Now that you hopefully have your paint and your supplies you are ready to prepare for your painting project. To get the best results, take the time to ensure that the surface to be painted is clean, dry and smooth and coated with the correct primer. Here are some other prep suggestions based on the surface that you will be painting:
Bare Wood:
* Fill nail holes, joints and cracks with patching paste.
* Sand smooth and remove sanding dust with a tack cloth.
* Prime all bare wood and patched areas with a primer.
New Plaster Walls:
* These must be clean and completely cured.
* Textured or swirl types and soft, porous or powdery plaster must be:
* Treated with a solution of one pint household vinegar in one gallon of water.
* Repeat the treatment until the surface is hard.
* Rinse with plain water.
* Let dry and apply primer.
New Drywall:
* Panels must be securely nailed or glued in place.
* All panel joints must be taped and filled before painting.
* When joint cement and/or patching materials are thoroughly dry, sand smooth, wipe away dust, then prime.
Wallpaper:
* Always remove wallpaper before painting. Use a chemical wallpaper remover or rent a steamer, if necessary.
* Once the paper is removed, wash off old adhesive. Rinse with water and allow the wall to dry before priming.
Previously Painted Surfaces:
* Wash off dirt, grease, soap and oil buildup with the appropriate cleaner. Rinse thoroughly.
* Remove loose paint and powdery substances.
* Patch holes and cracks with spackling or patching compound. Allow to dry, then sand smooth.
* For glossy or nonporous surfaces, lightly sand to a dull finish or use an abrasive cleanser.
* Remove sanding dust or cleanser residue.
* Make sure to prime all bare areas prior to applying topcoat.
Now that you have prepared the surface you are going to paint, make sure you have also taken care of the following items:
* Remove draperies, pictures, mirrors, area rugs, hardware (if possible), and switch and receptacle cover plates.
* Move all furniture to the center of the room or the room, if possible. Cover all furniture with drop cloths.
* Tape off woodwork and tape down plastic drop cloths.
* Wrap plastic around light fixtures, and use masking tape to cover any hardware you can't remove.
* Open a window or door to ensure good ventilation.
* Gaps between walls, ceilings, crown moldings and other interior trim can be filled with the appropriate caulk after priming the surface.
You are ready to paint now! You may want to first note though, it's important to paint a room in the right order. Even the best painters using the best paints have drips, splatter and occasional spills. Make sure you try to follow the painting order below.
Ceilings:
* Paint a 2-inch wide strip on the ceiling where it meets the wall.
* Using a roller with an extension pole, start in a corner and work across the short side to maintain a wet edge.
Walls:
* Paint a 2-inch strip along ceiling, floor and woodwork with a brush.
* Use a roller, coming as close to the edges as possible to create a clean, uniform appearance.
Woodwork:
* Paint all trim around doors, windows, ceilings and floor.
Floor:
* Start in a corner diagonally opposite the room exit.
* Paint a 2-inch wide strip on the floor where it meets the wall or trim.
* Using a roller with an extension pole or a wide brush, start in a corner and work across the short side to maintain a wet edge.
Friday, April 9, 2010
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Dear Just Be: It's supposed to be great weather this weekend and I want to "refreshen" my home - any painting tips?
Spring is in the air, and its time to freshen up our homes, open the windows and let the fresh air in and do a little updating. Painting can be an inexpensive and easy way to give a room or your entire home a new and fresh feel and look.
You'll want to decide what is the right type of paint to use first. This depends on how the room to be painted will be used and the type of finish you want. Interior paint is specifically formulated to provide: Scrubbability and stain resistance, good hiding ability, good coverage, spatter resistance and easy touch-up
Latex or Oil? Interior house paints are either latex or oil/alkyd-based.
Latex - Get the longest-lasting finish with the best gloss retention, are easy to work with, dry quickly and are extremely durable. Latex paints clean up easily with soap and water.
Oil / Alkyd - Good adhesion, excellent durability and stain resistance make oil/alkyd-based paints excellent choices for trim in high-traffic rooms, such as kitchens and bathrooms. You'll need to clean paint tools with mineral spirits.
Choosing the right paint for the surface will help ensure that you achieve a quality paint job that will last.
Ceilings - Use specially formulated flat ceiling paint. The flat finish hides irregularities and lap marks. Ceiling paint rolls on with minimal spatter and won't yellow over time.
Woodwork - Use either latex or oil/alkyd paint. Always prime bare wood. Easy-to-clean semi-gloss finishes are first choice, but when wear-and-tear is modest, flat or satin finishes are fine selections.
Walls - Because it's easy to work with, latex paint is an excellent choice for do-it-yourself projects. Latex paints can be applied over properly primed drywall, wood or masonry.
Metal - Use either latex or oil/alkyd paint on properly primed iron or steel. You can apply latex directly on aluminum and galvanized metal. However, these metals need to be properly primed if you're using oil/alkyd-based paint.
Masonry - For cement, concrete block and brick surfaces, acrylic latex wall paint designed for masonry surfaces is an excellent choice.
Floors - Use high-gloss acrylic floor enamels to stand up to abrasion, traffic and heavy scrubbing.
Lastly, when choosing paint, you'll need to determine the finish type you'll want to use. The sheen you choose is based on the final look and wearability you want to achieve.
You'll want to decide what is the right type of paint to use first. This depends on how the room to be painted will be used and the type of finish you want. Interior paint is specifically formulated to provide: Scrubbability and stain resistance, good hiding ability, good coverage, spatter resistance and easy touch-up
Latex or Oil? Interior house paints are either latex or oil/alkyd-based.
Latex - Get the longest-lasting finish with the best gloss retention, are easy to work with, dry quickly and are extremely durable. Latex paints clean up easily with soap and water.
Oil / Alkyd - Good adhesion, excellent durability and stain resistance make oil/alkyd-based paints excellent choices for trim in high-traffic rooms, such as kitchens and bathrooms. You'll need to clean paint tools with mineral spirits.
Choosing the right paint for the surface will help ensure that you achieve a quality paint job that will last.
Ceilings - Use specially formulated flat ceiling paint. The flat finish hides irregularities and lap marks. Ceiling paint rolls on with minimal spatter and won't yellow over time.
Woodwork - Use either latex or oil/alkyd paint. Always prime bare wood. Easy-to-clean semi-gloss finishes are first choice, but when wear-and-tear is modest, flat or satin finishes are fine selections.
Walls - Because it's easy to work with, latex paint is an excellent choice for do-it-yourself projects. Latex paints can be applied over properly primed drywall, wood or masonry.
Metal - Use either latex or oil/alkyd paint on properly primed iron or steel. You can apply latex directly on aluminum and galvanized metal. However, these metals need to be properly primed if you're using oil/alkyd-based paint.
Masonry - For cement, concrete block and brick surfaces, acrylic latex wall paint designed for masonry surfaces is an excellent choice.
Floors - Use high-gloss acrylic floor enamels to stand up to abrasion, traffic and heavy scrubbing.
Lastly, when choosing paint, you'll need to determine the finish type you'll want to use. The sheen you choose is based on the final look and wearability you want to achieve.
Flat - Its matte appearance softens a room and helps hide surface blemishes, making walls look smooth. This finish, which cleans easily with a damp sponge, is ideal for: Adult bedrooms, Dining rooms, Formal living rooms and Ceilings.
Satin - With its slight gloss, this finish offers the benefits of a flat finish with added cleanability. It works best for high-traffic areas such as: Halls ,Woodwork, Children's bedrooms, and Family rooms.
Semi-Gloss - This lustrous, durable finish is perfect for areas that get cleaned frequently, such as: Kitchens, Bathrooms, Utility area, Closet doors, and Trim.
Gloss - This extremely hard and shiny finish provides a rich, smooth luster and is excellent for: Wood trim, Cabinets, Doors, and Furniture.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Dear Just Be: I am going to Miami this summer and need to buy a swimsuit, but haven’t purchased one in years. Where do I begin?
There is one rule to remember when buying a swimsuit: Buy what you are going to be comfortable in, mentally and physically. If you purchase and wear a swimsuit that you are not confident or comfortable in you are going to be tugging and pulling at it everywhere, which is going to draw attention to all the wrong places – probably not what you are looking for.
The first step in buying a swimsuit is to figure what the point of the swimsuit will be – swimming, or sunbathing. If it is the latter you probably don’t need to be too concerned about purchasing an expensive, name brand swimsuit. If you will be swimming in it, and especially in open waters, then you should consider higher end swimsuits; they tend to be made better and will stay on your body.
The next step is figuring out your body shape. Are you pear shaped, an hour glass, wider bottom, athletic? Once you determine your shape you can look for the style that is most flattering for you. There are many styles to choose from, which can be great because you have so many choices, but it can be overwhelming. If you are pear shaped a one-piece bathing suit with tummy control or other features that create an illusion of a waist line will be the most flattering on you. If you have an hourglass shape you can generally select any classic style suit. For a wider bottom, a skirt or boy shorts will offer great coverage and will be the most flattering. With an athletic build, adding a wrap or having a belted suit bottom will flatter your body type because it creates more of waist.
Once you have selected a style based on your body shape you should determine the correct size. To figure out what your size, check out the page on Dick’s Sporting Goods website. Do be aware that the sizes for swimsuits are not the same for your everyday cloths. They have a size for competitive suits and then sizes for casual wear. This is why it is imperative that you determine and measure yourself to get the right size. Your suit should not be baggy anywhere, but it also shouldn’t be cutting into your skin.
The next and final step is you NEED to try the suit on. Swimsuit styles, designs, fabrics vary so much that you can’t rely just on size. Absolutely try the suit on before you buy! When trying suits on please try them on with your underwear on, I can’t believe I am writing that, but yes many young girls and even women don’t know to keep their own underwear on and to put the swimsuit over it. I think the visual of not doing this is enough to give you a reason why you should do this. This even goes for purchasing single, non-packaged underwear. Once you have selected, at least, two suits in the store that you like, it is a good idea to purchase them and take them home to try them on in natural lights. The store lights can mislead you as to what you really look like in the swimsuit.
After going through all of this to get a flattering and comfortable swimsuit, it is important to take care of the suit so you can get several more years of use from it. When you’re done swimming or sunbathing, soak or rinse the swimsuit in tap water. This gets rid of most of the sand, salt and chlorine. The showers or faucets on beaches are for this purpose too. DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT put your swimsuit in a washing machine because it’s too abrasive and this will cause pilling on the swimsuit. Lay your swimsuit flat to dry and only fold and store the swimsuit when it’s 100% dry.
The first step in buying a swimsuit is to figure what the point of the swimsuit will be – swimming, or sunbathing. If it is the latter you probably don’t need to be too concerned about purchasing an expensive, name brand swimsuit. If you will be swimming in it, and especially in open waters, then you should consider higher end swimsuits; they tend to be made better and will stay on your body.
The next step is figuring out your body shape. Are you pear shaped, an hour glass, wider bottom, athletic? Once you determine your shape you can look for the style that is most flattering for you. There are many styles to choose from, which can be great because you have so many choices, but it can be overwhelming. If you are pear shaped a one-piece bathing suit with tummy control or other features that create an illusion of a waist line will be the most flattering on you. If you have an hourglass shape you can generally select any classic style suit. For a wider bottom, a skirt or boy shorts will offer great coverage and will be the most flattering. With an athletic build, adding a wrap or having a belted suit bottom will flatter your body type because it creates more of waist.
Once you have selected a style based on your body shape you should determine the correct size. To figure out what your size, check out the page on Dick’s Sporting Goods website. Do be aware that the sizes for swimsuits are not the same for your everyday cloths. They have a size for competitive suits and then sizes for casual wear. This is why it is imperative that you determine and measure yourself to get the right size. Your suit should not be baggy anywhere, but it also shouldn’t be cutting into your skin.
The next and final step is you NEED to try the suit on. Swimsuit styles, designs, fabrics vary so much that you can’t rely just on size. Absolutely try the suit on before you buy! When trying suits on please try them on with your underwear on, I can’t believe I am writing that, but yes many young girls and even women don’t know to keep their own underwear on and to put the swimsuit over it. I think the visual of not doing this is enough to give you a reason why you should do this. This even goes for purchasing single, non-packaged underwear. Once you have selected, at least, two suits in the store that you like, it is a good idea to purchase them and take them home to try them on in natural lights. The store lights can mislead you as to what you really look like in the swimsuit.
After going through all of this to get a flattering and comfortable swimsuit, it is important to take care of the suit so you can get several more years of use from it. When you’re done swimming or sunbathing, soak or rinse the swimsuit in tap water. This gets rid of most of the sand, salt and chlorine. The showers or faucets on beaches are for this purpose too. DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT put your swimsuit in a washing machine because it’s too abrasive and this will cause pilling on the swimsuit. Lay your swimsuit flat to dry and only fold and store the swimsuit when it’s 100% dry.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Dear Just Be: Due to the heavy snow my trees have broken branches, is now a good time to prune the trees?
This time of year is really the best time to do extensive pruning, but you can lightly prune your trees any time of the year. The reason it is good to prune your trees now is because one, trees have dropped their leaves so it is easy to see what you are doing. Two, wounds on trees close fast when done before new shoots emerge. Third and finally, there are not many insects and spores that are diseased to get into the wounds where you just pruned your tree.
The proper way to prune your trees depends on the type of tree. When done correctly pruning will ensure the health and growth of the tree. If you have a large mature tree, it is best to hire a professional arborist. This is to ensure the tree is not indiscriminately chopped at, and more importantly for your safety. When selecting an arborist make sure they are bonded and insured and look for arborists that are certified with the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA).
In regards to your question, taking care of broken branches is referred to as cleaning on your tree; most pruning on older trees will fall into this category. When cleaning it is important that you not remove healthy branches and live foliage, also don’t clean out healthy growth in the tree’s interior. To minimize risk if the branch were to completely break off and fall, you should remove any dead branch larger than a two inch diameter and higher than 30 feet. In addition to being a safety hazard, dead branches can become a source for insect and disease in the tree. There is much more to cleaning and taking care of mature trees and it is probably best and easiest to hire an arborist. However, if you want to make this a DIY project, check out the following website on when and how to prune your trees:
Colorado State University Extension
The proper way to prune your trees depends on the type of tree. When done correctly pruning will ensure the health and growth of the tree. If you have a large mature tree, it is best to hire a professional arborist. This is to ensure the tree is not indiscriminately chopped at, and more importantly for your safety. When selecting an arborist make sure they are bonded and insured and look for arborists that are certified with the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA).
In regards to your question, taking care of broken branches is referred to as cleaning on your tree; most pruning on older trees will fall into this category. When cleaning it is important that you not remove healthy branches and live foliage, also don’t clean out healthy growth in the tree’s interior. To minimize risk if the branch were to completely break off and fall, you should remove any dead branch larger than a two inch diameter and higher than 30 feet. In addition to being a safety hazard, dead branches can become a source for insect and disease in the tree. There is much more to cleaning and taking care of mature trees and it is probably best and easiest to hire an arborist. However, if you want to make this a DIY project, check out the following website on when and how to prune your trees:
Colorado State University Extension
Monday, April 5, 2010
Dear Just Be: I have so many hard boiled Easter Eggs I don't know what to do with them all. Any recipes you can share?
We have a few Deviled Egg recipes just for this need!
Bacon-Balsamic Deviled Eggs
12 eggs
4 slices bacon
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup minced red onion
2 teaspoons white sugar
1/2 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
1/4 teaspoon celery salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
Directions
1. Peel and halve hard boiled eggs lengthwise. Separate the yolks from the whites, placing the yolks in a bowl; arrange the egg whites with the rounded side down onto a serving platter.
2. Place the bacon in a large, deep skillet and cook over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until evenly browned, about 10 minutes. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate; chop.
3. Mash the yolks with a fork. Add the bacon, mayonnaise, onion, sugar, vinegar, celery salt, and pepper; stir until thoroughly combined. Spoon the mixture into the egg whites. Garnish with parsley.
Spicy Deviled Eggs
12 eggs
1 1/2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 1/2 tablespoons mayonnaise
1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon hot pepper sauce, or to taste
1 pinch salt and black pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground paprika, for dusting (divided)
1 (6 ounce) can black olives, drained and cut in half horizontally
Directions
1. Peel the eggs. Cut each egg in half lengthwise, remove the yolks, and place the yolks in a bowl with the mustard, mayonnaise, Worcestershire sauce, hot pepper sauce, and salt and pepper. Mash the yolks, and stir the mixture until smooth and thoroughly combined.
2. Fill each egg half with the deviled yolk mixture, using a spoon, piping bag, or a sturdy plastic bag with a corner cut off. Dust each egg with a pinch of paprika, and place an olive half, round side up, in the center of each. Refrigerate until chilled, 20 to 30 minutes, and serve cold.
Avocado Egg Salad
Ingredients
6 hard-boiled eggs, peeled
2 avocados - peeled, pitted, and cubed
1/2 cup minced red onion
3 tablespoons chopped sweet pickles
1 tablespoon prepared yellow mustard
1/3 cup mayonnaise
salt and pepper to taste
Directions
1. Mash the eggs with a fork in a mixing bowl to break up. Add the avocado, onion, pickle, mustard, and mayonnaise. Gently smash the ingredients together until blended. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Cobb Sandwich
Ingredients
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup blue cheese dressing
8 slices multigrain bread
2 cooked chicken breasts, sliced
1 ripe avocado, sliced
8 slices cooked bacon
2 hard boiled eggs, chopped
4 lettuce leaves
Directions
1. Prepare the sandwich spread by mixing together the mayonnaise and blue cheese dressing. Spread 2 tablespoons on one side of each slice of bread. Top 4 of the prepared pieces of bread with 1/4 each of the chicken, avocado, bacon, hard boiled eggs, and lettuce. Top each sandwich with another slice of bread and serve with the remaining blue cheese spread on the side.
Bacon-Balsamic Deviled Eggs
12 eggs
4 slices bacon
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup minced red onion
2 teaspoons white sugar
1/2 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
1/4 teaspoon celery salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
Directions
1. Peel and halve hard boiled eggs lengthwise. Separate the yolks from the whites, placing the yolks in a bowl; arrange the egg whites with the rounded side down onto a serving platter.
2. Place the bacon in a large, deep skillet and cook over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until evenly browned, about 10 minutes. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate; chop.
3. Mash the yolks with a fork. Add the bacon, mayonnaise, onion, sugar, vinegar, celery salt, and pepper; stir until thoroughly combined. Spoon the mixture into the egg whites. Garnish with parsley.
Spicy Deviled Eggs
12 eggs
1 1/2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 1/2 tablespoons mayonnaise
1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon hot pepper sauce, or to taste
1 pinch salt and black pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground paprika, for dusting (divided)
1 (6 ounce) can black olives, drained and cut in half horizontally
Directions
1. Peel the eggs. Cut each egg in half lengthwise, remove the yolks, and place the yolks in a bowl with the mustard, mayonnaise, Worcestershire sauce, hot pepper sauce, and salt and pepper. Mash the yolks, and stir the mixture until smooth and thoroughly combined.
2. Fill each egg half with the deviled yolk mixture, using a spoon, piping bag, or a sturdy plastic bag with a corner cut off. Dust each egg with a pinch of paprika, and place an olive half, round side up, in the center of each. Refrigerate until chilled, 20 to 30 minutes, and serve cold.
Avocado Egg Salad
Ingredients
6 hard-boiled eggs, peeled
2 avocados - peeled, pitted, and cubed
1/2 cup minced red onion
3 tablespoons chopped sweet pickles
1 tablespoon prepared yellow mustard
1/3 cup mayonnaise
salt and pepper to taste
Directions
1. Mash the eggs with a fork in a mixing bowl to break up. Add the avocado, onion, pickle, mustard, and mayonnaise. Gently smash the ingredients together until blended. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Cobb Sandwich
Ingredients
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup blue cheese dressing
8 slices multigrain bread
2 cooked chicken breasts, sliced
1 ripe avocado, sliced
8 slices cooked bacon
2 hard boiled eggs, chopped
4 lettuce leaves
Directions
1. Prepare the sandwich spread by mixing together the mayonnaise and blue cheese dressing. Spread 2 tablespoons on one side of each slice of bread. Top 4 of the prepared pieces of bread with 1/4 each of the chicken, avocado, bacon, hard boiled eggs, and lettuce. Top each sandwich with another slice of bread and serve with the remaining blue cheese spread on the side.
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