<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss version="2.0" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/" xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/" > <channel> <title>Level Up House</title> <atom:link href="/tag/diy/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" /> <link></link> <description>Home is the best place on earth</description> <lastBuildDate>Sun, 11 May 2014 19:06:26 +0000</lastBuildDate> <language>en-US</language> <sy:updatePeriod> hourly </sy:updatePeriod> <sy:updateFrequency> 1 </sy:updateFrequency> <generator>https://wordpress.org/?v=6.5.5</generator> <item> <title>DIY Bathroom: Staining a Bathroom Vanity with Gel Stain</title> <link>/2014/diy-bathroom-staining-a-bathroom-vanity-gel-stain/</link> <comments>/2014/diy-bathroom-staining-a-bathroom-vanity-gel-stain/#comments</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Mandi]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Mon, 12 May 2014 08:00:03 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Painting & Staining]]></category> <category><![CDATA[bathroom vanity]]></category> <category><![CDATA[DIY]]></category> <category><![CDATA[stain bathroom vanity]]></category> <category><![CDATA[staining]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">/?p=3066</guid> <description><![CDATA[This post is part of a multi-post series showing off the DIY renovation of our office (“guest”) bathroom. Here’s how I updated a small, dated bathroom vanity for well under a hundred bucks. This is my very first staining project (though I’ve got plenty of experience with painting wood) so I followed the same steps […]]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/gel_stain_how_to_tutorial.jpg"><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-3126 aligncenter" src="/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/gel_stain_how_to_tutorial.jpg" alt="gel_stain_how_to_tutorial" width="500" height="500" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/gel_stain_how_to_tutorial.jpg 500w, /wp-content/uploads/2015/03/gel_stain_how_to_tutorial-150x150.jpg 150w, /wp-content/uploads/2015/03/gel_stain_how_to_tutorial-300x300.jpg 300w, /wp-content/uploads/2015/03/gel_stain_how_to_tutorial-120x120.jpg 120w" sizes="(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px" /></a></p> <p><em>This post is part of a multi-post series showing off the DIY renovation of our office (“guest”) bathroom.<br /> </em></p> <p>Here’s how I updated a small, dated bathroom vanity for well under a hundred bucks. This is my very first staining project (though I’ve got plenty of experience with painting wood) so I followed the same steps demonstrated by Jessie over at <a href="http://imperfectlypolished.com/2012/07/10/stained-master-vanity-a-tutorial/">Imperfectly Polished</a>. I think it turned out pretty good.</p> <h1>Our Vanity “Before”</h1> <p>Here’s our office bathroom’s “Before”, looking pretty much like it has since we moved in 3 years ago.</p> <p>Take it all in: the brass faucet has resisted all attempts to fix its leak, the sink lacquer is chipping, the light fixture is straight out of a 1970’s Hollywood dressing room, and the vinyl floor is from a 1980’s hair salon. Like most of our DIY projects here at Level Up House, this bathroom will evolve over time, starting with the very first step: staining the vanity.</p> <div id="attachment_3068" style="width: 394px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/stain_bathroom_vanity_before.jpg"><img decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-3068" class="size-full wp-image-3068 " src="/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/stain_bathroom_vanity_before.jpg" alt="stain_bathroom_vanity_before" width="384" height="512" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/stain_bathroom_vanity_before.jpg 384w, /wp-content/uploads/2014/03/stain_bathroom_vanity_before-225x300.jpg 225w" sizes="(max-width: 384px) 100vw, 384px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-3068" class="wp-caption-text">This is not our prettiest bathroom.</p></div> <h1>Vanity Staining Supply List</h1> <p>Staining a bathroom vanity comes with a whole slew of stuff to buy. Here’s a list of everything I used:</p> <ul> <li>Minwax Pre-Stain wood conditioner</li> <li>Minwax Gel Stain in “Walnut” – 16oz can</li> <li>Minwax Fast-Drying Polyurethane</li> <li>Corner sander with 120 grit sanding paper</li> <li>Painter’s tape</li> <li>Cheesecloth (optional)</li> <li>Old socks</li> <li>Safety goggles & dust mask</li> <li>Plastic gloves</li> <li>Mineral spirits for clean up</li> <li>A roll of paper towels</li> <li>Shop vac + brush attachment</li> <li>Screwdriver/drill for removing the cabinet doors and hardware</li> </ul> <p>I was originally going to buy the smaller size can of stain, but went with the 16oz after realizing it was going to take several coats (and indeed, it took 5 complete coats) to get my vanity’s wood as dark as I wanted. The cheesecloth was recommended to me by the “staining professional” at my local hardware store, but I think it was kind of silly. Any old rag made of thin cloth would have worked fine and would have saved me $7.</p> <div style="width: 522px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/stain_bathroom_vanity_supplies_list.jpg"><img decoding="async" src="/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/stain_bathroom_vanity_supplies_list.jpg" alt="stain_bathroom_vanity_supplies_list" width="512" height="384" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">My local Home Depot doesn’t carry Minwax or much variety in gel stains. I had to hit up McLendon Hardware instead, where I found Minwax and an overwhelming selection of colors to choose from.</p></div> <h1>Step 1: Take it all apart</h1> <p>Use the screwdriver/drill to remove doors and cabinet hardware. If you can get your faux drawers off, do that, too. (I couldn’t get mine off for the life of me.)</p> <div id="attachment_3073" style="width: 394px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/stain_bathroom_vanity_before_taken_apart.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-3073" class="size-full wp-image-3073 " src="/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/stain_bathroom_vanity_before_taken_apart.jpg" alt="stain_bathroom_vanity_before_taken_apart" width="384" height="512" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/stain_bathroom_vanity_before_taken_apart.jpg 384w, /wp-content/uploads/2014/03/stain_bathroom_vanity_before_taken_apart-225x300.jpg 225w" sizes="(max-width: 384px) 100vw, 384px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-3073" class="wp-caption-text">Countertop cleared – bathroom is ready to begin its transformation into a work zone.</p></div> <p>Any wood trims around the base of the vanity should come off, too. Oh, and label each one with its location.</p> <div id="attachment_3072" style="width: 522px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/stain_bathroom_vanity_remove_wood_trims.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-3072" class="size-full wp-image-3072 " src="/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/stain_bathroom_vanity_remove_wood_trims.jpg" alt="stain_bathroom_vanity_remove_wood_trims" width="512" height="384" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/stain_bathroom_vanity_remove_wood_trims.jpg 512w, /wp-content/uploads/2014/03/stain_bathroom_vanity_remove_wood_trims-300x225.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-3072" class="wp-caption-text">Labeling your trim pieces is the <em>best</em> thing you can do for yourself. Don’t ask me how I know this.</p></div> <h1>Step 2: Sanding the vanity</h1> <p>Okay, the first <em>real</em> step here is to put on the goggles, dust mask, and ear plugs. Sanding kicks up a ton of dust and it all goes straight into your eyeballs and lungs if you don’t properly gear up first.</p> <div id="attachment_3071" style="width: 298px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/dust_mask_goggles_staining_a_vanity.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-3071" class=" wp-image-3071 " src="/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/dust_mask_goggles_staining_a_vanity.jpg" alt="dust_mask_goggles_staining_a_vanity" width="288" height="263" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/dust_mask_goggles_staining_a_vanity.jpg 480w, /wp-content/uploads/2014/03/dust_mask_goggles_staining_a_vanity-300x274.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 288px) 100vw, 288px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-3071" class="wp-caption-text">Lookin’ chic!</p></div> <p>My corner sander is equipped with 100 grit sandpaper. It took about an hour to sand off the thin layer of clear shininess that currently covers the vanity. Fortunately, the existing varnish (or whatever it was) wasn’t too thick and sanded right off. Corner sanders are great for small projects and tight corners, but if I do another wood staining project I’m going to invest in a circular sander to speed up this process.</p> <div id="attachment_3069" style="width: 522px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/stain_bathroom_vanity_corner_sander.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-3069" class="size-full wp-image-3069 " src="/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/stain_bathroom_vanity_corner_sander.jpg" alt="stain_bathroom_vanity_corner_sander" width="512" height="384" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/stain_bathroom_vanity_corner_sander.jpg 512w, /wp-content/uploads/2014/03/stain_bathroom_vanity_corner_sander-300x225.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-3069" class="wp-caption-text">Corner sander ENGAGE!</p></div> <p> </p> <p>Go ’round in circles and get all that shiny layer off. Be sure to get the corners and edges, too. For that narrow area above the faux drawers I rubbed a small roll of sandpaper left/right. The doors were detached and sanded separately (I sat on the floor and sanded them in my lap).</p> <p> </p> <div id="attachment_3070" style="width: 522px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/stain_bathroom_sanding_corner_sander.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-3070" class="size-full wp-image-3070 " src="/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/stain_bathroom_sanding_corner_sander.jpg" alt="stain_bathroom_sanding_corner_sander" width="512" height="384" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/stain_bathroom_sanding_corner_sander.jpg 512w, /wp-content/uploads/2014/03/stain_bathroom_sanding_corner_sander-300x225.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-3070" class="wp-caption-text">Sanding my vanity’s faux drawers</p></div> <p> </p> <p>When you’re done sanding vacuum the area clean with a shop vac and the brush attachment. Consider wiping everything down with a wet rag, too. Getting all the dust out of the room is just a good practice – you don’t want the debris getting mixed into your stain.</p> <h1>Step 3: Painter’s tape</h1> <p>If your vanity touches walls or floors that you care about, a few strips of painter’s tape will protect those things. Wipe off any remaining sanding dust before sticking tape to the surrounding walls, interior, and floor.</p> <p><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/painters_tape_staining_vanity.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-3083 aligncenter" src="/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/painters_tape_staining_vanity.jpg" alt="painters_tape_staining_vanity" width="512" height="384" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/painters_tape_staining_vanity.jpg 512w, /wp-content/uploads/2014/03/painters_tape_staining_vanity-300x225.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px" /></a></p> <h1>Step 4: Prepping with Pre-Conditioner</h1> <p>I didn’t do a side-by-side to test if this “pre-stain wood conditioner” stuff actually makes a difference, but at $7 a can I figured I’d get it since it was recommended by the how-to guides I consulted before starting this project. Using it is straightforward: open the can, dip a paper towel in, and smear it all over the wood you’ll be staining. You’re supposed to apply stain within 2 hours of applying the pre-stain, so don’t do this step and then go to bed or something.</p> <div id="attachment_3074" style="width: 522px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/pre_stain_wood_conditioner.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-3074" class="size-full wp-image-3074 " src="/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/pre_stain_wood_conditioner.jpg" alt="pre_stain_wood_conditioner" width="512" height="384" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/pre_stain_wood_conditioner.jpg 512w, /wp-content/uploads/2014/03/pre_stain_wood_conditioner-300x225.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-3074" class="wp-caption-text">This is the only time where “pre-staining” is a good thing.</p></div> <h1>Step 5: Mixing the Gel Stain</h1> <p>Gel stain is disgustingly thick and gelatinous, but it has to be stirred into a smoother consistency before it can be applied. I poured half the can’s contents into another container to make it easier to stir in both containers. A good old paint stick was plenty strong for cutting and stirring this goopy stuff.</p> <div id="attachment_3075" style="width: 522px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/gel_stain_walnut.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-3075" class="size-full wp-image-3075 " src="/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/gel_stain_walnut.jpg" alt="gel_stain_walnut" width="512" height="384" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/gel_stain_walnut.jpg 512w, /wp-content/uploads/2014/03/gel_stain_walnut-300x225.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-3075" class="wp-caption-text">Gel stain is goopypoopy. Many, <em>many</em> comparisons to other substances were made.</p></div> <h1>Step 6: Actually Staining Things</h1> <p>Are we staining yet? Yes, yes we are. Dip the cheesecloth or rag into the gel stain – get a small amount, no need to go nuts here because most of it’s going to get wiped back off anyway.</p> <div id="attachment_3076" style="width: 522px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/gel_stain_on_cheesecloth.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-3076" class="size-full wp-image-3076 " src="/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/gel_stain_on_cheesecloth.jpg" alt="gel_stain_on_cheesecloth" width="512" height="384" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/gel_stain_on_cheesecloth.jpg 512w, /wp-content/uploads/2014/03/gel_stain_on_cheesecloth-300x225.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-3076" class="wp-caption-text">Oh, and wear gloves. This was taken 30 seconds before my hands became chocolate colored.</p></div> <div id="attachment_3077" style="width: 522px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/gel_stain_smeared_on.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-3077" class="size-full wp-image-3077 " src="/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/gel_stain_smeared_on.jpg" alt="gel_stain_smeared_on" width="512" height="384" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/gel_stain_smeared_on.jpg 512w, /wp-content/uploads/2014/03/gel_stain_smeared_on-300x225.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-3077" class="wp-caption-text">Like a big ol’ poopstain. (Seriously, if you don’t make fun of this DIY stuff you’ll never survive it.)</p></div> <p>Go ’round and ’round in circles, then wipe in the direction of the grain.</p> <div id="attachment_3078" style="width: 522px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/stain_cabinet_door_technique.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-3078" class="wp-image-3078 size-full" src="/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/stain_cabinet_door_technique.jpg" alt="staining a bathroom vanity stain wiping technique" width="512" height="384" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/stain_cabinet_door_technique.jpg 512w, /wp-content/uploads/2014/03/stain_cabinet_door_technique-300x225.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-3078" class="wp-caption-text">Gel stain application technique: put it on heavy, smear it around around in circles and then wipe in the direction of the grain. Don’t let it pool too much in the corners and crevices.</p></div> <div id="attachment_3079" style="width: 522px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/stain_bathroom_vanity_one_coat.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-3079" class="size-full wp-image-3079 " src="/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/stain_bathroom_vanity_one_coat.jpg" alt="stain_bathroom_vanity_one_coat" width="512" height="384" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/stain_bathroom_vanity_one_coat.jpg 512w, /wp-content/uploads/2014/03/stain_bathroom_vanity_one_coat-300x225.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-3079" class="wp-caption-text">Before and after: bare vanity door on the left, one coat of Minwax gel stain in “Walnut” on the right. They look like chocolate squares. I wish they were chocolate squares.</p></div> <p style="text-align: left;">I went inside and did the same to the vanity:</p> <div id="attachment_3080" style="width: 522px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/stain_bathroom_vanity_coat_1.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-3080" class="size-full wp-image-3080 " src="/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/stain_bathroom_vanity_coat_1.jpg" alt="stain_bathroom_vanity_coat_1" width="512" height="384" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/stain_bathroom_vanity_coat_1.jpg 512w, /wp-content/uploads/2014/03/stain_bathroom_vanity_coat_1-300x225.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-3080" class="wp-caption-text">Wood vanity with one coat of Minwax gel stain in “Walnut”</p></div> <p>And that’s just the first coat. Now it needs 8 hours to dry, so I clean up for the day and take a shower. Most of the clean up is me removing gel stain from my fingers and hands, but that was easy with a little dab of mineral spirits.</p> <div id="attachment_3081" style="width: 522px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/mineral_spirits_gel_stain_cleanup.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-3081" class="size-full wp-image-3081 " src="/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/mineral_spirits_gel_stain_cleanup.jpg" alt="mineral_spirits_gel_stain_cleanup" width="512" height="384" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/mineral_spirits_gel_stain_cleanup.jpg 512w, /wp-content/uploads/2014/03/mineral_spirits_gel_stain_cleanup-300x225.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-3081" class="wp-caption-text">Mineral spirits nuke gel stain right off your flesh and doesn’t leave you dry or itching.</p></div> <p>At this point, it’s apparent that I’m going to need several coats to reach the level of darkness I desire. It’s also apparent that my wood is resisting the stain more than my paint stick, which turned into 98% dark chocolate in just one coating. I’m no wood expert – in fact, this is the first thing I’ve ever stained, so at this point it’s good to keep realistic expectations. I’m okay with wood grain showing, with a bit of unevenness (isn’t “shabby chic” in style anyway? ugh, that phrase…).</p> <h1>Step 5: Stain coat #2</h1> <p>Second stain coat went on just like the first: rub it in, wipe it off. I have to admit to being a little frustrated at this step: the second coat doesn’t look much darker than the first.</p> <div id="attachment_3082" style="width: 522px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/one_coat_vs_two_coats_stain.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-3082" class="size-full wp-image-3082 " src="/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/one_coat_vs_two_coats_stain.jpg" alt="one_coat_vs_two_coats_stain" width="512" height="384" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/one_coat_vs_two_coats_stain.jpg 512w, /wp-content/uploads/2014/03/one_coat_vs_two_coats_stain-300x225.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-3082" class="wp-caption-text">Wtf? Each coat makes a minimal difference, at best.</p></div> <h1>Step 6: Stain coats #3-6</h1> <p>A lot of staining tutorials go something like, <em>“Just two coats and you’re done, easy peasey!”</em></p> <p>Uh, yeah, my experience was more like needing <strong>6 coats total</strong>.</p> <p>I also had to wait 24 hours between coats, or else the previous stain started smearing around and wouldn’t “stick”. This project stretched out, ultimately taking me just over two weeks to complete it. Partly to blame was my own ennui and dwindling enthusiasm for the project as each coat hardly looked different than the previous. (Each coat DID make a difference, it was just a barely perceptible difference).</p> <p>I persevered and this is where it ended up after 6 coats of stain:</p> <div id="attachment_3120" style="width: 507px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/vanity_done_staining.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-3120" class="wp-image-3120" src="/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/vanity_done_staining.jpg" alt="vanity_done_staining" width="497" height="373" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/vanity_done_staining.jpg 1000w, /wp-content/uploads/2015/03/vanity_done_staining-300x225.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 497px) 100vw, 497px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-3120" class="wp-caption-text">It’s chocolate. Oh my god.</p></div> <h1>Step 7: Polyurethane: 3 coats</h1> <p>Polyurethane is just a protective clear coat that goes on over your dried stain job. I waited a full week between my last coat of stain and my first coat of polyurethane, and 24 hours between each coat of polyurethane. You can probably wait less time if you’re in a big hurry, but I wasn’t (and my Dad was in town). Compared to all those stain coats, the polyurethane step is easy.</p> <p>Just blot it on, wipe it off. I used an old sock foot as my “paintbrush”, because I hate buying brand new brushes for this kind of stuff. My sock worked fine.</p> <div id="attachment_3121" style="width: 518px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/polyurethane_coats.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-3121" class="wp-image-3121" src="/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/polyurethane_coats.jpg" alt="polyurethane_coats" width="508" height="381" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/polyurethane_coats.jpg 1000w, /wp-content/uploads/2015/03/polyurethane_coats-300x225.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 508px) 100vw, 508px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-3121" class="wp-caption-text">Polyurethane: wipe on, wipe off</p></div> <h1>Step 8: Reattaching Hardware</h1> <p>Be very careful putting your hardware back on!</p> <p>Your stain and polyurethane coats should be really durable, but it’s easy to scratch things when drills and metal hardware are involved.</p> <div id="attachment_3122" style="width: 525px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/reattach_hardware.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-3122" class="wp-image-3122" src="/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/reattach_hardware.jpg" alt="reattach_hardware" width="515" height="386" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/reattach_hardware.jpg 1000w, /wp-content/uploads/2015/03/reattach_hardware-300x225.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 515px) 100vw, 515px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-3122" class="wp-caption-text">Reattaching the cabinet hardware is easy as long as you kept track of the pieces (you put them safely in a ziplock bag, I know you did).</p></div> <h1>All Done!</h1> <p>Here it is: the newly stained bathroom vanity.</p> <div id="attachment_3123" style="width: 465px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/stained_bathroom_vanity.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-3123" class="wp-image-3123" src="/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/stained_bathroom_vanity.jpg" alt="stained_bathroom_vanity" width="455" height="607" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/stained_bathroom_vanity.jpg 750w, /wp-content/uploads/2015/03/stained_bathroom_vanity-225x300.jpg 225w" sizes="(max-width: 455px) 100vw, 455px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-3123" class="wp-caption-text">Staining complete!</p></div> <p>It’s just a humble builder cabinet, so it made for a great First Stain Project Ever.</p> <p>Obviously, there are still a lot of things I would like to update in this room. The sink faucet leaks, the sink is rusting, and the countertop is scruffy/stained, and a tiled ceramic floor would add a lot of appeal.</p> <p>But I had to finish the vanity first to be sure it was worth putting a new countertop onto (vs. replacing the vanity as well). In the spirit of not spending a fortune on this bathroom, I think I’ll be keeping the stained vanity and finding a nice granite remnant to replace the old countertop, along with an undermount sink and new faucet.</p> <h1>Helpful Tips</h1> <p><strong>Cheesecloth was not necessary and too messy. </strong>Everyone’s so excited about cheesecloth but I really hated working with it. It was flimsy and I was going through way too much of it. At $6 a bag, I felt pretty silly wasting perfectly clean and brand new cloth when I had a bin of torn socks upstairs. I switched to paper towels (for staining) and socks (for polyurethane and the last coat of stain) and everything went fine.</p> <p><strong>Carry everything in a box. </strong>Since my bathroom is pretty small, I basically had two workstations: the garage floor (for the vanity doors) and the bathroom itself (the rest of the vanity). Carrying all my supplies in a cardboard box made it easier to move from one workstation to another.</p> <div id="attachment_3119" style="width: 566px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/how_to_stain_a_vanity_supplies.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-3119" class="wp-image-3119" src="/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/how_to_stain_a_vanity_supplies.jpg" alt="how_to_stain_a_vanity_supplies" width="556" height="417" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/how_to_stain_a_vanity_supplies.jpg 1000w, /wp-content/uploads/2015/03/how_to_stain_a_vanity_supplies-300x225.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 556px) 100vw, 556px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-3119" class="wp-caption-text">Staining is messy. A box can help.</p></div> <p><strong>Wear a mitt. </strong>Staining is brutally messy and gets into your skin very quickly. I never liked wearing gloves on previous projects, but they were an absolute necessity for this staining project.</p> <div id="attachment_3124" style="width: 567px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/plastic_mitts.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-3124" class="wp-image-3124" src="/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/plastic_mitts.jpg" alt="plastic_mitts" width="557" height="418" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/plastic_mitts.jpg 1000w, /wp-content/uploads/2015/03/plastic_mitts-300x225.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 557px) 100vw, 557px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-3124" class="wp-caption-text">Cheap plastic mitts from the dollar store for the win.</p></div> <p><strong>Mineral spirits are essential.</strong> If you don’t know about awesome mineral spirits are, I’m here to tell you: they are awesome. Wiping my fingers and tools down with mineral spirits made cleanup extremely easy and fast. Stain does not come off with soap and water!</p> <p>Okay, that’s it for this staining project! I can’t say I’m eager to rush into another one quite yet, even though there are a half dozen things in my home I’d love to freshen up or change the color of… :)</p> <p>If you found this tutorial helpful, feel free to share your projects or thoughts in the comments! I always love hearing from other DIYers. :)</p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>/2014/diy-bathroom-staining-a-bathroom-vanity-gel-stain/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>5</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>DIY Kitchen Backsplash (Part 5): Grouting Backsplash Tiles</title> <link>/2013/diy-kitchen-backsplash-part-5-grouting-backsplash-tiles/</link> <comments>/2013/diy-kitchen-backsplash-part-5-grouting-backsplash-tiles/#comments</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Mandi]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Mon, 11 Nov 2013 14:00:06 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Kitchen]]></category> <category><![CDATA[DIY]]></category> <category><![CDATA[grout]]></category> <category><![CDATA[tiles]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">/?p=2404</guid> <description><![CDATA[Here are are in Part 5 of our DIY kitchen backsplash – the homestretch! In this detailed post, I’ll show you all the steps to grouting your backsplash tiles. Catch up on our DIY kitchen backsplash series through these links: Part 1 – Planning a DIY Kitchen Backsplash Part 2 – Choosing the Right Tiles for your […]]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/DIY_Tiled_Backsplash_Grouting.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-3053 aligncenter" alt="DIY Tiled Kitchen Backsplash: Part 5. How to grout your DIY kitchen backsplash. It's like spreading frosting over little glass tiles!" src="/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/DIY_Tiled_Backsplash_Grouting.jpg" width="400" height="400" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/DIY_Tiled_Backsplash_Grouting.jpg 500w, /wp-content/uploads/2013/11/DIY_Tiled_Backsplash_Grouting-150x150.jpg 150w, /wp-content/uploads/2013/11/DIY_Tiled_Backsplash_Grouting-300x300.jpg 300w, /wp-content/uploads/2013/11/DIY_Tiled_Backsplash_Grouting-120x120.jpg 120w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: left;">Here are are in <strong>Part 5</strong> of our <strong>DIY kitchen backsplash </strong>– the homestretch! In this detailed post, I’ll show you all the steps to grouting your backsplash tiles.</p> <p><em>Catch up on our DIY kitchen backsplash series through these links: </em></p> <ul> <li><a href="/2013/planning-a-kitchen-backsplash-part-1/"><strong>Part 1</strong> – Planning a DIY Kitchen Backsplash</a></li> <li><a href="/2013/diy-how-to-choose-kitchen-backsplash-tiles/"><strong>Part 2</strong> – Choosing the Right Tiles for your DIY Kitchen Backsplash</a></li> <li><a href="/2013/diy-kitchen-backsplash-supply-list/"><strong>Part 3</strong> – DIY Kitchen Backsplash Supply List</a></li> <li><a href="/2013/diy-kitchen-backsplash-part-4-installing-backsplash-tiles/"><strong>Part 4</strong> – Installing Backsplash Tiles</a></li> <li><a href="/2013/diy-kitchen-backsplash-part-5-grouting-backsplash-tiles/"><strong>Part 5</strong> – Grouting Backsplash Tiles</a> (You are here)</li> </ul> <p>The tiles have been mortared to the wall, and after 20 hours of dry time we’re ready to fill the gaps between the tiles with a non-sanded grout.</p> <p><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/grout_before_after.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-3054 aligncenter" alt="grout_before_after" src="/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/grout_before_after.jpg" width="500" height="500" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/grout_before_after.jpg 500w, /wp-content/uploads/2013/11/grout_before_after-150x150.jpg 150w, /wp-content/uploads/2013/11/grout_before_after-300x300.jpg 300w, /wp-content/uploads/2013/11/grout_before_after-120x120.jpg 120w" sizes="(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px" /></a></p> <p>Let’s get started!</p> <h1>Mixing Grout</h1> <p>Just like making mortar, making grout involves a box of grout powder from the local hardware store, water, and a bucket. We cut the box’s formula in half, figuring that our 8 sq feet of tile didn’t need 20 sq feet worth of grout. (We still had plenty left over.)</p> <blockquote><p><strong>Tip:</strong> Don’t start this step unless you have the next 4+ hours available.</p></blockquote> <p><strong>Water + non-sanded grout powder + bucket = grout.</strong> We followed the box’s instructions and mixed it up with a metal scraper. (See the <a href="/2013/11/diy-kitchen-backsplash-supply-list/">Supply List</a> for a detailed list of everything we used.)</p> <div id="attachment_2407" style="width: 522px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/grout_bucket.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-2407" class="size-full wp-image-2407 " alt="DIY Kitchen Backsplash: Mixing grout. If you can make brownies from a mix, you can make your own grout." src="/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/grout_bucket.jpg" width="512" height="384" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/grout_bucket.jpg 512w, /wp-content/uploads/2014/11/grout_bucket-300x225.jpg 300w, /wp-content/uploads/2014/11/grout_bucket-185x138.jpg 185w" sizes="(max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-2407" class="wp-caption-text">A bucket ‘o grout</p></div> <p>It’s like a thick frosting, except not delicious.</p> <h1>Applying Grout</h1> <p>Get a nice big glob of grout onto the float trowel and smear it on! <strong>Grouting is messy, tiresome business:</strong> apply it with a firm, strong arm so it <strong>squishes into the gaps between the tiles</strong>. Continue around the entire backsplash. Use your fingers to get grout into corners or places the trowel won’t fit.</p> <p>Our 8 square foot backsplash took the two of us well over an hour to get grout into every crack.</p> <blockquote><p><strong>Tip:</strong> Remember, you’re working against time here because the grout is slowly drying and hardening as you work. A sheet of plastic wrap over the grout bucket can help slow the drying. If you have a very large area to grout, consider working in phases or getting more helpers.</p></blockquote> <div id="attachment_2408" style="width: 522px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/spread_grout_2.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-2408" class="size-full wp-image-2408 " alt="DIY kitchen backsplash: spreading wet grout over tiles." src="/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/spread_grout_2.jpg" width="512" height="384" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/spread_grout_2.jpg 512w, /wp-content/uploads/2014/11/spread_grout_2-300x225.jpg 300w, /wp-content/uploads/2014/11/spread_grout_2-185x138.jpg 185w" sizes="(max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-2408" class="wp-caption-text">It began with a glob of grout.</p></div> <p>I used my fingers to stuff grout into the corner where the tiles meet..</p> <div id="attachment_2429" style="width: 522px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/grouting_corner.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-2429" class="size-full wp-image-2429 " alt="DIY kitchen backsplash: grouting the corner where the tiles meet." src="/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/grouting_corner.jpg" width="512" height="384" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/grouting_corner.jpg 512w, /wp-content/uploads/2014/11/grouting_corner-300x225.jpg 300w, /wp-content/uploads/2014/11/grouting_corner-185x138.jpg 185w" sizes="(max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-2429" class="wp-caption-text">Fingers are useful for getting grout into tight areas, such as corners.</p></div> <p>…as well as into the tight area behind the faucet:</p> <div id="attachment_2430" style="width: 522px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/fingers_grout_gaps.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-2430" class="size-full wp-image-2430 " alt="DIY kitchen backsplash: spreading grout into tiny cracks using my own fingers." src="/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/fingers_grout_gaps.jpg" width="512" height="384" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/fingers_grout_gaps.jpg 512w, /wp-content/uploads/2014/11/fingers_grout_gaps-300x225.jpg 300w, /wp-content/uploads/2014/11/fingers_grout_gaps-185x138.jpg 185w" sizes="(max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-2430" class="wp-caption-text">Fingers: the other home improvement tool</p></div> <h1>Cleaning Grout off Tile Faces</h1> <p>When about 75% of the cracks were filled, my helper switched to using a moist sponge to wipe grout off tile faces as I continued applying grout to un-grouted areas.</p> <blockquote><p><strong>Tip:</strong> Go slowly and use a moist, not a wet sponge. Remove grout in layers. If the grout in the cracks starts to flow out of the cracks when it gets wet, wait 10 minutes before trying this step again.</p></blockquote> <div id="attachment_2410" style="width: 522px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/sponge_haze.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-2410" class="size-full wp-image-2410 " alt="DIY kitchen backsplash: wipe grout off tile faces using a moist sponge." src="/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/sponge_haze.jpg" width="512" height="384" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/sponge_haze.jpg 512w, /wp-content/uploads/2014/11/sponge_haze-300x225.jpg 300w, /wp-content/uploads/2014/11/sponge_haze-185x138.jpg 185w" sizes="(max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-2410" class="wp-caption-text">Using a moist sponge to slough grout off tile faces</p></div> <p>Once the bulk of the grout was removed from the tile faces, I switched to using moistened paper towels to remove the final thin layers of grout from the tile faces, paying extra attention to the corners. This was tedious, careful work, but it left the tiles looking crisp.</p> <div id="attachment_2412" style="width: 522px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/grout_towel.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-2412" class="size-full wp-image-2412 " alt="DIY kitchen backsplash: remove haze from tiles using a moist paper towel." src="/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/grout_towel.jpg" width="512" height="384" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/grout_towel.jpg 512w, /wp-content/uploads/2014/11/grout_towel-300x225.jpg 300w, /wp-content/uploads/2014/11/grout_towel-185x138.jpg 185w" sizes="(max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-2412" class="wp-caption-text">Using a paper towel to remove haze and excess grout from tile faces.</p></div> <p> </p> <div id="attachment_2432" style="width: 522px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/polish-tiles.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-2432" class="size-full wp-image-2432 " alt="DIY kitchen backsplash: polish grout off the tile corners so they look nice and crisp." src="/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/polish-tiles.jpg" width="512" height="384" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/polish-tiles.jpg 512w, /wp-content/uploads/2014/11/polish-tiles-300x225.jpg 300w, /wp-content/uploads/2014/11/polish-tiles-185x138.jpg 185w" sizes="(max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-2432" class="wp-caption-text">Grout is drying as I polish the corners.</p></div> <p style="text-align: left;">Polish, polish, polish – this step is super tedious but 100% worth it. Get those corners sharp, it makes a difference!</p> <h1>Grout Drying</h1> <p>We let the grout dry for just over an hour before returning to wipe any remaining haze off the tile fronts. The grout now has to dry for three days before applying a coat of sealer.</p> <div id="attachment_2433" style="width: 522px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/kitchen_mess.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-2433" class="size-full wp-image-2433 " alt="DIY kitchen backsplash: another home improvement project, another mess! (Good thing we have Cheez-It!)" src="/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/kitchen_mess.jpg" width="512" height="384" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/kitchen_mess.jpg 512w, /wp-content/uploads/2014/11/kitchen_mess-300x225.jpg 300w, /wp-content/uploads/2014/11/kitchen_mess-185x138.jpg 185w" sizes="(max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-2433" class="wp-caption-text">Grouting’s done, but there’s still an hour of clean up work to do.</p></div> <div id="attachment_2427" style="width: 522px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/grouted.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-2427" class="size-full wp-image-2427 " alt="DIY kitchen backsplash: Our 6" backsplash, freshly grouted and looking sharp." src="/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/grouted.jpg" width="512" height="384" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/grouted.jpg 512w, /wp-content/uploads/2014/11/grouted-300x225.jpg 300w, /wp-content/uploads/2014/11/grouted-185x138.jpg 185w" sizes="(max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-2427" class="wp-caption-text">Here’s how one of the backsplash edges turned out .</p></div> <div id="attachment_2428" style="width: 522px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/diy_grout_kitchen.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-2428" class="size-full wp-image-2428 " alt="DIY kitchen backsplash: complete! " src="/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/diy_grout_kitchen.jpg" width="512" height="384" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/diy_grout_kitchen.jpg 512w, /wp-content/uploads/2014/11/diy_grout_kitchen-300x225.jpg 300w, /wp-content/uploads/2014/11/diy_grout_kitchen-185x138.jpg 185w" sizes="(max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-2428" class="wp-caption-text">Kitchen cleaned up and looking sharp as the grout dries!</p></div> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>/2013/diy-kitchen-backsplash-part-5-grouting-backsplash-tiles/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>3</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>Yardmageddon 2013: Part 1 – The Landscaping Death March</title> <link>/2013/yardmageddon-2013/</link> <comments>/2013/yardmageddon-2013/#comments</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Mandi]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Mon, 20 May 2013 03:55:06 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Landscaping]]></category> <category><![CDATA[DIY]]></category> <category><![CDATA[planting]]></category> <category><![CDATA[shrubs]]></category> <category><![CDATA[yard]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">/?p=1037</guid> <description><![CDATA[THE MISSION: De-fugly this backyard! THE FUEL: Factory Donuts! THE FULL DISCLOSURE: We’ve never planted anything before. We have no idea what we’re doing outside of a few hours of web research on this topic. We kicked off Saturday with some early morning planning in the backyard. Here I’ve used bricks and spigot covers to […]]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>THE MISSION: </strong> De-fugly this backyard!</p> <p><a href="/2013/05/yardmageddon-2013/yardtrim_after3-2/" rel="attachment wp-att-1039"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1039" alt="YardTrim_After3" src="/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/YardTrim_After31.jpg" width="512" height="384" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/YardTrim_After31.jpg 512w, /wp-content/uploads/2013/05/YardTrim_After31-300x225.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px" /></a></p> <p><strong>THE FUEL: </strong> Factory Donuts!</p> <p><a href="/2013/05/yardmageddon-2013/saturdayyard_fuel/" rel="attachment wp-att-1038"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1038" alt="SaturdayYard_Fuel" src="/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/SaturdayYard_Fuel.jpg" width="384" height="512" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/SaturdayYard_Fuel.jpg 384w, /wp-content/uploads/2013/05/SaturdayYard_Fuel-225x300.jpg 225w" sizes="(max-width: 384px) 100vw, 384px" /></a></p> <p><strong>THE FULL DISCLOSURE: </strong> We’ve never planted anything before. We have no idea what we’re doing outside of a few hours of web research on this topic.</p> <p>We kicked off Saturday with some early morning planning in the backyard. Here I’ve used bricks and spigot covers to demonstrate where the arborvitaes might go.</p> <p><a href="/2013/05/yardmageddon-2013/saturdayyard_mockup/" rel="attachment wp-att-1040"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1040" alt="SaturdayYard_Mockup" src="/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/SaturdayYard_Mockup.jpg" width="512" height="384" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/SaturdayYard_Mockup.jpg 512w, /wp-content/uploads/2013/05/SaturdayYard_Mockup-300x225.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px" /></a></p> <p>I later revised this down from six to three for these reasons:</p> <p>1) They were too close together (I decided putting them a full 3 feet apart was better)</p> <p>2) Planting six is gonna be hella grueling</p> <p>The mockup was still a good idea though because it gave us a much better sense of where the trees will go. It also helped me illustrate it to my husband better than pointing “over there” ever could. With the number determined, we drove to <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/factory-donuts-kirkland">Factory Donuts</a> for OMG BEST DONUTS EVER and then drove to <a href="http://www.molbaks.com/">Molbak’s in Woodinville</a> for three arborvitaes. They keep their arborvitaes in the dirt until sold, which is different from how Home Depot packs them tight crowds of potted plants. I don’t know much about plants, but it seems like the arborvitaes that came out of the dirt would be better than the ones sitting in pots. I hope it’s worth the $20 or so more per plant that Molbak’s wants (Home Depot $25 each, Molbak’s $45 each) .</p> <p>These trees are HEAVY! Fortunately, Molbak’s is well staffed with tough guys ready to toss trees into hatchbacks the way I might toss a hamburger wrapper. Obligatory Subie action shot:</p> <p><a href="/2013/05/yardmageddon-2013/saturdayyard_arborvitaes/" rel="attachment wp-att-1041"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1041" alt="SaturdayYard_Arborvitaes" src="/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/SaturdayYard_Arborvitaes.jpg" width="384" height="512" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/SaturdayYard_Arborvitaes.jpg 384w, /wp-content/uploads/2013/05/SaturdayYard_Arborvitaes-225x300.jpg 225w" sizes="(max-width: 384px) 100vw, 384px" /></a></p> <p>And we’re done, check it out!</p> <p><a href="/2013/05/yardmageddon-2013/saturdayyard_mockup2/" rel="attachment wp-att-1042"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1042" alt="SaturdayYard_Mockup2" src="/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/SaturdayYard_Mockup2.jpg" width="512" height="384" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/SaturdayYard_Mockup2.jpg 512w, /wp-content/uploads/2013/05/SaturdayYard_Mockup2-300x225.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px" /></a></p> <p>Lol, just kidding. <del>We</del> Jim actually had 45 minutes of back breaking digging ahead of <del>us</del> him. (Stay in school, kids, digging holes sucks ass.) BTW, ignore the holes closer to the fence corner. We dug there first and found too many roots, prompting us to change our placement plans.</p> <p><a href="/2013/05/yardmageddon-2013/saturdayyard_holesdug/" rel="attachment wp-att-1043"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1043" alt="SaturdayYard_HolesDug" src="/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/SaturdayYard_HolesDug.jpg" width="384" height="512" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/SaturdayYard_HolesDug.jpg 384w, /wp-content/uploads/2013/05/SaturdayYard_HolesDug-225x300.jpg 225w" sizes="(max-width: 384px) 100vw, 384px" /></a></p> <p>We dug the holes to be about twice the volume of the arborvitae root ball and lined them with several inches of a mixture of fresh garden soil and compost. Garden soil and compost were separate bags, and we mixed them at roughly a 2:1 ratio of garden soil:compost. We didn’t get too pedantic about measurements – it’s just dirt, after all. Once lined, we dropped the trees into the holes and packed more soil and compost all around followed by a 1″ thick layer of mulch all around.</p> <p><a href="/2013/05/yardmageddon-2013/saturdayyard_holedug/" rel="attachment wp-att-1044"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1044" alt="SaturdayYard_HoleDug" src="/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/SaturdayYard_HoleDug.jpg" width="384" height="512" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/SaturdayYard_HoleDug.jpg 384w, /wp-content/uploads/2013/05/SaturdayYard_HoleDug-225x300.jpg 225w" sizes="(max-width: 384px) 100vw, 384px" /></a></p> <p>Repeat x3 times and you have:</p> <p><a href="/2013/05/yardmageddon-2013/saturdayyard_treesplanted/" rel="attachment wp-att-1045"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1045" alt="SaturdayYard_TreesPlanted" src="/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/SaturdayYard_TreesPlanted.jpg" width="512" height="384" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/SaturdayYard_TreesPlanted.jpg 512w, /wp-content/uploads/2013/05/SaturdayYard_TreesPlanted-300x225.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px" /></a></p> <p>High on success and packed with donuts, it was at this precise moment that I went<strong> COMPLETELY. INSANE.</strong></p> <p>I ran off to Home Depot and Molbak’s to purchase a half dozen more plants to place all around the yard, another shovel, a ton of mulch and more dirt. Here is just some of what two motivated people can accomplish in a brutal weekend long yard work marathon.</p> <p><strong>Side of house, before:</strong></p> <p><a href="/2013/05/yardmageddon-2013/satyard_beforeside/" rel="attachment wp-att-1047"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1047" alt="SatYard_BeforeSide" src="/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/SatYard_BeforeSide.jpg" width="384" height="512" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/SatYard_BeforeSide.jpg 384w, /wp-content/uploads/2013/05/SatYard_BeforeSide-225x300.jpg 225w" sizes="(max-width: 384px) 100vw, 384px" /></a></p> <p><strong>Side of house, after </strong></p> <ul> <li>(I forgot the name of this evergreen, I’ll put it in here when I figure it out)<strong>:</strong></li> </ul> <p><a href="/2013/05/yardmageddon-2013/satyard_afterside/" rel="attachment wp-att-1046"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1046" alt="SatYard_AfterSide" src="/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/SatYard_AfterSide.jpg" width="512" height="384" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/SatYard_AfterSide.jpg 512w, /wp-content/uploads/2013/05/SatYard_AfterSide-300x225.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px" /></a></p> <p><strong>Front yard, before:<br /> </strong></p> <p><a href="/2013/05/yardmageddon-2013/satyard_frontbefore/" rel="attachment wp-att-1049"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1049" alt="SatYard_FrontBefore" src="/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/SatYard_FrontBefore.jpg" width="384" height="512" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/SatYard_FrontBefore.jpg 384w, /wp-content/uploads/2013/05/SatYard_FrontBefore-225x300.jpg 225w" sizes="(max-width: 384px) 100vw, 384px" /></a></p> <p><strong>Front yard, after:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Blue Chip Juniper in mound</li> <li>Yedda Hawthorne to the right of stairs</li> <li>Hetz Midget Arborvitae x 2 in pots by stairs (not yet planted in this shot)</li> <li>Hosta (we nicknamed it The Buddy when we planted it a few weeks ago)</li> </ul> <p><a href="/2013/05/yardmageddon-2013/satyard_frontafter/" rel="attachment wp-att-1048"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter" alt="SatYard_FrontAfter" src="/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/SatYard_FrontAfter.jpg" width="512" height="384" /></a></p> <p>Also: Sami Salmon</p> <p><a href="/2013/05/yardmageddon-2013/samisalmon/" rel="attachment wp-att-1052"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1052" alt="SamiSalmon" src="/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/SamiSalmon.jpg" width="384" height="512" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/SamiSalmon.jpg 384w, /wp-content/uploads/2013/05/SamiSalmon-225x300.jpg 225w" sizes="(max-width: 384px) 100vw, 384px" /></a></p> <p><strong>Garage/fence corner, after:</strong></p> <p>This area was formerly an old stump and a ton of weeds. MOST IMPROVED AWARD!</p> <ul> <li>Degroot Emerald Spire is the biggie plant, the rest are annual accent flowers that will probably look like crap in 3 months</li> </ul> <p><a href="/2013/05/yardmageddon-2013/frontyard_potted/" rel="attachment wp-att-1050"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1050" alt="FrontYard_Potted" src="/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/FrontYard_Potted.jpg" width="384" height="512" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/FrontYard_Potted.jpg 384w, /wp-content/uploads/2013/05/FrontYard_Potted-225x300.jpg 225w" sizes="(max-width: 384px) 100vw, 384px" /></a></p> <p><strong>Back deck:</strong></p> <p>Formerly empty, now home to a menagerie of potted plants and yet-to-be-potted plants.</p> <p><strong><a href="/2013/05/yardmageddon-2013/satyard_pottedplants/" rel="attachment wp-att-1051"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1051" alt="SatYard_PottedPlants" src="/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/SatYard_PottedPlants.jpg" width="384" height="512" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/SatYard_PottedPlants.jpg 384w, /wp-content/uploads/2013/05/SatYard_PottedPlants-225x300.jpg 225w" sizes="(max-width: 384px) 100vw, 384px" /></a></strong></p> <p><strong>Front yard, by utility pole:</strong></p> <p>I pulled out a ton of weeds and planted this cute yellow/green shrub.</p> <p><a href="/2013/05/yardmageddon-2013/satyard_bycorner/" rel="attachment wp-att-1053"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1053" alt="SatYard_ByCorner" src="/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/SatYard_ByCorner.jpg" width="384" height="512" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/SatYard_ByCorner.jpg 384w, /wp-content/uploads/2013/05/SatYard_ByCorner-225x300.jpg 225w" sizes="(max-width: 384px) 100vw, 384px" /></a></p> <p><strong>Many places:</strong></p> <p>I planted several instances of this stuff from Home Depot, which is supposed to spread like creep all over the place and choke out things like grass and weeds, making a low maintenance ground-cover. Curious to see if it actually works…</p> <p><a href="/2013/05/yardmageddon-2013/satyard_creep/" rel="attachment wp-att-1057"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1057" alt="SatYard_Creep" src="/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/SatYard_Creep.jpg" width="384" height="512" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/SatYard_Creep.jpg 384w, /wp-content/uploads/2013/05/SatYard_Creep-225x300.jpg 225w" sizes="(max-width: 384px) 100vw, 384px" /></a></p> <p>Amazingly, this isn’t even all of it. After posting this I realized I missed at least three more plants, and there are a few more left to plant before we can truly call this done. From here, we water daily and hope this stuff takes root. All in all, this wasn’t a bad first plant-something-in-the-ground experience, although it did take all weekend and we are both completely exhausted.</p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>/2013/yardmageddon-2013/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>2</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>DIY Toilet Replacement</title> <link>/2013/diy-toilet-replacement/</link> <comments>/2013/diy-toilet-replacement/#comments</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Mandi]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Sat, 04 May 2013 21:02:09 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Home Improvement]]></category> <category><![CDATA[DIY]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Toilet]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">/?p=994</guid> <description><![CDATA[DIY toilet replacement is a very simple project, and it shouldn’t intimidate anyone with a couple of wrenches and about 2 hours of time. (Oh, and you’ll need to be strong enough to lift a toilet and carry it to where it needs to go.) I won’t go into too much detail since the process […]]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>DIY toilet replacement is a very simple project, and it shouldn’t intimidate anyone with a couple of wrenches and about 2 hours of time. (Oh, and you’ll need to be strong enough to lift a toilet and carry it to where it needs to go.)</p> <p>I won’t go into too much detail since the process of removing and installing a toilet is <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_hVZ3rPzm4">so well-documented on the web</a>. This video gets a link because it covers the whole process in just 3 minutes, while every other video I found wanted me to commit 9 whole minutes of my life to this crap.</p> <h1>Removing the Existing Toilet</h1> <p>Here is our old toilet, guilty of many crimes including incontinence (it leaks water at its base), and creating intolerable levels of drama when attempting to flush loads of “a respectable size”.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="/2013/05/we-replaced-a-toilet/toilet_1/" rel="attachment wp-att-995"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-995" alt="DIY toilet replacement" src="/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Toilet_1.jpg" width="384" height="512" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Toilet_1.jpg 384w, /wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Toilet_1-225x300.jpg 225w" sizes="(max-width: 384px) 100vw, 384px" /></a></p> <h1>Toilet Removal Steps</h1> <p>Removing a toilet is easy and fun.</p> <ol> <li>Turn off the water supply at the wall</li> <li>Flush it to get rid of the water in the bowl and the tank</li> <li>Disconnect water supply from toilet</li> <li>Use a big towel to mop out any water remaining in the bowl</li> <li>Remove the caps at its base to expose the screws/nuts holding it to the floor</li> <li>Unscrew the nuts</li> <li>Lift toilet! You’re free now, toilet! (We put ours on a towel in the next room)</li> </ol> <h1>Overreact to Wax Ring</h1> <p>EWWW GROSS! (I don’t think poo actually touches the ring, but it’s fun to pretend.)</p> <p>Our wax ring was basically a wax pancake. We’re lucky our toilet leaks weren’t floods:</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="/2013/05/we-replaced-a-toilet/toilet2/" rel="attachment wp-att-996"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-996" alt="DIY toilet replacement" src="/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Toilet2.jpg" width="384" height="512" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Toilet2.jpg 384w, /wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Toilet2-225x300.jpg 225w" sizes="(max-width: 384px) 100vw, 384px" /></a></p> <h1>Remove Wax Ring</h1> <p><em>…with your bare hands!</em> Just kidding, use a tool for god’s sake.</p> <p>Here I am scraping off all the old wax, which is the bestest most awesome job in the entire world:</p> <div id="attachment_997" style="width: 522px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="/2013/05/we-replaced-a-toilet/toilet_3/" rel="attachment wp-att-997"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-997" class="size-full wp-image-997 " alt="DIY toilet replacement" src="/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Toilet_3.jpg" width="512" height="384" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Toilet_3.jpg 512w, /wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Toilet_3-300x225.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-997" class="wp-caption-text">Yes, I have cat pajamas, look upon me and despair.</p></div> <h1>New Wax Ring</h1> <p>Here’s the plump new wax ring ready to receive new potty. Lift the potty and place it squarely on the ring. Rock the toilet a bit and sit on it to squish it down.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="/2013/05/we-replaced-a-toilet/toilet_4/" rel="attachment wp-att-998"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-998" alt="DIY toilet replacement" src="/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Toilet_4.jpg" width="384" height="512" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Toilet_4.jpg 384w, /wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Toilet_4-225x300.jpg 225w" sizes="(max-width: 384px) 100vw, 384px" /></a></p> <h1>Filling the New Toilet with Water</h1> <p><strong>Connect the water supply to the toilet.</strong> This might be a good time to switch to a braided water supply if your old one is a metal pipe.</p> <p><strong>Turn the water supply on and let the tank fill.</strong> You can adjust the water level inside the tank by adjusting how high the float is allowed to go (your toilet may vary).</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="/2013/05/we-replaced-a-toilet/toilet_5/" rel="attachment wp-att-999"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-999" alt="DIY toilet replacement" src="/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Toilet_5.jpg" width="384" height="512" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Toilet_5.jpg 384w, /wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Toilet_5-225x300.jpg 225w" sizes="(max-width: 384px) 100vw, 384px" /></a></p> <h1>The Maiden Flush</h1> <p>Am I the only person who half-expects the toilet to explode on the first flush? :D</p> <p>All done – a new toilet, installed all by ourselves! DIY toilet replacement is fun for the whole family.</p> <div id="attachment_1000" style="width: 394px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="/2013/05/we-replaced-a-toilet/toilet_6/" rel="attachment wp-att-1000"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1000" class="size-full wp-image-1000 " alt="DIY toilet replacement" src="/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Toilet_6.jpg" width="384" height="512" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Toilet_6.jpg 384w, /wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Toilet_6-225x300.jpg 225w" sizes="(max-width: 384px) 100vw, 384px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-1000" class="wp-caption-text">Can you believe Home Depot charges $120 to replace a toilet? Wow.</p></div> <h1>Disposing of the Old Toilet</h1> <p>Good luck.</p> <p>Our local garbage pickup here won’t take them. The annual recycling event takes them, but … we missed it by a weekend. Your options are basically: smash it inside a garbage bag, haul it to the dump yourself, pay someone to take it.</p> <p><strong>Update:</strong> This particular toilet lived in our computer room for two months until we paid the guys who hauled out the deck debris to take the toilet, too. They were surprisingly happy to take the toilet off our hands.</p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>/2013/diy-toilet-replacement/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>2</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>Jim’s Very Tall DIY Standing Desk</title> <link>/2013/jims-stand-up-desk-part-1/</link> <comments>/2013/jims-stand-up-desk-part-1/#comments</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Mandi]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Sat, 04 May 2013 20:18:55 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Home Improvement]]></category> <category><![CDATA[DIY]]></category> <category><![CDATA[office]]></category> <category><![CDATA[stand up desk]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">/?p=964</guid> <description><![CDATA[At 6’4″, my husband Jim is too tall for most commercial standing desk designs. And at $1500+, most commercial standing desks are too expensive for our budget. The solution was obvious: build our own extra tall DIY standing desk! We’re definitely not carpenters, but this simple DIY standing desk design should be doable by anyone […]]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>At 6’4″, my husband Jim is too tall for most commercial standing desk designs. And at $1500+, most commercial standing desks are too expensive for our budget.</p> <p><strong>The solution was obvious: build our own extra tall DIY standing desk!</strong> We’re definitely not carpenters, but this simple DIY standing desk design should be doable by anyone with a decent plan and a saw (for home cutting – many stores that sell lumber will also cut the boards for you). <a href="http://wp.me/p3DTBN-cD">My diy standing desk</a> was easier than this one thanks to IKEA’s VIKA BYSKE legs being able to extend to just the right height for me (my desk is 42″ tall).</p> <p>But Jim’s desk needed to be 46″ tall – and those 4″ were tough to figure out. The VIKA BYSKE legs only go to 42″. We were stuck here for several weeks as we considered various designs, but the ultimate solution was actually very cheap and simple: <strong>bed risers! </strong>A <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003TPY6EE/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B003TPY6EE&linkCode=as2&tag=leveluphouse-20">$20 set of heavy duty bed risers from Amazon</a> gave us the 4″ we needed.</p> <p><strong>Wondering how to determine the right height for your own standing desk?</strong> It’s easy: stand up normally and bend your elbows at a 90 degree angle (as if you’re using an invisible keyboard right in front of you). The distance between the floor and your elbow, minus an inch or two, is the ideal height of your standing desk.</p> <h1>DIY Standing Desk Parts Shopping</h1> <p>Here’s what we bought for this very large DIY standing desk:</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/tall_diy_standing_desk_part.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-2424" alt="tall diy standing desk parts how to build ikea parts " src="/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/tall_diy_standing_desk_part.jpg" width="512" height="512" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/tall_diy_standing_desk_part.jpg 512w, /wp-content/uploads/2013/05/tall_diy_standing_desk_part-150x150.jpg 150w, /wp-content/uploads/2013/05/tall_diy_standing_desk_part-300x300.jpg 300w, /wp-content/uploads/2013/05/tall_diy_standing_desk_part-185x185.jpg 185w, /wp-content/uploads/2013/05/tall_diy_standing_desk_part-120x120.jpg 120w" sizes="(max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px" /></a></p> <h2><strong>IKEA </strong></h2> <p><strong></strong>From IKEA, we got a <strong>GALANT table corner piece</strong> and <strong>two rounded ends</strong>. The GALANT table comes in at least four colors and several configurations, so you can get whatever combo of pieces works best for your space. We also got <strong>4 VIKA BYSKE extension legs </strong>– these are the only legs IKEA sells that go to 42″.</p> <p>We like GALANT because it’s huge and because mine’s been very durable.</p> <h2><b>Amazon.com</b></h2> <p>To get the remaining 4″ of height we needed, we bought one set of these <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003TPY6EE/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B003TPY6EE&linkCode=as2&tag=leveluphouse-20" rel="nofollow">these heavy duty $20 bed risers</a>. <em>(<strong>Update:</strong> 8 months later, I’m pleased to report the bed risers have held up perfectly. No cracks or problems!)</em></p> <div id="attachment_2417" style="width: 310px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003TPY6EE/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B003TPY6EE&linkCode=as2&tag=leveluphouse-20" rel="nofollow"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-2417" class="size-medium wp-image-2417 " alt="diy tall standing desk use bed risers to get legs tall enough" src="/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/bed_risers-300x259.jpg" width="300" height="259" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/bed_risers-300x259.jpg 300w, /wp-content/uploads/2013/05/bed_risers-1024x886.jpg 1024w, /wp-content/uploads/2013/05/bed_risers-185x160.jpg 185w, /wp-content/uploads/2013/05/bed_risers.jpg 1077w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-2417" class="wp-caption-text">Heavy duty bed risers from Amazon.com added the height that the VIKA BYSKE legs fell a little short on</p></div> <h2><b>Hardware Store</b></h2> <p>We purchased 18 feet of <strong>plain, flat narrow boards 3/4” thick and 5” wide.</strong></p> <p>The boards are for building a supportive network on the underside of the desk, since we won’t be using the metal frame IKEA sells. The legs and wall brackets will attach to these boards.</p> <blockquote><p>Why not use the IKEA frame? Well, we need flexibility on the leg positioning and we also need something to anchor the wall brackets to, and a metal frame would get in the way.</p></blockquote> <h1><strong>Assembling the Desk</strong></h1> <p>The circular saw made short work of the boards (The Home Depot is able to cut for you in the store if you lack the tools or confidence with a saw).</p> <p><strong>Below:</strong> laying out the support network on the desk’s underside.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="/2013/05/jims-stand-up-desk-part-1/jimstandupdesk_1/" rel="attachment wp-att-965"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-965" alt="diy stand up desk support network of boards" src="/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/JimStandupDesk_1.jpg" width="512" height="384" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/JimStandupDesk_1.jpg 512w, /wp-content/uploads/2013/05/JimStandupDesk_1-300x225.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px" /></a></p> <p>Since this desk is going to be heavy and awkward once assembled, <strong>we built it in the room we’d be using it in. </strong></p> <p>Fastening the support boards to the desk was surprisingly straightforward: first, drill a “pilot hole” through the board and into the desk (<strong>be sure your screw isn’t long enough to poke out the top side of the desk</strong>). The pilot hole helps prevent the screw from changing course as you’re screwing it in. Line up a screw and screw the board to the desk surface (also using the drill – yes, you’ll swap bits a lot unless you have two drills). We just worked our way from one end of the desk to the other.</p> <p>For our desk’s thickness, we used one 30 count box of the 1 1/4” screws pictured below.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="/2013/05/jims-stand-up-desk-part-1/spax114/" rel="attachment wp-att-969"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-969" alt="spax construction screws for stand up desk" src="/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Spax114.jpg" width="512" height="384" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Spax114.jpg 512w, /wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Spax114-300x225.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px" /></a></p> <p>They look like this from underneath:</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="/2013/05/jims-stand-up-desk-part-1/jimstandupdesk_3/" rel="attachment wp-att-970"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-970" alt="assembling stand up desk" src="/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/JimStandupDesk_3.jpg" width="512" height="384" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/JimStandupDesk_3.jpg 512w, /wp-content/uploads/2013/05/JimStandupDesk_3-300x225.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px" /></a></p> <p><b>Next, </b>we attached the four VIKA BYSKE legs to the desk and stood it up. We’ll re-configure the legs later, once the desk is anchored to the wall.</p> <h1>Testing the Desk</h1> <p>It’s wobbly, but it’s usable. Jim’s going to try it out and we’ll probably adjust it a few times before we permanently anchor it to the walls.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="/2013/05/jims-stand-up-desk-part-1/jimstandupdesk_2/" rel="attachment wp-att-966"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-966" alt="testing big stand up desk" src="/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/JimStandupDesk_2.jpg" width="512" height="384" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/JimStandupDesk_2.jpg 512w, /wp-content/uploads/2013/05/JimStandupDesk_2-300x225.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px" /></a></p> <p>Here’s Jim at his new desk!</p> <p><a href="/2013/05/jims-stand-up-desk-part-1/jimstandupdesk_4/" rel="attachment wp-att-971"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-971" alt="JimStandupDesk_4" src="/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/JimStandupDesk_4.jpg" width="384" height="512" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/JimStandupDesk_4.jpg 384w, /wp-content/uploads/2013/05/JimStandupDesk_4-225x300.jpg 225w" sizes="(max-width: 384px) 100vw, 384px" /></a></p> <h1>Wait, what about a chair?</h1> <p>You’re right, even standing desk aficionados have to sit once in a while. A helpful term to search for is “drafting chair” – drafting chairs tend to rise much higher than ordinary office chairs. Before you buy a chair for your standing desk, measure as best you can where you’ll need your butt to be for your forearms to lay parallel to the desktop.</p> <p>I shopped for the right chair for a long time (over a month!) before settling on the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004I3ZRQM/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B004I3ZRQM&linkCode=as2&tag=leveluphouse-20" rel="nofollow">Boss Caressoft Drafting Stool B16425-BK</a>. This chair is great because after a year, it’s still looking brand new. The cushion didn’t develop a butt-shaped indent or wear out in the middle or anything like I’ve seen happen with other chairs. I like the back support, and I like resting my feet on the footrest ring. Best of all, this chair is tall enough for Jim to use, too, so we just share this one as it’s pretty rare for both of us to want to sit at the same time.</p> <div id="attachment_2536" style="width: 213px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004I3ZRQM/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B004I3ZRQM&linkCode=as2&tag=leveluphouse-20" rel="nofollow"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-2536" class=" wp-image-2536 " alt="best standing desk chair" src="/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/standing_desk_chair.jpg" width="203" height="307" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/standing_desk_chair.jpg 339w, /wp-content/uploads/2013/05/standing_desk_chair-198x300.jpg 198w, /wp-content/uploads/2013/05/standing_desk_chair-185x279.jpg 185w" sizes="(max-width: 203px) 100vw, 203px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-2536" class="wp-caption-text">My <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004I3ZRQM/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B004I3ZRQM&linkCode=as2&tag=leveluphouse-20" rel="nofollow">Boss Caressoft Drafting Stool</a> was about $100 at Amazon.com</p></div> <h1>More Standing Desk Options</h1> <p>For our DIY standing desks we wanted the biggest surfaces we could get- and since we own this place, we were completely free to anchor things to the wall. But if you live in an apartment or dorm room, need to be mobile, or just aren’t sure if a standing desk is for you, here are a few alternative standing desk designs you might enjoy.</p> <h2>Portable Standing Laptop Desk</h2> <p style="text-align: left;">The <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001BBNROI/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001BBNROI&linkCode=as2&tag=leveluphouse-20" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Techni Mobili Cadmus Mobile Laptop Stand</a> is the complete opposite of our gargantuan standing desks: it’s <strong>small</strong>, <strong>lightweight</strong>, <strong>portable, </strong>and, at just $42 (for cherry wood grain) and $75 (for solid black), this standing desk is <strong>crazy affordable. </strong>Well reviewed on Amazon, it’s basically a one-stop shop to a quick and easy laptop sized standing desk. I think this laptop standing desk would be awesome for a kitchen (look up recipes!) or a family room (work while the kids play!).</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Techni-Mobili-Compact-Computer-Graphite/dp/B001BBKNI6/ref=sr_1_31?ie=UTF8&qid=1385439674&sr=8-31&keywords=standing+desk">Techni Mobili also offers a slightly larger computer cart version</a> with roll-out keyboard and more shelf space.</p> <div id="attachment_2534" style="width: 179px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001BBNROI/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001BBNROI&linkCode=as2&tag=leveluphouse-20" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-2534" class=" wp-image-2534" alt="standing_desk_small" src="/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/standing_desk_small.jpg" width="169" height="368" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/standing_desk_small.jpg 469w, /wp-content/uploads/2013/05/standing_desk_small-185x402.jpg 185w" sizes="(max-width: 169px) 100vw, 169px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-2534" class="wp-caption-text"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001BBNROI/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001BBNROI&linkCode=as2&tag=leveluphouse-20" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Techni Mobili Cadmus Mobile Laptop Stand in Graphite</a> – $75 at Amazon.com</p></div> <h2>Standing Desks for Commitmentphobes</h2> <p>With 32″ x 22″ of surface space this standing desk add on earns its name, the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00E0ODMB6/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00E0ODMB6&linkCode=as2&tag=leveluphouse-20" rel="nofollow">Executive Stand Steady Standing Desk</a>. There are many choices in the “standing desk attachment” category, but the Executive stands out for being huge (it’s big enough for two monitors!) and for offering adjustable height (11.25″ – 15.25″).</p> <p>An additional 15.25 inches may not be enough for very tall people, so always measure your current desk before ordering. I really like this thing – if I hadn’t been so gung-ho about building my own, I’d have probably tried using The Executive with my existing desk.</p> <div id="attachment_2537" style="width: 308px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00E0ODMB6/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00E0ODMB6&linkCode=as2&tag=diy07a-20"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-2537" class=" wp-image-2537 " alt="DIY standing desk " src="/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/standing_desk_executive_stand.jpg" width="298" height="300" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/standing_desk_executive_stand.jpg 497w, /wp-content/uploads/2013/05/standing_desk_executive_stand-150x150.jpg 150w, /wp-content/uploads/2013/05/standing_desk_executive_stand-298x300.jpg 298w, /wp-content/uploads/2013/05/standing_desk_executive_stand-185x186.jpg 185w, /wp-content/uploads/2013/05/standing_desk_executive_stand-120x120.jpg 120w" sizes="(max-width: 298px) 100vw, 298px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-2537" class="wp-caption-text">The <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00E0ODMB6/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00E0ODMB6&linkCode=as2&tag=leveluphouse-20" rel="nofollow">Executive Stand Steady Standing Desk</a> has the largest dimensions of any product in its category <em>and</em> adjustable height.</p></div> <p>If $200 is a bit much or if 32″ x 22″ is overkill, the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0049BR35G/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0049BR35G&linkCode=as2&tag=leveluphouse-20" rel="nofollow">Speedy Standup</a> is a solid alternative to The Executive. It’s literally a miniature desk you plop down on top of your existing desk – done. The company makes both a “standard” size and a “tall” size, so be sure to measure your existing desk’s height to determine which one’s right for you.</p> <div id="attachment_2535" style="width: 266px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AFUR1GG/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00AFUR1GG&linkCode=as2&tag=leveluphouse-20" rel="nofollow"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-2535" class="size-full wp-image-2535 " alt="Speedy Standup desk best standing desk" src="/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/speedy_standing_desk.jpg" width="256" height="300" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/speedy_standing_desk.jpg 256w, /wp-content/uploads/2013/05/speedy_standing_desk-185x216.jpg 185w" sizes="(max-width: 256px) 100vw, 256px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-2535" class="wp-caption-text">Try to ignore the hilariously bad Photoshop job, the <a href="Ignoring the hilariously bad Photoshop job">Speedy Standup</a> has great reviews and a good price – just $60.</p></div> <h1>Splash Out on an Adjustable Standing Desk!</h1> <p>Electric adjustable desks typically come with a price tag somewhere between $1500 and $3000, but if you’re willing to hand-crank it you can have a all the frills of an electric adjustable desk for a fraction of the price. This <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007L6OYJE/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B007L6OYJE&linkCode=as2&tag=leveluphouse-20" rel="nofollow">adjustable standing desk by ModTable</a> can go up to 47″, which would have just barely been tall enough for a tall guy like Jim (his desk is 46″ above the floor).</p> <div id="attachment_2538" style="width: 266px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007L6OYJE/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B007L6OYJE&linkCode=as2&tag=leveluphouse-20" rel="nofollow"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-2538" class="size-full wp-image-2538" alt="adjustable standing desk affordable" src="/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/adjsutable_standup_desk.jpg" width="256" height="263" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/adjsutable_standup_desk.jpg 256w, /wp-content/uploads/2013/05/adjsutable_standup_desk-185x190.jpg 185w" sizes="(max-width: 256px) 100vw, 256px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-2538" class="wp-caption-text">This <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007L6OYJE/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B007L6OYJE&linkCode=as2&tag=leveluphouse-20" rel="nofollow">adjustable standing desks by ModTable</a> is a luxurious “best of both worlds” stand up desk.</p></div> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>/2013/jims-stand-up-desk-part-1/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>3</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>Fixing a Wobbly Standing Desk with Shelf Brackets</title> <link>/2013/fixing-a-wobbly-standing-desk-with-shelf-brackets/</link> <comments>/2013/fixing-a-wobbly-standing-desk-with-shelf-brackets/#comments</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Mandi]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Mon, 21 Jan 2013 21:20:57 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Home Improvement]]></category> <category><![CDATA[DIY]]></category> <category><![CDATA[stabilization]]></category> <category><![CDATA[standing desk]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">/?p=978</guid> <description><![CDATA[My standing desk was awesome but it was too wobbly – the whole desk shook like an earthquake every time I touched it or typed. The fix was easy: I used two heavy duty shelf brackets to anchor my standing desk to the nearby wall. The desk is rock solid now. I can give it a good […]]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>My standing desk was awesome but it was too <strong>wobbly</strong> – the whole desk shook like an earthquake every time I touched it or typed. The fix was easy: I used <strong>two heavy duty shelf brackets</strong> to anchor my standing desk to the nearby wall. The desk is <em>rock solid</em> now. I can give it a good shove and it barely moves!</p> <p>Here’s my easy guide to fixing a wobbly standing desk with shelf brackets.</p> <h1>Choosing Shelf Brackets</h1> <p>Shelf brackets come in surprisingly large variety of colors and sizes. You’ll probably want at least two brackets.</p> <p>Look for a shelf bracket design with:</p> <ul> <li><strong>90 degree angle</strong> (some are kinda… off)</li> <li><strong>A good 8″+ inches on each end</strong> (mine are 12″ x 8″) but not unnecessarily large</li> <li><strong>Heavy duty design</strong> – go rugged, leave the “pretty” shelf brackets for lightweight shelves :)</li> </ul> <div style="width: 260px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000VBIR08/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000VBIR08&linkCode=as2&tag=leveluphouse-20"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" alt="standing_desk_heavy_duty_shelf_bracket" src="/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/standing_desk_heavy_duty_shelf_bracket.jpg" width="250" height="169" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text"><strong>A prime specimen:</strong> this <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000VBIR08/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000VBIR08&linkCode=as2&tag=leveluphouse-20">12″ Knape & Vogt heavy duty bracket </a>will lock your standup desk in place.</p></div> <p>I used a pair of 12″ x 8″ heavy duty shelf brackets from the Big Orange Box.</p> <div style="width: 317px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="/2013/01/standing-desk-part-2/shelfbrackets/" rel="attachment wp-att-979"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" alt="fixing a wobbly standing desk with shelf brackets" src="/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/ShelfBrackets.jpg" width="307" height="230" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">My standing desk’s brackets: 12″ x 8″ of raw desk-anchoring power.</p></div> <h1>Positioning the Brackets</h1> <p>Your needs will vary – put your brackets wherever makes sense considering the walls around your desk and the underside of your desk. My desk is up against a window, so I had to work around the full-length curtain.</p> <p>My brackets had to be positioned:</p> <ol> <li><strong>Outside of the curtain’s</strong> <strong>range of motion…</strong></li> <li>…but still <strong>far enough apart</strong> to stabilize the desk and help support its weight</li> <li><strong>…and not over any studs</strong> because my drill isn’t badass enough to drill into a stud</li> </ol> <p>The curtain-closing requirement pretty much forced the first bracket to the center of the window, and the other one somewhere to the right of the window. That meant the left bracket would be smack dab in the center of the window, and the right bracket somewhere near the L-shaped desk’s corner.</p> <p>To position the bracket, I figured out where the stud <em>wasn’t</em>, held the bracket in place against the wall, and marked its holes with a pencil.</p> <div style="width: 522px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="/2013/01/project-wrap-up-project-wrap-up/wrapup_deskanchor3/" rel="attachment wp-att-865"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" alt="fix a wobbly standing desk with shelf brackets" src="/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/wrapup_deskanchor3.jpg" width="512" height="384" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text"><strong>Ideal bracket locations:</strong> clear of the window and far enough apart underneath the desk to make having two brackets worthwhile.</p></div> <h1>Mounting the Brackets into Drywall</h1> <p>I used “EZ Anchors” to secure the screws, which prevents the screws from getting all wobbly in the wall.</p> <div id="attachment_2690" style="width: 382px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/ez_anchors.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-2690" class="size-full wp-image-2690 " alt="fixing a wobbly standing desk with shelf brackets" src="/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/ez_anchors.jpg" width="372" height="230" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/ez_anchors.jpg 372w, /wp-content/uploads/2013/01/ez_anchors-300x185.jpg 300w, /wp-content/uploads/2013/01/ez_anchors-185x114.jpg 185w" sizes="(max-width: 372px) 100vw, 372px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-2690" class="wp-caption-text">EZ Anchor (plastic) and metal screw.</p></div> <p>EZ Anchors are easy to use. You can twist ’em right into location, or drill a tiny pilot hole first to make them go in even easier.</p> <ol> <li><strong>Figure out where your screw will go</strong> (just hold the shelf bracket in the place where you want it to go)</li> <li><strong>Mark the wall </strong>through the holes in the shelf bracket</li> <li><strong>Put the shelf bracket down</strong></li> <li><strong>Screw the plastic EZ Anchor into the wall</strong></li> <li><strong>Hold the shelf bracket</strong> in place</li> <li><strong>Screw the screw into the EZ Anchor</strong></li> </ol> <p>Don’t skip EZ Anchors if you aren’t screwing your brackets into studs. Repeated nudges on the desk will eventually soften the screw’s attachment to the drywall and weaken your brackets.</p> <div id="attachment_2691" style="width: 217px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/ez_anchors_box.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-2691" class=" wp-image-2691 " alt="fixing a wobbly standing desk with shelf brackets" src="/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/ez_anchors_box.jpg" width="207" height="390" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/ez_anchors_box.jpg 259w, /wp-content/uploads/2013/01/ez_anchors_box-159x300.jpg 159w" sizes="(max-width: 207px) 100vw, 207px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-2691" class="wp-caption-text">EZ Anchor box looks like this.</p></div> <h1>All Done!</h1> <p>My wobbly standing desk is rock solid. Check ’em out, here’s one of the brackets:</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="/2013/01/project-wrap-up-project-wrap-up/wrapup_deskanchor2/" rel="attachment wp-att-864"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter" alt="fixing a wobbly standing desk with shelf brackets" src="/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/wrapup_deskanchor2.jpg" width="512" height="384" /></a></p> <p>And here’s the other under the window:</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="/2013/01/project-wrap-up-project-wrap-up/wrapup_deskanchor1/" rel="attachment wp-att-863"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter" alt="fixing a wobbly standing desk with shelf brackets" src="/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/wrapup_deskanchor1.jpg" width="512" height="384" /></a></p> <p>And that’s it! It’s done! And <em><strong>it’s awesome</strong></em>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>/2013/fixing-a-wobbly-standing-desk-with-shelf-brackets/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>2</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>Car Repair: Covering a Big Scratch</title> <link>/2012/car-repair-covering-a-big-scratch/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Mandi]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Sun, 30 Dec 2012 22:24:56 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Home Improvement]]></category> <category><![CDATA[car]]></category> <category><![CDATA[DIY]]></category> <category><![CDATA[ford]]></category> <category><![CDATA[paint]]></category> <category><![CDATA[scratch]]></category> <category><![CDATA[taurus]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">/?p=777</guid> <description><![CDATA[So, this is a thing that happened: I don’t want to waste space or time ranting about the circumstances that led to this, but the end result is this: the car’s metal is exposed and needs to be covered before it explodes into a torrent of rust. First, we visited a couple of body shops. […]]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>So, this is a thing that happened:</p> <p><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/car_scratch1.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-778" title="car_scratch1" src="/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/car_scratch1.jpg" alt="" width="384" height="512" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/car_scratch1.jpg 384w, /wp-content/uploads/2013/01/car_scratch1-225x300.jpg 225w" sizes="(max-width: 384px) 100vw, 384px" /></a></p> <p>I don’t want to waste space or time ranting about the circumstances that led to this, but the end result is this: <strong>the car’s metal is exposed and needs to be covered before it explodes into a torrent of rust. </strong></p> <p>First,<strong> we visited a couple of body shops. </strong>They’d have to basically rebuild this section of the car. The car is 11 years old and not worth this. We also can’t afford it.</p> <p>Thinking maybe we should <strong>attempt something DIY-ish,</strong> we next went to O’Reilly’s Auto Repair. They had an overwhelming array of car body clays, potions, waxes, creams, etc, but their guys were convinced the car was going to rust no matter what we did and so missed an opportunity to sell us tons of car potions that (apparently) don’t work.</p> <p>Finally, <strong>we went to the Ford dealer</strong>, where their guy told us to paint on a few coats from a little can of Ford paint (which I happen to already own) and then wax it. SOLD!</p> <p><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/car_scratch_paint.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-779" title="car_scratch_paint" src="/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/car_scratch_paint.jpg" alt="" width="384" height="512" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/car_scratch_paint.jpg 384w, /wp-content/uploads/2013/01/car_scratch_paint-225x300.jpg 225w" sizes="(max-width: 384px) 100vw, 384px" /></a></p> <p><strong>Step 1: We scrubbed the hell out of the car. </strong> December in 40 degree weather is the best time to wash your car. The icy water and frigid air make you work <em>very fast</em>. We scrubbed until we were certain we had scrubbed off all the wax we so lovingly applied in October.</p> <p><strong>Step 2: We dried the car and pulled it into the garage. </strong> The car needs to be somewhat warm for this (the Internet seems to recommend 75 degrees, but that’s not gonna happen in December.)</p> <p><strong>Step 3: Using a hair dryer, I warmed the area to paint. </strong></p> <p><strong>Step 4: I applied the first coat of touch up paint to the wound.</strong> This stuff is like thick nail polish and easy enough to apply (there’s a brush attached to the cap). No real technique here, since the angle is so awkward and the paint so goopy. I tried my best to make the coat thin and even.</p> <p><strong>Step 5: Wait 2 hours dry time</strong></p> <p><strong>Step 6: Apply second coat</strong></p> <p><strong>Step 7: Wait 2 hours</strong></p> <p><strong>Step 8: Apply third coat</strong></p> <p><strong>Step 9: Dry for 20 hours. </strong> We were supposed to wait 24, but this would have to be close enough if we were going to wax it and still get to the grocery store before Sunday night ended.</p> <p><strong>Step 10: Wax the car </strong>(in the cold!)</p> <p>Here’s our “after”:</p> <p><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/car_scratch2.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-780" title="car_scratch2" src="/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/car_scratch2.jpg" alt="" width="384" height="512" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/car_scratch2.jpg 384w, /wp-content/uploads/2013/01/car_scratch2-225x300.jpg 225w" sizes="(max-width: 384px) 100vw, 384px" /></a></p> <p>This car doesn’t need to win any beauty pageants, but it does need to last a few more years. Since we just applied this, I don’t know how it will work out. It could chip off the moment the car hits 50 mph. It could rust underneath the paint. Rain could wash it off.</p> <p>I’ll update when we know which it is!</p> ]]></content:encoded> </item> <item> <title>2 Min Fix: Tighten a Toilet to the Floor!</title> <link>/2012/tighten-toilet-to-floor/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Mandi]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Fri, 28 Dec 2012 20:50:53 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Repairs]]></category> <category><![CDATA[DIY]]></category> <category><![CDATA[tighten]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Toilet]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">/?p=750</guid> <description><![CDATA[Ah, just when I thought we were done with plumbing for the year… a wild leaky toilet appears! While cleaning the computer room’s bathroom, I noticed a thin border of water between the toilet’s base and the floor. My first reaction, of course, was to completely flip out and assume the worst – new toilet, […]]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Ah, just when I thought we were done with plumbing for the year… <strong>a wild leaky toilet appears</strong>!</p> <p>While cleaning the computer room’s bathroom, I noticed a thin border of water between the toilet’s base and the floor. My first reaction, of course, was to completely flip out and assume the worst – <del>new toilet, new floor,</del> new bathroom?!?!?</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/pottyleak_1.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-760" title="tighten a toilet to the floor leak" alt="" src="/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/pottyleak_1.jpg" width="384" height="512" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/pottyleak_1.jpg 384w, /wp-content/uploads/2013/12/pottyleak_1-225x300.jpg 225w" sizes="(max-width: 384px) 100vw, 384px" /></a></p> <p>(Yes, the toilet seat doesn’t center on the bowl. Yes, I would love to re-do this entire bathroom.)</p> <p>BUT… the solution was simple: <strong>the toilet just needed to be tightened to the floor</strong>! A gap nearly 1/4” in height existed between potty and floor.</p> <p>Let’s get this potty on the floor. (<em>Let the potty hit the floor… <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JZ9djZa180">let the potty hit the floor…</a> </em>)</p> <p><strong>Step 1: Pop the caps off both of the bolts that hold the potty to the floor.</strong> This deserves its own step thanks to the thick seal of crusty crap holding the caps on, which I chiseled off with a screwdriver. I knew I was in trouble the second I saw this : the nut wasn’t even on the bolt anymore, it was trapped loose inside the cap.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/pottyleak_3.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-754" title="tighten a toilet to the floor remove caps" alt="" src="/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/pottyleak_3.jpg" width="384" height="512" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/pottyleak_3.jpg 384w, /wp-content/uploads/2013/01/pottyleak_3-225x300.jpg 225w" sizes="(max-width: 384px) 100vw, 384px" /></a></p> <p><strong>Step 2:</strong> Put the nut on the bolt if it isn’t already, and use a wrench (or a wrench-like tool) to turn the nut clockwise, bringing it down towards the toilet. Apply this to both sides equally – do a few turns on the left, then a few on the right, then go back to the left, etc.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/pottyleak_2.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-755" title="tighten a toilet to the floor wrench on nut" alt="" src="/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/pottyleak_2.jpg" width="384" height="512" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/pottyleak_2.jpg 384w, /wp-content/uploads/2013/01/pottyleak_2-225x300.jpg 225w" sizes="(max-width: 384px) 100vw, 384px" /></a></p> <p><strong>Step 3: Put the caps back on. </strong> In this case, the toilet is now too low for the caps and I’ll have to come back and saw the bolts to be a little shorter, but you might be luckier than I was. Either way, this is a minor problem compared with a water leak.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/pottyleak_4.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-756" title="tighten a toilet to the floor put caps back on" alt="" src="/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/pottyleak_4.jpg" width="512" height="384" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/pottyleak_4.jpg 512w, /wp-content/uploads/2013/01/pottyleak_4-300x225.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px" /></a></p> <p><strong>Step 4: Check for leaks 24-48 hours later </strong>I like to use some TP for this step, as it’ll absorb anything it finds.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/pottyleak_5.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-757" title="tighten a toilet to the floor clean up" alt="" src="/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/pottyleak_5.jpg" width="384" height="512" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/pottyleak_5.jpg 384w, /wp-content/uploads/2013/01/pottyleak_5-225x300.jpg 225w" sizes="(max-width: 384px) 100vw, 384px" /></a></p> <p>Phew, leak fixed!</p> <p><strong>Total cost: </strong>$0.<br /> <strong>Time spent:</strong> a couple minutes<br /> <strong>Crises averted?</strong> YES</p> ]]></content:encoded> </item> <item> <title>Budget DIY Kitchen Remodel Progress: July</title> <link>/2012/budget-diy-kitchen-remodel-progress-july/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Mandi]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Mon, 16 Jul 2012 01:45:37 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Kitchen]]></category> <category><![CDATA[budget]]></category> <category><![CDATA[DIY]]></category> <category><![CDATA[remodel]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">/?p=555</guid> <description><![CDATA[I don’t think I’ve written an update on our budget DIY kitchen remodel in a while. Here’s what we’ve been up to these last couple months. February: I started refinishing the cabinets and tearing out cabinets to make room for the range hood March: Purchased and installed range hood April: Spent this month tearing up the […]]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I don’t think I’ve written an update on our budget DIY kitchen remodel in a while. Here’s what we’ve been up to these last couple months.</p> <p><strong>February:</strong> I started refinishing the cabinets and <a href="http://wp.me/p3DTBN-5L">tearing out cabinets</a> to make room for the range hood<br /> <strong>March: </strong>Purchased and<strong> </strong><a href="http://wp.me/p3DTBN-6H">installed range hood</a><br /> <strong>April</strong>: Spent this month <a href="http://wp.me/p3DTBN-6N">tearing up the many floor layers</a><br /> <strong>May:</strong> <a href="http://wp.me/p3DTBN-7H">Popcorn ceiling removed</a>, <a href="http://wp.me/p3DTBN-6a">countertop</a> installed, laminate flooring installed</p> <p>Unfortunately, I have a crappy tradition of getting sick at the start of summer. Being sick and recovering knocked the motivation out of me for about five weeks. During this time I didn’t do jack on the house, but now we’re back at it.</p> <p><strong>July:</strong> Installed the cabinet pulls and reattached most of the doors to the frames.</p> <p><strong>Here’s a snapshot I took today:</strong></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Kitchen.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-557" title="Kitchen" alt="budget diy kitchen remodel progress" src="/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Kitchen.jpg" width="512" height="384" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Kitchen.jpg 512w, /wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Kitchen-300x225.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px" /></a></p> <p><strong>To Do: </strong></p> <ul> <li>Paint the interior of the ceiling lighting recess (Dad and Jim installed two LED can lights into here, they’re awesome)</li> <li>Hide the cord from the range hood</li> <li>Hide the range hood’s duct</li> <li>Install wall shelving to the left of the range hood</li> <li>Tile a backsplash around the kitchen</li> </ul> <p>By spreading the work out over a long period of time we’re preserving our sanity (kitchen has experienced nearly 100% uptime through all this work) and putting months between major expenses. I don’t know how people spend 50-100 grand on a kitchen. Those fortunate people live in a different world than I do.</p> ]]></content:encoded> </item> <item> <title>Yardmageddon 2012: Part 1 – Side Yard Slaughter</title> <link>/2012/yardmageddon1/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Mandi]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Sun, 24 Jun 2012 00:35:02 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Landscaping]]></category> <category><![CDATA[DIY]]></category> <category><![CDATA[landscaping]]></category> <category><![CDATA[weeding]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">/?p=526</guid> <description><![CDATA[We never go in this part of the yard. Honestly, I think we forgot it belongs to us. It’s a useless alley hardly large enough to hold a garbage bin, but that’s exactly what we’re going to put in it: our three carts will have a new home here once we’re done weeding and mulching. […]]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>We never go in this part of the yard. Honestly, I think we forgot it belongs to us. It’s a useless alley hardly large enough to hold a garbage bin, but that’s exactly what we’re going to put in it: our three carts will have a new home here once we’re done weeding and mulching. The weeds got a bit out of hand – foliage grows fast in Washington! Fortunately, they are easy to pull out.</p> <p><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/AlleyBefore.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-527" title="AlleyBefore" alt="" src="/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/AlleyBefore.jpg" width="384" height="512" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/AlleyBefore.jpg 384w, /wp-content/uploads/2012/07/AlleyBefore-225x300.jpg 225w" sizes="(max-width: 384px) 100vw, 384px" /></a></p> <p>20 minutes of weeding, a trip to Home Depot and 4 bags of mulch later:</p> <p><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/AlleyAfter.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-528" title="AlleyAfter" alt="" src="/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/AlleyAfter.jpg" width="384" height="512" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/AlleyAfter.jpg 384w, /wp-content/uploads/2012/07/AlleyAfter-225x300.jpg 225w" sizes="(max-width: 384px) 100vw, 384px" /></a></p> <p>We pulled out the rest of the weeds a few days later. Minutes after taking this pic, it began to rain (hard).</p> <p>Yay, rain! Now we can go inside!! (This is one of the things I love about living in Washington.)</p> ]]></content:encoded> </item> </channel> </rss>