Thursday, January 31, 2013

Blue Bedroom - Part 5 of 7 - How to Paint a Closet Blue

Painter's hat
By Gary Boutin

Supplies and Tools:
Blue wall paint 
Can opener (for Paint)
Gloves nitrile disposable 
Ladder 4 to 6 feet 
Painting brush 2-inch 
Painting ceiling edger 
Plastic liner 
Paint frame and painting roller
Paint stick (stirring)
Paint tape (2 inch or wider) 
Paint stirrers
Metal paint tray
9-inch roller cover
Tarp for floor

My new ad on the internet's "Craigslist-free services offered," advertised my handyman skills. Tyler Zowat, noticed the listing and called me to come to his home in Perris, California. He had a little girl's room with blue walls and since his daughter had grown up and moved to private school, he wanted the bedroom closet finished. 

This post shows the twelve steps on how to paint a closet with blue paint. 

Step 1: Place a tarp larger than the area that needs to be painted on the floor. 
Step 2: Fig.1 shows the paint can opener to open the blue paint can. These are still free at paint stores and the large warehouse doors. 
Step 3: Fig.2 shows painters tape that needs to be placed on all floor edges.
Fig.1 Paint can opener
Fig.2 Masking blue and white tape
Step 4: Fig.3 shows wood paint stirrers that will mix the blue paint. Make sure the paint is a the same color, no streaking. Wipe of paint off the paint can with a clean rag.
Fig.3 Paint stirrers
Step 5: Fig.4 shows above shows the metal paint tray with the plastic liner. Now Pour the paint into the paint tray. 
Fig.4 Metal paint tray
with plastic liner
Step 6: Roll the paint roller into the paint tray and roll the roller up and down to get an even coat of paint on the roller cover. Fig.5 shows a nine inch roller cover that goes over. Fig.6 the paint frame. Fig.7 shows a paint frame and a three inch roller cover.
Fig.5 - 9-inch roller cover
Fig.6 - 9 inch roller frame
Fig.7 - 3-inch roller
Step 7: Fig.8 shows the paint edger on the right, the plan is to paint all the edges first, this is called cutting.
Fig.8 Paint edger

So cut all the closet sides and the ceiling with the paint by the edger tool. Apply one smooth coat. Fig.9 to fig.10 shows the wall edges have been painted. All that is left is the center of each wall.
Fig.9 Inside closet middle
Fig.10 Inside close left wall
Step 8: It takes some time for the edger to get to all the areas of the ceiling. Fig.12 shows a paint brush to wipe down any drip.
Fig.11 Inside closet right side
Fig.12: 2-inch paintbrush
Step 9: After all the closet edges have been painted use the roller and apply paint to the walls evenly.  Do one long strip at a time. Pick a side start right or start left and pick and end point. Usually start at the top of the wall and roll down evenly with the roller to the bottom of the wall. It may take two coats of paint on the walls to apply the paint evenly. 
Step 10: Now repeat the process over and over until the wall is painted, for a closet its more work because usually a closet has a shelf. So a ladder is needed to reach across the shelf and reach the edges of the ceiling. Use a six-foot ladder and the height is perfect for this job. So there is a top and a bottom to the wall. To get to the bottom of the wall use a paint brush to add paint to the baseboards. Paint tape should have been added to prevent paint from getting on the floor. Do not forget to paint the shelf and the underneath the shelf to, and any wood that may be connected to the shelf. 
Step 11: When the interior of the closet is painted the outside of the closet needs to be painted too.  Usually it is a 3 inch piece of metal trim that needs to match the walls. Fig.13 and fig.14 shows how the paint edger is being used to cover the top metal part of the closet.
Fig.13 Outside metal closet edging
Fig.14 Different vies outside closet
Step 12: The closet has been completed and it matches the bedroom walls.  It will never match completely because of the UV light coming from the windows. UV rays will fade the paint and thus change the color. Now Tyler Zowat can enjoy his new bedroom and change the room into a guest room.
Fig.15: Closet left side 
no door with pole
Blue Bedroom:

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Note: The DIY Advisor assumes no liability for omissions, errors or the outcome of any jobs. The reader must always exercise reasonable caution, follow current codes and regulations that may apply, and is urged to consult with a licensed contractor if in doubt about any steps on these posts. All names were changed to protect client's privacy. DIY Advisor. Reproduction of site content including photos without permission prohibited. All rights reserved. © Copyright 2011-

How to Clean Six Panel Door with a Magic Eraser

Fig.1: Bottom door edge
By Gary Boutin

Supplies and Tools:
Mr. Clean Magic Eraser®
Dry clean towels

What is my favorite tool to take off dark marks of white paneled doors, It the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser®. The magic Eraser sponge is white in color. As it removed the marks on the door the sponge itself seems to disappear.

This post shows the four steps to clean white paneled doors with the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser.

Step 1: Above fig.1 through fig.5 shows how to wipe the entire door including the panel edges, the dirt and dust on top of the door paneled edges.
Fig.2: Bottom left side
Fig.3 Bottom right side
Fig.4 Bottom of right top side
Fig.5 Another view of the
bottom of right top side
Step 2: Fig.6 through fig.9 shows the Magic Eraser® cleaning the door. The Magic Eraser® Sponge is pressed into the molds of the door to remove the dust and dirt.
Fig.6 Cleaning dirt from edges
Fig.7 Right side
Fig.8 Right side another view
Step 3: Fig.10 and fig.11 shows a dry towel was used to pick up any moisture on the door, along with any dirt that the magic eraser® removes. 
Fig.9 Left side top view
Fig.10 Top side of decor
Fig.11 Bottom side drying door
Step 4: Fig.12 shows the finished clean door. Takes about thirty minutes to do both sides of the door, a little longer if you have dark marks at the bottom of the doors. Now if you have six paneled doors like my home it will take a few hours to clean all the doors but then your home will be all ready for company.
Fig.12 Finished door

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Note: The DIY Advisor assumes no liability for omissions, errors or the outcome of any jobs. The reader must always exercise reasonable caution, follow current codes and regulations that may apply, and is urged to consult with a licensed contractor if in doubt about any steps on these posts. All names were changed to protect client's privacy. DIY Advisor. Reproduction of site content including photos without permission prohibited. All rights reserved. © Copyright 2011-

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Automobile Battery Cable Backups

Fig.2 Cables attached together
By Gary Boutin

Supplies and Tools:
Battery cables two sets

I was visiting a good friend name Gary A. in Fullerton, California who needed a favor to drive his spare automobile to the local garage. He needed to move a Buick Electra out of his driveway but he ran into a little problem. He tried to start the car, the battery just click and click and the battery was to weak to start the car. He took his set of battery cable out of his Toyota pickup truck and tried to reach the auto battery. But his truck battery cable was to four feet to short. What to do! 

This post shows the ten steps to solving this problem.

Step 1: It turned out that Gary had a spare set of battery cables in the Buick Electra trunk, so he had two sets of battery cables.
Step 2: Above fig.2 shows that each battery cable are attached together, that is the positive side
Fig.1 Yellow on orange
Step 3: Orange/yellow being positive from the Toyota battery to positive on the Buick Electra battery. 
Step 4: Black being negative on the first battery to black on the second battery. 
Step 5: In the picture below red and orange are together, and that the positive side of the battery cables. 
Step 6: Fig.3 shows the black is attached to black and in the yellow attached to the Red side of the Buick Electra battery.
Fig.3 Attached to the battery
Step 7: Black is attached to the negative side of the battery. 
Step 8: The most common color in all battery cables is that the negative will always be black in color. The negative doesn't have to be on the battery, the negative is called the ground, but it is commonly placed on the battery to have a good charge. 
Step 9: If the second set is a different color than as long as the correct color goes to the positive side of the battery than the contacts will be fine 
Step 10: Gary was able to crank the Buick Electra engine and then the battery cables were removed and then we both took separate automobiles and drove the Buick garage for repair. Like all things in this post, safety comes first, if you are not sure, do not attempt this yourself and let a automobile mechanic or tow truck operator take care of your battery needs.

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Note: The DIY Advisor assumes no liability for omissions, errors or the outcome of any jobs. The reader must always exercise reasonable caution, follow current codes and regulations that may apply, and is urged to consult with a licensed contractor if in doubt about any steps on these posts. All names were changed to protect client's privacy. DIY Advisor. Reproduction of site content including photos without permission prohibited. All rights reserved. © Copyright 2011-

Monday, January 28, 2013

How to Install Irrigation Sprinkler Valves Covers

Fig.1 Sprinkler main valves
By Gary Boutin

Supplies and Tools:
Rock or fiberglass irrigation covers

Jim had a huge laundry list in Santa Clara, California. He needed to get his house on the market since his job had moved to Colorado. Today we are addressing his irrigation sprinkler valves because they were unsafe and needed to be protected from children. One set of the valves were located in the playground area, one set by the pool area and the final set by the front side of Jim's house.

This post shows the two steps to cover the irrigation valves with fake rock covers. 

Step 1: Go to your local hardware store and purchase an irrigation cover. Or a fancy rock cover, rock covers are usually made of fiberglass and are very light.  
Step 2: Fig.1 and fig.2 shows the irrigation valves. Pick up the cover and place it over the existing irrigation valves.
Fig.2 Side view
Step 3: Fig.3 shows the top of the cover. 
Step 4: Fig.4 shows the side of the cover, notice no irrigation pipes can be seen, completely covered by the cover Now each area of Jim's home has irrigation covers thus protecting the valves and the children. This job is finished.
Fig.3 Top view
Fig.4 Side view


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Note: The DIY Advisor assumes no liability for omissions, errors or the outcome of any jobs. The reader must always exercise reasonable caution, follow current codes and regulations that may apply, and is urged to consult with a licensed contractor if in doubt about any steps on these posts. All names were changed to protect client's privacy. DIY Advisor. Reproduction of site content including photos without permission prohibited. All rights reserved. © Copyright 2011-

Sunday, January 27, 2013

How to Paint Brown Living Room - Part 1 of 7 - Taping the Living Room

Fig.1
By Gary Boutin

Supplies and Tools:
Cloth duct tape
Mud pan (red)
Paper tape
Scissors 
Razor knife 
Tarp (plastic)
Tarp painter's cloth




Tyler Zowat lives in Perris, California. He had a new patio installed late last summer and the carpenter accidentally cut a pipe that flooded the bathroom. A local plumber repaired the job but not the drywall. These post show how the job was handle and the walls painted. He purchased all his paint from The Home Depot.

This post shows the four steps on how to tape the room for repair.

Step 1: Fig.1 shows what the local plumber left for Mr. Zowat. Fig.2 shows some of the tools needed to repair this wall job. 
Fig.2

Step 2: Fig.3 through fig.5 shows the areas that was taped with masking tape.
Fig.3
Fig.4
Fig.5

Step 3: Fig.6 through fig.8 shows the taping process.
Fig.6
Fig.7
Fig.8

Step 4: Fig.9 shows the ceiling being tape with painter's tape to prevent the ceiling to be painted.
Fig.9



How To Paint Brown Living Room:

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Note: The DIY Advisor assumes no liability for omissions, errors or the outcome of any jobs. The reader must always exercise reasonable caution, follow current codes and regulations that may apply, and is urged to consult with a licensed contractor if in doubt about any steps on these posts. All names were changed to protect client's privacy. DIY Advisor. Reproduction of site content including photos without permission prohibited. All rights reserved. © Copyright 2011-

Saturday, January 26, 2013

How to Tear Down Dried Up Flower Box

Fig.1 Aging flower box
By Gary Boutin

Supplies and Tools:
Aviation snips
Cordless saw or hand saw 

I was called by a client in Santa Clarita, California. They were selling their homes and moving up to Colorado. After the Realtor checked their beautiful home, she requested a huge repair list of repairs. Jim wanted all the old planters to be demolished.

This post shows the six steps to Tear Down a flower box that is no longer being used for flowers or plants. 

Step 1: Fig.1 shows what planters needs demolished.
Step 2: Fig.2 and fig.3 shows the use of aviation snips to cut the metal bands around the old planters. 
Fig.2 Aviation snips
Fig.3 Cutting flower 
box metal bands
Step 3: Fig.4 shows to pull the metal band off the planters. 
Step 4: Fig.5 shows only the wood is left behind.
Fig.4 Pull off metal bands
Fig.5 Wood structure
Step 5: Fig.6 shows what is left is the dirt that will be moved to the garden area. 
Fig.6 Remove dirt
Step 6: Fig.7 shows that the wood was cut with a cordless saw or handsaw and prepare the wood scraps for the trash disposal service. Now Jim has a clean front yard all ready for his move to Colorado.
Fig.7 Cut up for disposal

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Note: The DIY Advisor assumes no liability for omissions, errors or the outcome of any jobs. The reader must always exercise reasonable caution, follow current codes and regulations that may apply, and is urged to consult with a licensed contractor if in doubt about any steps on these posts. All names were changed to protect client's privacy. DIY Advisor. Reproduction of site content including photos without permission prohibited. All rights reserved. © Copyright 2011-