Repainting Muntins
Multipane windows and doors are attractive, let in plenty of light and make an
architectural statement at the same time. If you have newer windows or doors
on which the dividing strips (muntins) are clad in vinyl, you don't have to worry
about peeling paint. This is good because painting them can drive you nuts.
It's not that it's hard work--it isn't-- just very time consuming, especially
if you coat both the outside and inside surfaces. The biggest time consumer and patience tester is painting along the glass, often called cutting in. One way to avoid this tedious work is simply to overpaint the muntins and not worry about getting paint on the glass. Once the paint is dry to your touch--usually about 30 minutes if you're using latex--go back with a razor scraper and remove the paint from the glass. Just don't wait too long. If the paint is completely dry and hard, it will take you almost as long to scrape it off as it would have to carefully cut in around each muntin.
Repainting Muntins
Multipane windows and doors are attractive, let in plenty of light and make an
architectural statement at the same time. If you have newer windows or doors
on which the dividing strips (muntins) are clad in vinyl, you don't have to worry
about peeling paint. This is good because painting them can drive you nuts.
It's not that it's hard work--it isn't-- just very time consuming, especially
if you coat both the outside and inside surfaces. The biggest time consumer and
patience tester is painting along the glass, often called cutting in. One way to
avoid this tedious work is simply to overpaint the muntins and not worry about
getting paint on the glass. Once the paint is dry to your touch--usually about
30 minutes if you're using latex--go back with a razor scraper and remove the
paint from the glass. Just don't wait too long. If the paint is completely dry
and hard, it will take you almost as long to scrape it off as it would have to
carefully cut in around each muntin.
Safety Tips for Fall Yard Chores
(ARA Content) -- As the leaves turn and the weather cools, many of us begin outdoor cleanup. Consider the number of injuries in yard work accidents every autumn and you may begin to suspect that "fall" is actually short for "pitfall." Fall, it seems, is the season for back injuries, tumbles from ladders and lawn mower accidents. Approximately 42 million people seek emergency room treatment for such injuries each year according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Here are some simple tips to avoid common autumn injuries while working around the yard from the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS):
* Use a rake that is comfortable for your height and strength. Wear gloves or use rakes with padded handles to prevent blisters.
* Vary your movement, alternating your leg and arm positions often. When picking up leaves, bend at the knees, not the waist.
* Inspect ladders for loose screws, hinges or rungs. Clean off accumulated mud, dirt or liquids.
* Never use your hands or feet to clear debris from under a lawnmower. Use a stick or broom handle instead. Likewise, never touch the blades with your hands or feet, even if the engine is off. The blade can still move and cause serious injury.
For more lawnmower or ladder safety tips, visit the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons' Web site.
Garage Door Fix-Up
While you are performing fall maintenance tasks, don't forget to check the garage door. It is usually the largest and most often used door in your home and components can wear out or need service. Inspect for loose putty around windows and proper seal of weather stripping. Check that the rollers, tracks, wheels and axles are properly, cleaned, lubricated and aligned. These are the most common hardware parts that cause problems. Frequently, well-lubricated components accumulate debris. If necessary, clean the hardware with a rag dipped in a little paint thinner. Then, with the door down, apply penetrating oil to the tracks, rollers and hinges. Wipe away any excess. Test for proper spring tension by releasing the emergency release, if so equipped, and lift the door manually. It should open and close smoothly and remain at a mid-point. If the door is too heavy to lift easily or tends to slam closed, the springs probably need to be adjusted or replaced. Note: Garage door springs are under great tension. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO SERVICE THEM YOURSELF. Call a professional.
Homemade Wood Filler for Fall Chores
If none of us ever made a mistake when working on a project, there wouldn't be much need for wood filler. But the out-of-square cut, the pilot hole bored in the wrong place, the hammer dent that's just too deep to leave, all demand relief. There are a lot of commercial products out there. Some can be used straight out of the can, others are 2-part formulations that require mixing before use, and still others are tinted to match the color of the wood being repaired. All are good ideas. But if none are on hand, you don't have to live with your mistakes. Just take some fine sawdust from the wood that needs repairing and mix it with some plain wood glue (white or yellow) until the mixture is the consistency of a thick paste. Then, fill what needs filling and stroke the surface smooth with a putty knife. When the glue is dry, sand the filler flush to the surrounding surface. This mix will remain workable only until the glue starts to set--about 30 minutes for most wood glues--so don't mix up more than you can use at one time.
