If you have ever used stainblocker, sealer, or primer, then you’re probably already familiar with Kilz brand. You’re also probably smart enough to use primer rather than hoping a completely different color paint will cover the other color right up. More on that mindset later. What you may not be familiar with is their new zero VOC high performance interior/exterior water-based primer, sealer and stainblocker. Perfect for weekend warriors and professionals not interested in sucking in volatile organic compounds while painting. If you’re lucky enough to be reading this in July, you even have a chance to win not only a gallon of the Kilz Clean Start primer, but also a $100 gift card to the Home Depot (both generously provided by Kilz), AND six rolls of Frog Painter’s Tape! [click to continue…]
We’ve all been there. Standing at the paint store, complimentary stir-sticks in hand, gazing woefully at rows of masking tape. Since it’s hard to tell one roll from another, manufacturers have cleverly resorted to coloring their tapes to set them apart. There’s the old beige masking tape you grew up with as a kid. Let’s face it, it usually sucks. Lots of tearing and bleed-through. Then there’s the ubiquitous and somewhat pricey blue painter’s tape. It’s OK, but leaves some room for improvement when it comes to clean lines. Then there’s Frog Tape, the painter’s tape that followed Geico’s lead and employed a small reptile as a mascot. If you’re like me, you’ve probably stood in front of those rows and thought, “when did masking tape get so expensive?” Frog Painter’s Tape also tends to be a step above even the blue tape in price. So is green Frog Tape worth your hard-earned greenbacks? [click to continue…]
Before using The Finishing Turntable, it used to be that I had only two uses for lazy-susan devices: 1) Providing access to hard to reach goodies in the corners of cabinets, and 2) providing access to a plentiful variety of tasty dishes at a Chinese food event. After conducting our Finishing Turntable review, I can now add finishing woodwork to the list. [click to continue…]
If you have a small hole in your wall (bigger than a nail hole, smaller than a brick), a simple way to fix it is to use mesh tape and joint compound or plaster patch. I’m a little ashamed to say I’ve become a bit of a mesh connoisseur over the years. If I was a villain in Batman, my name would be “The Denter” and my cheesy catchphrase would be something like “How Hole-some! Mwahahaha!” as I smashed little holes in walls wherever I went. [click to continue…]
