Painting made easier by prepping properly

Masking is one of the most time-consuming parts of many paint jobs. But it is very important, unless you don't mind paint getting in areas it shouldn't be.

For those of you who aren't super-neat painters, here are some of our favorite ways to mask.

Masking tape is an obvious choice. Make sure you use the low-tack painter's tape. It's specially designed just for this purpose. Take advantage of the dispensers that most lines carry. These are easy to use and make masking much faster.

Masking off large areas is a lot easier with masking sheets. These come in a variety of sizes and have a strip of masking tape on one side. They're great for painting against flooring and many other similar areas.

Liquid masking products also can be used. Smear a layer of petroleum jelly, soap or wax on areas like window glass to prevent paint slop-overs.

Cover hanging fans and lamps with plastic bags. Use a bag large enough to cover the object, and use rubber bands or twist ties to hold it in place.

You can hold a piece of acrylic or cardboard next to areas you don't want to slop paint onto. Just hold the shield with one hand, and paint along the side of it with the other.

Some items, like doorknobs or other small hardware, can be covered with aluminum foil. Mold it over the object, and remove it when you have finished painting.

Wet newspapers can be placed over individual window panes and left to dry to block paint spatters. The newspaper will stick until you have finished painting.

Check out some of the latest gadgets available for painting that help you get a good, clean line without any masking. Practice with them before using them in your room, though.

All of these things will save you time on painting as well as on clean up.

Many uses for magnets

• Magnetic screwdrivers are super because they hold the screws while you are working so you don't have to. But magnets can be used with other tools, too. Attach one to the side of your drill and let it hold loose hardware for you. Use epoxy to hold it in place, or even a heavy-duty rubber band. You'll love it when you start looking for that tiny screw that used to be somewhere in your pocket and find it right there on the side of your drill. Add one to a toolbox or ladder, too.

Workbench in a pinch

If you don't have a workbench, you might be able to create one, even temporarily, fairly easily. A closet door can be used. Just pop the hinge pins out and lay it over your countertop or a table. Use the back side in case you scratch it up a little - nobody will see that side. When you are finished working on your project, just rehang the door. A sliding door also is a good option, as it is easy to remove from the track and rehang later. It's a temporary solution but might be just the ticket until you get your very own workbench.

Super hints

• Some colognes and perfumes are a little overpowering. Well, save these for the pests that need to be overpowered. Spray some around your trash cans, woodpile, vegetable garden or anywhere else it might offend and annoy the pests that annoy you.

• Frozen treats are great on a hot day. The sticks are great for stirring small cans of paint, adhesives and other shop or garden mixtures. Use them once and then throw them away.

• To protect valuable antiques, cover the tops of tables, dressers and shelves with acrylic or glass sheets. Have them cut to size, and use rubber bumpers to keep them in place. You will then be able to set glasses or other items on them without having to worry about the delicate finish.

Q. My older thermostat doesn't seem to work as well as it used to. Should I replace it, or just compensate for the difference in temperature readings?

A. It's possible that you might be able to clean and adjust it to work better. Dust the inside very carefully, and then use a plumb and level to get it mounted correctly. Just loosen the mounting screws, adjust it and then tighten them back down. If that doesn't work, replace it with one of the new programmable thermostats. These look complicated but are actually very easy to install and use. They can save you money by working with your work/school schedule to give you heat and air when you need it and cut back at the times when you don't.

Q. We have a concrete patio that we are going to enclose this winter. We need to find out how to prepare the slab for carpeting. Do we need to seal or waterproof it?

A. You should make sure to take care of any problems with excess moisture first. Correct any drainage issues and make sure water drains away from the slab. Then apply a concrete sealer; a subfloor is optional but adds another layer of moisture protection; then your flooring. It should be a great addition to your home. Insulation and weatherstripping also would be a great idea for keeping it livable year-round.

Q. Our redwood picnic table is starting to age and look bad. I liked the original red color of the wood and would really like to have that look again if there is any way possible. How can we make it look new again?

A. Use a wood cleaner/brightener first. This will take a very thin layer of the surface off and bring it back to the "new" look again. Use a penetrating stain to add new color (redwood color, in your case) and to protect the wood. You also can apply a water seal once a year to help prevent moisture damage.

Reader tips

• My wife brought me the vacuum cleaner hose to unclog the other day. It was REALLY clogged. I shook it and tried to feel where the clog was, but couldn't dislodge it. I finally pulled the broom out of the closet and stuffed it up into the hose. I was able to get to the clog and, with some pressure, was able to push the clog out the other side. Now I'm a hero!

• This year I decided to plan ahead and have the furnace checked and serviced before it started getting cold. I'm glad I did, because the serviceman found a venting problem that could have caused a carbon monoxide problem in our home. Now our furnace is ready to go for another season. I even saved money because business was slow for them at this time of the year, so they came out the day after I called and gave me a really good deal.

• I have a window in my bathroom (good), but it's in the shower (bad). Drapes were out of the question, as well as shutters and blinds. I found some great adhesive-backed opaque window covering at my home center. It looks like etched glass, but it's really inexpensive and easy to install. Now I have some light and privacy, and it's waterproof, so it should last awhile.

• We decided to panel our den, and we wanted to do it ourselves. We bought the paneling and were told to set it in the room to acclimate for a few days first. What we discovered was that between each sheet of paneling, there was a sheet of paper. It was there to protect the finish, probably. The paper made a great template for the spaces where we had to cut out for wall switches and outlets. We could use the paper to mark the cutouts instead of trying to hold up the paneling and mark it.

• I've always heard you could make a lamp out of just about anything, but we tried it in our office. We were going to throw out a pile of old books that was just sitting there on the table, and the idea came to me. So we got the lamp pieces, including a long rod to fit through the books, and just drilled right through the center of each one. We pushed the rod through the books, attached the top and connected it all. It's the perfect accent lamp for our office, and it was fun to make, too.

Shoptalk

• To keep equipment moving freely, a good lubricant is the key, but when extreme conditions exist, Jig-A-Loo Graphite Extreme is what you need. The spray lubricant goes on quickly and easily, and can take on even the most extreme temperatures. It can take the heat as well as the cold, and it won't fail. The special formula was made for dusty, dirty conditions and won't collect dirt. It's oil-free, so it's perfect for just about any type of equipment. Use it on electrical equipment, hinges, springs, locks, outdoor equipment and even on snowblowers. It's widely available at hardware stores, home centers and auto-supply stores. To learn more about Graphite Extreme or any of the other Jig-A-Loo products, visit jigaloo.com.

• The Powersmith 12-volt Compact Hand Saw is surprisingly powerful. The small size will fool you, but when you start using it, you will see how great it works. The small size makes it very versatile, and since it's cordless, it can go almost anywhere. It's only 15 inches long, so you can use it under a sink or in a crawl space. Even blade changes are simple, with no tools required, and it uses any standard jigsaw blade. It is tough and carries a two-year warranty. The new lithium battery gives it plenty of run time, and it's available at select hardware stores and home centers. To learn more, go to the company's Web site at richpowerinc.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.