 |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
||||||||||
 | |||||
| | ||||
| |||||
 | |||||
| | ||||
| |||||
Preparation makes painting home as simple as 1, 2, 3 Posted: Wednesday, Mar 15, 2006 - 08:34:59 am PST By ED MADAN Columnist
Last week I started a series of articles on painting. In this week's article I thought I would discuss surface preparation, surface touch-up, and painting tips. Walls and other painted surfaces collect dirt and grime like a magnet. My dog rubs against them and my grandchildren wipe their greasy fingers and hands on them.As a certified international executive housekeeper, I know that cleaning paint really depends on the type of paint used. Before applying a cleaning solution to your walls, the surface must be prepped before wet cleaning. The walls should be vacuumed or brushed down to remove loose debris. The surface must be tested in an inconspicious area to see if the cleaning solution will do the job and not damage the surface. Test the area and then let it dry thoroughly. After the spot is dry, examine the surface to see if any damage occurred, if not, proceed in the cleaning process.
After the walls are cleaned, small holes can be filled by using white toothpaste. Touching up paint usually does not work well if the paint is more than a year old because fading has taken place. The new paint will make the wall look splotchy with areas of discoloration. If is usually better to paint the entire wall with the new paint. Painting tips: 1. If you have to store a paintbrush or roller for a few days before you can complete a project, place item in a plastic bag and seal it tight. Put the item in the freezer. Brushes and rollers will not dry out for a couple of days and cleanup is not necessary until the project is completed. 2. When painting woodwork, cover door knobs, locks, hinges, and other hardware with a generous coat of petroleum jelly. Any splashed paint will easily wipe off. 3. If you have to paint screw heads, push them into a block of foam packing material with the heads facing up. They can be easily painted and removed once dry. 4. Oil-based paint can be removed from your hands by using vegetable oil. Lightly coat your hand with the oil and watch the paint peel right off. 5. To stop white paint from becoming yellow with age, put several drops of black paint into it, mix it thoroughly. In next week's article I will continue with painting tips. If you are allergic to any of the above products, please don't use them. Always test fabric and paints before using any chemical compound. Please remember to wear rubber gloves to protect your hands and eye protection for your eyes. If you would like to share a cleaning idea or concept with the reading audience, call Ed Madan at Northwest Environmental Services (255-2266) or send them to Bonner County Daily Bee, 310 Church St., Sandpoint, ID 83864, Attn: What Would Ed Do? Copy written by Edmond E. Madan, Certified forensic, fire, flood, mold inspection and remediation contractor. Ed is the chief executive officer of Northwest Executive & Environmental Services, LLC. POST YOUR OPINION
* All comment posts will encounter a possible delay of up to 24 hours.
|
Bonner County Daily Bee
P.O. Box 159 / Sandpoint, Idaho 83864 / 208-263-9534
Bonner County Daily Bee Online is updated at 10am PST.