If you have ever grabbed a can of Rust-oluem spray paint only to discover the nozzle is clogged then you will appreciate this tip. Paint that remains in the nozzle after you use the can dry and clog the opening .
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To clean the nozzle, pull it off the nozzle and drop it in a small container of paint thinner for a few hours. (You can use the spray paint can's plastic top)
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Next, take a small pin or wire and clean the inside of the nozzle from the end that connects to the can (not the nozzle tip).
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Scrub any paint off the nozzle tip with a cloth or brush.
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Rinse the nozzle again in paint thinner to remove any particles you just dislodged.
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Put the nozzle on a can of WD-40 and spray a little through the nozzle.
In the nozzle is still clogged repeat these steps. To prevent this problem in the future, turn the can upside down and spray until the stream becomes clear. Then wipe any paint off the nozzles tip.
There's a high-seas adventure story behind the creation of Rust-Oleum® coatings. A Scottish-born sea captain, Robert Fergusson created it READ MORE
Hardwood Floor Border and Feature Strip
Hardwoods floors offer an unrivaled sense of quality that never ceases to get stale or fade with home building or decorating trends.
Hardwood flooring has many species and finishes ranging from the more traditional classics such as, oak and ash to modern or contemporary styles like maple or the unusual pattern of an exotic hardwood like Brazilian Tigerwood or African Sapele.
If your style is more cozy and rustic, you might want to consider hickory or cherry hardwoods.
Add to any hardwood flooring installation a hardwood border and feature strip and now you are talking high end curb appeal. A border usually consists of 8-12 inches of similar flooring running the walls. A feature strip is an accent strip that highlights and shows off the decorative borders as well as enhances the hardwood flooring installation.
Steps To Install A border and Feature Strip
As with any hardwood floor installation take the time to orient or if needed, cut and scribe, the first border boards to ensure that your first board is parallel to the opposite wall. Check and double check this before starting the install.
When installing the border and feature strip use a consistent and overlapping pattern in the corners. This pattern, not unlike a herringbone pattern, is a pleasing and nice finish detail.
There is no hard or fast rule but I feel 8 to12 inches out from the wall is a good place to end the border and start your feature strip.
When installing the feature strip you can either install [nails vs. staples] a full width board and blind nail the board or rip it smaller to a desired width and face nail it in place. Since the feature strip is highlighted in the floor I prefer to hide the nails.
For a good finish, it helps to sandwich the featured feature strip board between two similar direction boards. This keeps all of the field joints off the feature strip.
Complete the entire border and feature strip on at least three if not all four walls prior to filling in the middle field boards.
When you reach the opposite end of the room with your field boards, use a tongue and groove router bit to route the ends of the field board so it fits onto and locks in place. When doing this hold the last two boards slightly off the floor at their joint. Slowly lower the two boards down and then slide the boards into place over the previously installed board tongue.
Routing the last board is better than gluing and nailing it in place. Complete the entire border [All 4 walls] and feature strip prior to filling in the middle field.
Routing this board is a much better joint and allows natural, seasonal movement without breaking apart. If the glue bond fails you will end up with gaps.
One method that I find works well is to install both sides of the field at the same time and work toward the middle. Working to the middle ensures that the outer edges are consistent and leaves the last board in the middle. This ensures that you do not install the last, and most likely thinner board next to the highly visible feature strip.
When you get closer to the middle, instead of finishing the field with one really thin narrow strip, you can always rip a little material off several boards and re-groove them to finish the floor without bringing attention to a much narrower strip that will draw attention.
However, most times a slightly narrower board will not be picked up in the middle of the floor and is usually hidden under an area rug.
For the last piece: On a table saw rip the tongue off the second to last piece and install it. Then rip the last piece to the necessary width and install it using construction adhesive and face nails. Many times you will need the assistance of a wood block to persuade this piece into place.
Adding a border and feature strip to your next hardwood floor installation is a great way to show off your artistic side and create a floor that follows the classic designs or is more eccentric and shows off your artistic flair.
To me when I see a border and feature strip installed in a hardwood floor I immediately think high end and quality.
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In the typical Rob Robillard fashion I got WAY into this project before I remembered to take out my digital camera
