Buying, Fixing & Selling Your Home: Part III

Published by cravat | Filed under Buyer / Seller Tips, Miscellaneous, Real Estate, Shout Outs, Uncategorized

Here comes the third part of remodeling projects which will focus on maple floors, installation of storage and cabinet.   

When you intend to tackle your maple floors, I’d suggest that it is best to left it to the professionals though it does not seem that hard to do. Let me share what I have learned: 

1.     Rentals of machine are inexpensive. You need a floor edger and sander.

2.     Using sandpaper is really costly. Buy as much as you need because you can keep all unused sheets

3.     There are three grits of paper: for the first sanding, use heavy; medium for second sanding and fine for final.

4.     Seal off adjoining rooms by dangling plastic sheets on doorways because dusts fly everywhere.

5.     Walk slowly and uniformly pushing the sander. Most of all be patient.

6.     When using an edger to sand along the walls, never try to sand while wearing socks or you will be zipped across the floor.

7.     Use tack cloth after clearing / vacuuming to tidy up every bit of dust.

8.     Sanding the first coat lightly to make the wood grains come out.

9.     Natural maple has its own right to be beautiful. Staining is not needed nor preferred.

10.  Let it dry overnight

11.  Do not let anyone walk on the floors for at least five days.

Wood stripping

Knowing how to strip the wood may not be that easy so here are the tips I picked up about stripping paint from wood:

1.     This will take so much of your time for the process, so carry a lot of patience.

2.     Environmental products take slow to work and not as effective as products.

3.     Make sure that rooms are completely ventilated to avoid smelling the fumes.

4.     Wear old gloves and clothes

5.     Using steel wool will help removes hard paint chips 

Building storage cabinet 

When you need additional storage and you are not satisfied with what is available, here is what I learned on materials that you can use and how to build and finish your cabinet:  

1.     Furring strings cut the length of a back wall and shorter furring strips for the sides.

2.     Pre-cut shelving that you can purchase from any lumber

3.     Enamel paint

4.     Measure height and width of space

5.     Made to order maple cabinet doors

6.     Install the doors

7.     Place the trim to cover gaps