Painting Tips & Tricks: Choosing the Right Paint

Thanks to The Housing Guru

Selecting the correct paint for a job is often confusing, and it’s easy for homeowners to make mistakes. While it may not appear to make a difference—after all, many of the finishes look similar when applied—choosing the correct paint is crucial to achieving the desired performance.

For instance, some may not like the idea of having to wash their brush or painting tools in solvent or mineral spirits, and, therefore pick a latex or acrylic based paint that offers “quick water clean-up.” And the paint, once applied, looks fine. A problem may arise, however, if the latex or acrylic paint isn’t suitable for the surface or environment. When in doubt, always consult an expert. A quick check with the paint specialist at the local paint, hardware, or home center will provide the information you need to help you choose the right paint.

Whether your paint job is inside or outside your home, there are numerous options available, but one of your choices will be in deciding whether to use latex or alkyd/oil based paint. The list below provides some guidance, but your specific conditions or usage may vary. I recommend verifying your choice with an expert.

COMPARISONS OF LATEX AND OIL/ALKYD PAINTS
LATEX - ADVANTAGES Ease of use and clean-up Environmentally friendly Adheres to galvanized metal Quick dry time Non-combustible and safer to use Easier clean-up of spills Resists mildew Works well on masonry Does not yellow with age		LATEX - DISADVANTAGES Adhesion on some surfaces not equal to oil Subject to freezing when not dry Less durable in high use areas Poor adhesion to dirty surfaces Less durable More easily stained
ALKYD/OIL ADVANTAGES Excellent adhesion to most surfaces Less affected by low temperatures Less shrinkage Less affected by temperature Seals over stains Better rust prevention Better adhesion on dirty/chalky surfaces		ALKYD/OIL DISADVANTAGES More difficult to apply Strong odor Longer drying time Clean up requires solvent Gets brittle over time May yellow with age Inability to “breathe” causes blisters Susceptible to mildew Harmful to the environment

Thanks to DIYnetwork

Toilet trouble. If your toilet seems to be flushing a little listlessly, don't blame the water pressure. Ninety percent of the time, the holes under the rim are the problem. Or, more accurately, the calcium and sediment clogging the holes are the problem. Get a small brush with stiff bristles and clean them out. The action of the toilet will be much better.

Leaky toilets are a problem, especially if you have a septic tank. All that extra water can cause the septic tank to fill up too quickly. To find and fix those leaks, first check the ball float, which controls the water level in the tank. If it lets the water rise too high, it will start to flow into the overflow pipe and right out the drain. Adjust the arm for the ball float by tightening the screw at the top of the arm mechanism. Or bend the arm downward, which will stop the water flow sooner after a flush.

The other most likely source of a leak is the flapper. Go to the hardware store, buy a new flapper for less than $5.00, pop the old one off and put the new one on. Before you take that last step, though, clean around the area to remove any sediment that might keep the flapper from sealing properly.

Grungy grout. Now that the toilet is working fine, it's time to fix the tile. If you want to replace the grout, you have two options: Dig it out by hand or use a grout-removal attachment on a rotary tool. The first option will give you forearms like Popeye's; the second will give you some free time. You can get all the grout out of a shower in just a couple of hours. Then you're ready to replace it, maybe with a color-coordinated grout that can give the bathroom a whole new look.

Annoying doors. Squeaky or sticky doors can drive you crazy, but it's easy to fix them, too, using a rotary tool with a different attachment. With the Dremel XPR, you can shave off the edge of the door that's sticking. (If you're not sure exactly where that part might be, rub the inside of the door casing with colored chalk, then close the door. When you open it again, you'll see chalk on the part of the door that made contact with the frame.)

To get rid of a squeak, just rub some petroleum jelly on the hinges. It's not as messy as oil, it works just as well and you probably have it on hand.