- What type of scraper should I use to remove the peeling paint on my exterior wood siding?
If you have a lot of scraping to do, opt for a larger one with a carbide blade. While these cost more, they will last longer and do a better...
- Do I need to prime my ceiling before painting it?
While its always a good idea to prime before painting, unless you ceiling has stains, you probably dont need to because it doesnt take the...
- How do I caulk baseboard and trim around window and doors before painting?
First, cut a small hole 18th of an inch from the tip of the spout at an angle. Dont cut off too much of the tip. Then, most caulk guns come with...
- What type of masking tape should I use before painting?
Use tape that is designated as painters tape. This tape is usually blue or green in color. It is designed to provide excellent masking capabilities,...
- What type of caulk should I use on trim before painting?
Use siliconized acrylic latex caulk. It tends to be more flexible and has better adhesion. This will prevent cracks later...
- What is a tack cloth?
Its a cloth that picks up and holds dirt, sand and other debris. You should use one on any surface before you apply a coat of paint or...
- I’m going to be painting a table that has a gloss finish. Do I need to prepare the surface?
You should use a liquid deglosser, which works without sanding and also produces a slight tack for better adhesion of the new...
- I want to sand several chair legs, but I’m having difficulty because of the contours and hard to reach areas. Can you help me?
Try a flexible sanding...
- How do I tell which steel wool is finer?
The smaller the number, the finer the steel...
- What can be used to produce a nice smooth surface when I finish furniture?
Using a fine steel wool between multiple coats will give you a smoother surface. Be sure to clean the surface with a tack cloth before...
- Is sandpaper better for smoothing coats between coats than steel wool?
It can be just a matter of preference, but steel wool is normally recommended. You might also want to consider a finishing pad. They...
- What does a number such as 120 on sandpaper mean?
These numbers stand for the number of particles per square inch. The higher the number the finer the...
- How does a sandpaper holder help me sand?
A sanding block helps speed up sanding jobs, relieves strain on your hands and makes your sandpaper last...
- What type of sandpaper should I use on metal?
For smooth finishes you should use aluminum oxide, and for extreme fineness you can use emery to create a final polish. Steel wool can be...
- What type of sandpaper do I need for preparing wood before I paint it?
Aluminum oxide is a good multipurpose sandpaper. It cuts fast and lasts long time. Its usually best to use three different grits...
- Do I need to apply anything to the wall before papering?
You should apply wall sizing to all old or new walls. It prepares the surface and acts as a first coat. It makes a smooth surface and...
- How do I remove paint from wood?
You can use a chemical paint stripper. Be sure to brush it on in one direction and always wear chemical-resistant gloves and safety goggles. You...
- What tools do I need to remove old wallpaper?
A wallpaper remover, a 3 wallpaper stripping tool, a bucket and a sponge. You can also buy a tool that will score the paper before you...
- Can putty knives be used as a scraper for drywall?
While putty knives with stiff blades can be used to scrape loose materials, a paint scraper is a better tool for the job. It has a sharp blade...
- My house has plaster walls. Is there something specifically designed to patch cracks in plaster walls as opposed to drywall?
Yes. Patching plaster is designed specifically for patching plaster walls. Like spackling, it may be sanded and painted and can be textured to match...
- What is the difference between drywall joint compound and spackling?
Drywall joint compound is lighter in consistency and is used for joining drywall seams and bedding drywall seam tape. Spackling is used to patch...
- What type of patching material should I use to repair cracks in my wall?
A lightweight spackling compound is a good choice. It resists shrinking, cracking and sagging and it requires little sanding. Some formulas even...