Here's a cheaper way to get new kitchen countertops

Laminated countertops are tough, and they can last a long time. If you've considered replacing the top because it's dull or scratched, or maybe it's just an ugly color, it is possible to do so without spending an arm and a leg.

You can put new laminate right over the old. Just measure your existing countertops so you can shop for your replacement laminate. Check your home center to find out what it has in stock. You will be able to trim it once it's in place, so buy pieces that are a little larger than you need.

To make sure the new laminate will "stick" to the old, you need to lightly sand the gloss off the entire existing surface. Clean it with a vacuum, and follow up with a damp sponge to get all of the dust off the surface.

Apply contact cement to the existing countertop and the underside of the laminate. Follow the package directions, and keep the two surfaces apart until the cement has had time to start setting up, usually 10 minutes or so. It will feel tacky.

Place wooden dowels, cut wider than the countertop, spaced every few inches apart down the length, and then set the new laminate on top of these. This is supposed to make setting it in place easier. Once the laminate is positioned, start at one end and remove the dowels, pushing the laminate in place a little bit at a time. Use a strong roller to smooth out the countertop and to make sure the contact cement makes a good adhesion.

Trim the edges smooth to finish it off. If you need to make any cuts in the laminate, you can use a straightedge and utility knife, or a router with a bit made for cutting laminate. There are some specialized trimming tools that are also available and that work really well to give you a smooth finish. Perhaps you can borrow or rent one if you don't have one.

You could have a whole new look for your kitchen in just one weekend. Wouldn't that be super?

PVC pipes a dream: There are a lot of great ways to store garden tools. You want to keep them easily accessible and in a place where they can be protected from the elements, like in a garage or storage shed. Many storage devices allow you to hang the tools on a wall, and this is great because it frees up floor space. One easy way to do this without spending a lot of money is to use PVC pipe. Just cut sections of 2-inch pipe about 3 inches long and then attach them to the wall, vertically. Now you can slide several different tool handles down into the pipe sections. It's simple and easy to do, and free if you have some scraps lying around.

Old tin can makes good funnel: Pouring liquids and even some solids from one container to another can be messy if you are not careful. If you don't have a funnel, you can make one from a tin can. Just use a pointed can opener or some other device to punch a hole at the base in the side of the can. Pour the compound into the can and hold the can over the container you are transferring the compound into so that the hole is over the opening. The material will pass through the can and out the hole at the bottom and into the second container. No mess. No fuss. And no waste!

Super hints

• Don't let your garage go up in flames. Always keep solvent-soaked rags in a covered metal container, like a coffee can. Keep a smoke detector and fire extinguisher on hand all the time.

• Cleaning a fireplace is a good idea, for a lot of reasons. A word of caution, though: When using a vacuum cleaner, make sure you have a superfine filter in place, or all of the ashes you vacuum up will be blown back into the room through the vacuum's exhaust. If you can't do this, then just sweep it up by hand.

• If you need to strain some paint, solvents or many other shop compounds, try using a coffee filter. Set one in your funnel and start pouring. It should do an adequate job of removing the debris that you don't want to see later on.

Q. At one time, I painted my kitchen tiles. I've noticed that they are starting to peel. How can I strip off the rest of the paint without ruining the tiles?

A. There are some paint strippers that will work on tile. Just test it first to make sure it doesn't harm the finish on the surface of the tile. The grout, however, may have to be replaced or repainted.

Q. It's been about a year since we had our new blacktop driveway put in. At the time, they told us to wait until it had fully cured before sealing it. Can we seal it yet? How do we do that?

A. It should be cured by now. Just make sure it is very clean before applying the sealer. There are several brands available, and they are easy to use. You'll love the results, and your driveway will last a lot longer. Just read and follow the manufacturer's directions.

Q. I dropped a vase in my kitchen sink and chipped it - the sink, not the vase. Now I have a big chip in the middle of the sink. How can I cover or fill this and make it look OK again?

A. Most hardware stores will have a porcelain touch-up kit that works pretty well. It would be helpful to know the brand of sink you have in order to get a perfect color match. If the chip is deep, it may take several coats to fill it back up. Don't forget to remove any rust before filling it in if the metal is exposed.

Reader tips

• I found out that you can fix a rolling shade that doesn't roll up anymore. My sister showed me how. You just take the shade out of the hanging bracket on the end that has the spring in it. You'll know which end it is because it will turn. Turn the shade up two or three turns by hand, and then put it back in the bracket. It should have its spring back and work much better. If not, try again. This will make it work like new again.

• Our older home has a couple of pocket doors. We love them because they eliminate the problem of a door swinging, yet they do a great job when you need privacy. They can be loud, though, when you slide them too fast. I installed some felt bumpers on the door frame, and now they are much quieter - no more slamming noise.

• I don't wear jackets with shoulder pads in them, so now I have a drawer full of these to deal with. I found that they make great kneepads when I have to get on my knees to clean the floors. I just put a dab of white glue on the shoulder pad and stick it to my work jeans. The pads stay in place until they get washed, and they make it so much nicer when I have to work so hard.

• We had a fantastic garage sale. We made enough money from it to help finish our deck. We let some of our family members contribute some of their items, too. We priced the items with different colored stickers - yellow for us, red for my mom and green was for Aunt Julie's items. Then as people "checked out," we put these labels inside the cash box so we could add it up later and split up the money. We had so much fun and made so much money that I think we will try to do it again in the fall.

• I thought it would take forever to paint all of our kitchen cabinet doors. It seemed like there were a hundred of them. I did it in half the time by just driving a small tack into each corner on the backside of each door. I painted the back, then flipped them and set them down on the tacks and painted the front side. The back was drying as the front was, and I just had to pull the tacks and do a quick touch-up here and there to finish them. I had them painted and back up by Sunday dinner!

Shoptalk

• The Magic Stud-Finder has Xtreme Magnets to quickly and positively locate both wood and metal studs. Its design helps eliminate faulty readings where wiring and pipe are hidden. All you have to do is load the magnets into the high-impact plastic holder and run it over the areas to pinpoint exactly where the studs are located. The magnets are attracted by the hidden nails or screws, and will stay on the wall in that place. As each magnet is released, you will begin to get a clear picture of the inside of your walls. To learn more, visit the company's Web site and see them in action at www.magicstudfinder.com.

• There are a few tricks you need to know about installing crown molding before you begin, or you can use Foam Crown Molding and get it up quickly and beautifully. This molding is flexible, affordable and requires no special woodworking tools or skill to install. It's perfect for imperfect or curved walls, and comes in a variety of styles. They can be painted with a brush or sprayed. You have to see these online at www.foambymail.com.

• Write to Al and Kelly Carrell in care of the Daily Herald, P.O. Box 280, Arlington Heights, IL 60006, or visit the Carrells' Web site at thesuperhandyman.com.

© 2009, Cowles Syndicate Inc.