course sandpaper, then sand it once more with a low-grit sandpaper. Wipe it clean with a tack cloth and apply a wood conditioner.
Next you will want to choose a stain. Water based stains are non-toxic and easier to clean up, however they tend to streak. Oil based stains are available in liquid or gel form and tend to be more user-friendly, though they create stronger fumes. Use a rag or a brush to apply the stain in the direction of the grain.
Once the stain is dry apply a finish to protect the wood. Tung oil is easy to use and effective for indoor furniture. Apply with a brush and allow to dry for at least 24 hours.
Still have questions? Stop by Baller Hardware and let our friendly and knowledgeable associates help you with every step of the process.
**photo credit: http://www.woodfurnitureplan.org
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Thursday Tips- Garbage Disposal
Quick Tip:
Keep your garbage disposal running its best by keeping fibrous & sticky foods out of it. Corn husks, carrot shavings, potato skins, rice, celery, and banana skins can clog up your drain. Opt for disposing of them in a trash can or compost pile instead!
Keep your garbage disposal running its best by keeping fibrous & sticky foods out of it. Corn husks, carrot shavings, potato skins, rice, celery, and banana skins can clog up your drain. Opt for disposing of them in a trash can or compost pile instead!
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
New Year, New Home Series- Let There Be Light
Sometimes the idea of dabbling with fixtures or electrical wires can seem daunting. However with the right tools and know-how it's something that most DIY challenged can accomplish. Lighting makes a huge difference in the atmosphere of a room. Simply changing out a light bulb can help a small room feel bigger! Here are some ways you can change up the lighting in your home to give a room a whole new feel.
It may not seem like much but in truth it can make a world of difference. Traditional halogen bulbs tend to dim over time, and we don't even notice until we change them out. Try switching out your old bulbs for energy efficient LEDs. They last around 18 years, take no time to warm up, and come in many different colors. Plus, they can save you around $1.70 per year per bulb in energy costs!
This can be especially helpful in rooms where ambiance is important, such as a bedroom or dining room. Changing your switch out can be done in just about 15 minutes. You'll need a dimmer switch, a screwdriver, a circuit tester, 3 twist-on wire caps, a wire cutter, and a wire stripper. Watch this video to see step by step instructions on how to install one.
Rewiring your entire kitchen to add accent lights under your cabinets can be a slow and expensive process. Try adding battery powered slim lights like these to add a soft glow to your counter areas.
Use a circuit tester to make sure all wires are dead. Remove the wire caps or electrical tape that holds together the wires of the old fixture to the installed wires, and carefully remove the fixture from the ceiling.
If necessary, use a wire stripper to expose the wires on the new fixture. Attach the wires on the fixture to the corresponding wires in the wall or ceiling: black to black and white to white. See instructions included with your fixture for what to do with the ground (green) wire.
Position the new fixture, secure with screws or included hardware, and add light bulbs.
Still have questions? Stop by Baller Hardware and let our friendly and knowledgeable associates help you with every step of the process.
Change the light bulbs
Add a dimmer
Light up the kitchen
Rewiring your entire kitchen to add accent lights under your cabinets can be a slow and expensive process. Try adding battery powered slim lights like these to add a soft glow to your counter areas.
Change out the fixtures
Admit it- you've been dying to get rid of that boob-shaped bowl that your house's previous owner installed for quite some time now. Pick out a new fixture and grab these tools:
- Pliers
- Screwdriver
- Circuit Tester
- Wire Cutter/ Stripper
- Wire Caps
Use a circuit tester to make sure all wires are dead. Remove the wire caps or electrical tape that holds together the wires of the old fixture to the installed wires, and carefully remove the fixture from the ceiling.
If necessary, use a wire stripper to expose the wires on the new fixture. Attach the wires on the fixture to the corresponding wires in the wall or ceiling: black to black and white to white. See instructions included with your fixture for what to do with the ground (green) wire.
Position the new fixture, secure with screws or included hardware, and add light bulbs.
Still have questions? Stop by Baller Hardware and let our friendly and knowledgeable associates help you with every step of the process.
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
New Year, New Home Series- Update Your Paint
As we head into a new year, many of us have the idea of fresh starts and new beginnings on our minds. With twelve months ahead of us, the possibilities for change and improvements are endless. Here at Baller we want to help you- and we're starting with your home! Each week we will be posting ideas and tutorials to update your nest and finally finish those projects that have been sitting in your garage for years.
This week we're starting with the most basic of updates- paint. Painting a room usually takes only an afternoon, but it can change the entire look and feel of a space. For first time painters the process can seem daunting, but with careful prep work and a little patience even the most novice of DIYers can tackle this project. Let's start with supplies.
You'll Need:
Begin by prepping your space. Remove whatever furniture you can. Move the remaining furniture to the center of the room and cover with a drop cloth. Remove all hardware in the room including electrical switch plates, phone jack covers, curtains, and nails. Cover any exposed flooring with plastic tarps or drop cloths.
You will first need to touch up the walls so that the new coat of paint has a clean and smooth surface to dry on. Cover any small nail holes with nail filler and allow to dry according to instructions. For larger gashes and holes Spackle may be necessary. Start by cleaning the area, and apply the spackling compound with a putty knife at a 45 degree angle. Scrape off excess compound and repeat this process until the area is entirely filled in. Allow to dry for a few hours.Once the blemishes have all been filled in, you will want to run a low-grade sandpaper over your handiwork to make sure all the Spackle and nail filler is flush with the wall.
Next comes the taping and cleaning. This is perhaps the most tedious part of the whole process. At this point you probably just want to see your new color on the walls! But if you are diligent and patient in your prep work you will save yourself a lot of time on the back end. And we've all seen shoddy paint jobs- uneven lines and paint splotches on the trim will detract from the beautiful atmosphere you are trying to create. Begin by cleaning your walls from the bottom up with TSP. Rinse the walls with water and a sponge and allow to dry. Begin taping around the trim with two-foot sections of tape. Pull the tape taut and make sure your lines are level and smooth. If you are painting different colors on different walls, tape the corners of whatever wall you will be painting second (Experienced painters may cut in without tape, but this step is essential to creating clean lines for novices.)
If your room is a drastically different color than your new paint, or if you have spackled large areas, you will need to begin with a coat of primer.
Start by stirring the paint well with a stir stick to ensure the pigment is easily distributed. Pour some paint into the reservoir of a lined paint tray and place the lid back on the paint. Begin with your paintbrush around the edges of moulding and doors. Watch carefully for drips.
Once you have outlined your room, start in with the paint roller. Dip the roller in the reservoir of paint and use the ribbed top of the tray liner to evenly distribute the paint around the roller. A big mistake new painters often make is skimping on the amount of paint the get on the roller and then attempting to "squeeze" paint out by pressing the roller too firmly to the wall. Don't do it! Use more paint than you think you need- you can always distribute it further once you start rolling. Going from the top of the room to the bottom, roll the paint on in 4 ft X 4 ft sections. Allow the room to dry for at least 3 hours before evaluating whether or not you need a second coat. Wait at least 24 hours before rehanging pictures.
As with most things, the labor of painting a room is lightened when shared. Our final piece of advice is to order a pizza, grab a six-pack, and enlist the help of some friends to help make the job easier!
Still have questions? Stop by Baller Hardware and let our friendly and knowledgeable associates help you with every step of the process.
This week we're starting with the most basic of updates- paint. Painting a room usually takes only an afternoon, but it can change the entire look and feel of a space. For first time painters the process can seem daunting, but with careful prep work and a little patience even the most novice of DIYers can tackle this project. Let's start with supplies.
You'll Need:
- Painters Tape
- Paint Tray
- Paint Tray Liner
- Paint Roller
- Roller Cover
- Roller Extender (optional)
- Angled Paintbrush (2 inches works for most jobs)
- Drop Cloths and/ or plastic tarps
- Spackle (or Hole Filler for small nail holes)
- TSP (Trisodium Phosphate)
- Sponge or microfiber cloth
- Sandpaper
- Primer
- Paint (one gallon for every 350 square feet) For paint inspiration click here!
Begin by prepping your space. Remove whatever furniture you can. Move the remaining furniture to the center of the room and cover with a drop cloth. Remove all hardware in the room including electrical switch plates, phone jack covers, curtains, and nails. Cover any exposed flooring with plastic tarps or drop cloths.
If your room is a drastically different color than your new paint, or if you have spackled large areas, you will need to begin with a coat of primer.
As with most things, the labor of painting a room is lightened when shared. Our final piece of advice is to order a pizza, grab a six-pack, and enlist the help of some friends to help make the job easier!
Still have questions? Stop by Baller Hardware and let our friendly and knowledgeable associates help you with every step of the process.
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