Explore 5 Gallon Buckets, Painting Tips, and more!

Explore related topics

Squares

Whenever I mix 5-gallon buckets of paint with a drill and paddle attachment, I put the paddle's shaft through a hole in a large cardboard square before attaching the shaft to the drill. Then I lay the cardboard directly on the container before turning on the drill. No splatters! — Tracy Thompson, Marion, Va. | Photo: Ian Spanier | thisoldhouse.com

5 Gallon Buckets Painting Tips Painting Techniques Tracy Thompson The Container Handy Man Chalkboard Paint Painted Ladies Paddles

splatter stopper--mixing paint with a drill? Slip a piece of cardboard on then hold it flat on the top of the can. No splatters

Paint Brush Conditioner - To keep synthetic-bristle brushes in good shape after cleaning, rub them with... *** Click pic to see rest of tip ***

Hair Conditioner Diy Painting Paint Brushes Painting Techniques Household Cleaning Rest Paint Techniques Painting Techniques Canvas

Paint Brush Conditioner,To keep synthetic-bristle brushes in good shape after cleaning, rub them with hair conditioner stored in a handy hotel-size bottle. Always rinse them out before using them again.

28 More Reader Tips That Save Time and Money

Painting Doors Painting Cabinets Painting Tips Painting Techniques This Old House The House Closet Doors Old Houses Cabinet Doors

Door Stack-Drying Trick reader tip to save time and money

There's an easier way to drive big screws into studs. | Photo: Courtesy of HomeDepot.com | thisoldhouse.com

23 Reader Tips That Save Time and Money

Man Food Wd 40 Diy Products Homekeeping Carpentry Plumbing Homework Homesteading Helpful Hints

Screw Lubricant tip from the this old house reader remodel issue 2012

When you finally get around to putting in that dimmer switch, you won't want to be stumped by a poorly labeled breaker box. Ditch the pencil and paper chart—you're not changing your wiring anytime soon. Instead, write directly on the metal next to each switch with a fine indelible marker. Have a friend plug lamps into all the sockets in a room and tell you via cell phone which ones go dark when you flip a switch. Then, be specific ("sofa and window walls only" or &...

47 Skills You Need to Survive Homeownership

Faux Painting Oil Painting Tips Painting Techniques Oil Paintings This Old House Paint Brushes Paint Finishes Paint Thinner Old Houses

reusing paint thinner to clean oil-based finishes off of paint brushes.

Medicine-Cabinet MacGyver

Grout Sealer Clean Clean Kitchen Floor Downstairs Bathroom Medicine Cabinets Bathroom Remodeling Bathroom Ideas Dips A Photo

Paint grout lines—and only the grout lines, not the tile—with sealer soaked on the end of a cotton swab.

Here's a trick for getting accurate drywall or beadboard cuts for electrical outlets without measuring. Take off the outlet cover, screw it on backwards, paint its outer rim white, and then—before the paint dries—press the panel against it. | Photo: Chris Stein/Getty Images | thisoldhouse.com

23 Reader Tips That Save Time and Money

Chris Stein Kitchen Walls Kitchen Backsplash Electrical Outlets The Panel Outlet Covers Drywall Indiana Carpentry

When installing beadboard panels.to cut the holes for the electrical outlets.Take off the outlet cover, screw it on backwards, paint its outer rim white, and then—before the paint dries—press the panel against it.

How to Repair Peeling Paint

Home Painting Painting Tools Paint Color Palettes Painting Contractors Peeling Paint Paint Stain Interior Paint Colors Painted Ladies Patching Plaster Walls

How to Repair Peeling Paint In this video, painting contractor Jim Clark solves persistent peeling-paint problems

How to keep your washing machine from sliding around like an eel during the spin cycle. | Photo: David Toase/Getty Images | thisoldhouse.com

23 Reader Tips That Save Time and Money

Mapleton Utah Cycle Photo Hardware Stores Washer Tile Floor Clueless Laundry Room Washing Machine Homestead

Wandering-Washer Cure tip from the this old house reader remodel issue 2012 Rubber fender washers stop the wandering.

Medicine-Cabinet MacGyver

Kitchen Cabinet Doors Kitchen Cabinets Painting Tricks Natural Cleaners Clean Freak Diy Cleaners Medicine Cabinets Eyeliner Household Items

Use eyeliner to touch up shallow scratches and fill finish-nail holes in kitchen cabinet doors, furniture, trim, doors and paneling.

stuff an old toilet brush into the bottom elbow of a downspout. The bristles break up the drops, halting the noise, yet still allow water to flow through, even during downpours.

23 Reader Tips That Save Time and Money

Toilet Brush Water Drip Outdoor Ideas Outdoor Spaces Outdoor Living House Projects Fun Facts Lawn Household

stuff an old toilet brush into the bottom elbow of a downspout. The bristles break up the drops, halting the noise, yet still allow water to flow through, even during downpours.

Maximize your purchasing power with these handy apps and websites that will help you budget for, buy and calculate the amount of materials needed for your next home improvement project. | Photo: burak pekakcan/E+/Getty | thisoldhouse.com

Online Home Renovation Tools That Save Cash

House Remodeling Bathroom Renovations Remodeling Ideas Homekeeping Frugal Finance Future House Budgeting Castle

Maximize your purchasing power with these handy apps and websites that will help you budget for, buy and calculate the amount of materials needed for your next home improvement project.