Many of the questions I’m requested regularly need to do with merchandise that I take advantage of for my tasks. I’ve been DIYing for effectively over 20 years now (okay, over 30 years, however I don’t prefer to say that as a result of it makes me sound too outdated 😀 ). And over time, I’ve developed and frequently refined my listing of favourite go-to merchandise, in addition to my listing of merchandise to keep away from. So let me share my a couple of of my favourite go-to DIY merchandise. You probably have any questions on merchandise I take advantage of for functions that aren’t listed under, be happy to depart a query within the remark part and I’ll add to this publish if I’ve a favourite product in that class.
The very best wooden filler — DAP Plastic Wooden Solvent-Based mostly Wooden Filler
For concerning the final two or three years, this has been my go-to wooden filler.
I used to make use of the water-based stuff made by the identical firm (all out there at House Depot), however the water-based stuff would typically crack and shrink over time. And when used on outside tasks (like my entrance porch), it will put on off and crumble over time.
This solvent-based method stinks to excessive heaven and must be saved the other way up to maintain it from drying out (the label is right-side-up when the can is the other way up), however I discover that it’s stronger, doesn’t crack or shrink over time, and is far more sturdy than the water-based stuff. Nevertheless it’s simply as simple to make use of, has a really comparable texture to the water-based method, and is simply as simple to sand when it’s dry.
After I did my entrance porch makeover, overlaying the concrete porch with a cedar porch, I initially used the water-based method. After it began to crack and crumble, I really dug out the remainder of the water-based method from all the screw holes, after which I used this solvent-based method as a substitute. It has held up superbly since then.
The very best water-based clear coat — Basic Finishes Excessive Efficiency Topcoat
I’ve been touting the goodness of Basic Finishes Excessive Efficiency Topcoat for a few years now, and I’ll proceed till I’ve made converts out of all of you. 😀 I used to hate water-based clear coats, and I might keep away from them if in any respect doable. All the ones that you just discover on the large field residence enchancment shops are simply terrible, in my humble however correct opinion. 😀 Then somebody recommended that I attempt Basic Finishes, and I’ve by no means seemed again. I’ll by no means contact one other water-based clear coat product as a result of based mostly alone private expertise (not that I’ve tried ALL of the merchandise on the market), this one is the very best.
I like the flat end (which really appears extra like a satin sheen to me), and I apply it to something from comparatively small tasks, like my lounge espresso desk makeover, to large tasks like portray my kitchen cupboards.
I final painted my kitchen cupboards in the summertime of 2017 (nearly 5 years in the past), and excluding three tiny chips the dimensions of half a grain of raw rice, they nonetheless look good. The image above was taken simply a few weeks in the past (February 2022), and I’ve by no means as soon as touched up the paint on these cupboards within the final almost-five years.
I credit score the sturdiness to the entire course of I used (I don’t skimp on prep work), however I feel the Basic Finishes Excessive Efficiency Topcoat deserves a complete lot of credit score for these cupboards holding up so effectively for 5 years in opposition to an individual who’s very laborious on finishes (me) and a wheelchair person who isn’t essentially the most cautious when wheeling via the kitchen (Matt).
The very best primer for cupboards, furnishings, unfinished wooden — Zinsser Cowl Stain oil-based primer
That is my go-to primer for almost the whole lot, excluding unprimed/unpainted drywall. If I’m working with model new drywall that has by no means been primed or painted, I take advantage of a water-based method that’s specified for drywall. However in nearly each different state of affairs, whether or not I’m portray cupboards, furnishings, unfinished wooden trim, or absolutely anything else, I don’t even have to consider it. I simply attain for the Zinsser Cowl Stain oil-based primer.
It’s oil-based, so it stinks. Make sure you learn the instructions and take precautions. However after having approach too many bleed-through points with the water-based primers (even Kilz and all of these different water-based primers that almost all DIYers rave about), I made a decision to offer the oil-based stuff a attempt. I’ve by no means seemed again. So far as I can keep in mind, I’ve by no means had any bleed-through points with this primer, and for those who let it dry rather well, it sands like a dream. Use 220-grit (or finer) sandpaper as soon as it’s dry (you understand it’s dry sufficient when it sands like high quality chalk mud), and you will get a stunning and easy end.
I take advantage of it earlier than I paint each piece of wooden furnishings, just like the dresser in our bed room…
I usually get requested how I get such a easy end when portray furnishings and cupboards with a paint brush (you’ll be able to see my recommendations on that right here), and the prep work, together with the priming and sanding, is a large a part of that.
The very best all-purpose caulk — DAP Alex Quick Dry Caulk
With only a few exception, that is just about the one caulk I take advantage of. It’s DAP Alex Quick Dry caulk, and I actually purchase it by the case and at all times have it readily available.
Each single little bit of the trim and molding in my home has been caulked with this caulk.
In case you use my ideas for caulking your trim, you’ll find yourself with a good looking caulk line that can dry shortly and will be painted very quickly after caulking. I discover that most often, as quickly as I’m finished with caulking (as a result of I’m typically caulking loads of trim at a time), it’s dry and able to be painted.
So these are the highest merchandise that I at all times have readily available and use frequently on my DIY tasks that I do round my residence. What different merchandise are you questioning about? If I’ve expertise with a selected class, and I’ve a favourite go-to product in that class, I’ll be pleased so as to add it to my listing!
Addicted 2 Adorning is the place I share my DIY and adorning journey as I transform and adorn the 1948 fixer higher that my husband, Matt, and I purchased in 2013. Matt has M.S. and is unable to do bodily work, so I do the vast majority of the work on the home on my own. You possibly can be taught extra about me right here.
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