The RepcoLite Home Improvement Show: Recent Episodes
Dan Hansen & Hailey Johnson
RepcoLite's weekly radio show focusing on color, design, paint, and projects . . . as well as plumbing, roofing, yard care, flooring and more. If it makes your house a better place to be, we're talking about it on air!
On Today's EpisodeKilling Spray Cans Safely [00:00 - 10:49]First, we answer a common question about paint recycling: yes, RepcoLite will take back unwanted latex paint and we'll either recycle it (if possible) or responsibly dispose of it (if necessary). The cost is $3 per container and the material must be in its original container.
From there, we talk about the best way to deal with a basement full of old spray cans you no longer want or need!
Why to DIY [10:49 - 18:58]There are a lot of reasons to DIY. Here are just a few:
- Save money
- Save time waiting for repairs
- Build a sense of accomplishment
- Learn new skills
- And gain confidence so you can tackle MORE repairs and projects around the house
- Bragging Rights
Faulty Excuses That Keep Us From DIYing [18:58 - 32:21]There are a lot of excuses that keep us from tackling a project. And most of them just don't stand up!
BASIC APPLIANCE REPAIR TOOLKIT:
- Screwdriver Set (Phillips and Slot)
- Putty Knife
- Nut Driver Set
- Impact Driver
- Combination Wrench Set
- Socket Set
- Multimeter
- Wire Cutters
- Wire Strippers
- Needle Nose Pliers
- Pliers
- Allen Wrenches
- Nylon Brushes
- Brass Brushes
- Vice Grips
- Needle Nose Vice Grips
- Channel Locks
- Crescent Wrench
- Hammer
- Level
- Head Lantern/FLashlight
- Razor Knife
- Magnetic Pickup
- Magnetic Parts Dish
- Electrical Tape
- Plumber's Tape
- Zip Ties
BASIC AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR TOOLKIT:
- The tools in BOLD above plus...
- Vehicle Jack
- Tire Iron and Breaker Bar
- Wheel Chock
- Torque Wrench
- Tire Pressure Gauge
- Oil Filter Wrench
- Drain Pan
- Spark Plug Gap Gauge
- OBDII Scanner (Check out this super cool scanner from BlueDriver)
Getting the Best Results [32:21 - 39:58]Lastly, we talk about a few things you might want to do to ensure that you get the best results possible!
On Today's EpisodeWelcome Back, Hailey [00:00 - 11:30]Hailey's back from maternity leave! We check in and see how life is with a new baby in the house...
When Everything Goes Wrong [11:30 - 19:00]In the last 3 months, Hailey's home has struggled! We've all been there (or if you haven't, it's coming!), but it's still tough when it hits.
Steps to Getting the Best Roof Estimate Possible [19:00 - 32:08]RESEARCH THE PROCESS
This will help you understand terms of the trade and give you some background knowledge. When they start talking about decking, underlayment, flashing and types of nails you can be more engaged and won't just be smiling and nodding! Having background knowledge also helps you formulate questions!
GET MULTIPLE QUOTES
It's tempting to go with the first quote you get and call it good. But don't do that! Get multiple quotes to make sure the price is right but also to make sure you're getting the best company. The quotes take time (sometimes as long as 2 hours) and it's tempting to want to wrap the process up. But you're better served to work through it and talk to multiple companies before making your final decision!
SLEEP ON IT
The roofers want to get you to close the deal on the day of the estimate. It's a better plan to sleep on it. Take some extra time and don't let yourself get rushed into a decision.
TAKE TIME PICKING A COLOR
The roof makes up a huge part of the exterior of your home! Take time to make sure the color you're choosing is the right one! Ask for samples--as large as possible--and take your time....
Key Questions to Ask During the Roof Estimate [32:08 - 39:03] Are you bonded and insured? * Are you a roofer? Not every estimator has been a roofer--find out if your's has!* * What materials do you use and why? * Can you provide proof that your installation meets manufacturer specs? * What will the process look like? * How long does it take? * What does clean up look like? * How do you protect my home and yard? * How many people will be onsite? * Will you be onsite? * Who can I contact throughout my experience? * What is your warranty? * Will you provide me with all the warranty documentation? * What things might cause deviation from the contracted price? * Understand what they charge for flashing and plywood * How do they check to make sure decking is still good? * Look at the reviews! * Ask for a home they recently done * Finally . . . ask yourself: who do you communicate best with?
On Today's EpisodeInterior Designer Andy Yates joins us for the full episode to talk about how to economically update a kitchen.
On Today's EpisodeMustard Seed Inspirations [00:00 - 18:58]Ali Bryde from Mustard Seed Beginning visits with us to talk about how she finds inspiration for all the projects she tackles.
Interior Design 101 with Andy Yates [18:58 - 39:07]Interior Designer Andy Yates gives us a quick Interior Design 101 class.
On Today's EpisodeThe Woodward Dream Cruise [00:00 - 19:09]The Woodward Dream Cruise is the worlds BIGGEST single day automotive event. Learn more here!
Home Solution for Killing Driveway Weeds [19:10 - 26:20]The formula:
- 1 Gallon Vinegar (horticultural vinegar works even better)
- 1 cup of salt (regular table salt)
- 1 Tablespoon of dish detergent
Command from Corotech [26:20 - 39:37]
On Today's EpisodeThe Do's and Don'ts of Drone Flying [00:00 - 18:57]
Adults Live Here, Too! [18:58 - 39:24]Interior Designer Lauren Figueroa talks about designing spaces that feel like adults live here, too!
On Today's EpisodeThe Front Door Color That Can Earn You $6500![00:00 - 05:23]Believe it or not, data shows that there's a particular front door color that will help you make a LOT more money when you sell your home.
Painting an Imaginary Room . . . for Cheap! [05:23 - 39:13]Paint projects are not expensive (in the grand scheme of things). We take a few segments to walk you through an imaginary bedroom repaint. We start with the assumption that you have ZERO tools and we show you what you need and what you can skimp on to save money while still getting great results!
On Today's EpisodeRepairing/Replacing Interior Doors [00:00 - 13:54]With only 1 shopping day left until Father's Day 2022...
Getting Over Color Fear, Part 1 [13:54 - 19:00]Are you handy? When it comes to projects...
REPCOLITE REWIND: The Invention of the Roller Cover [19:00 - 28:38]Curb appeal is important all the time...
Getting Over Color Fear, Part 2 [28:38 - 51:31]Are you handy? When it comes to projects...
The History of the Electric Drill [51:31 - 105:29]Are you handy? When it comes to projects...
On Today's EpisodeA Little Recanting About Hoses [00:00 - 06:24]A few weeks ago, Dan A. gave a pretty glowing review for a garden hose that he had TRIED but had not yet purchased. We promised that when he owned one of these Flexilla Hybrid Polymer hoses, we'd report back and let you know if it was as good as he expected it to be.
Turns out, it's not! It's a good hose, but not for the purposes Dan needed it for. Now, he's spent the last few weeks purchasing and testing out all kinds of different hoses and he's got some recommendations.
Kids' Rooms Matter [06:24 - 18:59]What was your room like when you were growing up? Do you remember it? Did it have a positive impact on you? A negative impact? Or no impact at all?
In this segment, Hailey and Dan have a conversation about the importance of letting kids create their own spaces. As well as a conversation about how important it is to temper what the kids want to create so that it's not literally insane.
Do I Have Hardwood Floors? [18:59 - 30:00]Before we get to the project of refinishing hardwood floors . . . we need to cover some preliminaries and help you determine if you've got hardwood floors to begin with.
In some instances, you may have laminate floors or luxury vinyl plank floors. And while they look great, they're not real wood and cannot be refinished.
In other instances, you may have engineered wood floors instead of solid wood planks. Those CAN be refinished, but only a couple of times.
Or maybe you've got wall to wall carpet and are trying to figure out if you have wood floors.
Whatever your situation, in this segment, we'll help you figure out what you've got to work with and if it's a floor that can be refinished! And here are some extra resources if you're interested:
- How To Identify Wood Flooring -- 5 Different Types
- Are There Wood Floors In Your Home?
- Engineered Wood Floors Vs. Solid Wood Floors
- How to Tell if Your Floor is Laminate or Wood
Refinishing Hardwood Floors [30:00 - 39:00]If you've got hardwood floors lurking under your carpet, you're just a week's worth of work from having some amazing, one-of-a-kind floors in your home!
On Today's EpisodeIt's the Fourth of July weekend and we're excited to delve into our crates of radio goodness and bring to light some 4th of July gems from the past!
The Story of Old Glory [00:00 - 09:25]What better way to start the 4th of July Extravaganza than a look at the history behind Old Glory?
Flag Etiquette 101 [09:25 - 18:56]Many of us are flying the Stars and Stripes today . . . let's make sure we're doing it in a respectful manner! (I'm looking at you . . . flag-draped trucks).
RepcoLite Rewind: Where's Your Phone? [18:56 - 29:18]Scott Hudgens, Manager of the RepcoLite store in Birmingham joins us to talk about easy-to-build yard games guaranteed to get your family off their phones!
SCOTT'S INSTRUCTIONS for CORNHOLE BOARDSWhen learning how to make cornhole boards, you'll find that the platform is actually one of the easier parts to build. Start with building the frame, then add the top of the board.
STEP ONE: THE FRAME
The proper dimensions for a cornhole board are 4' x 2'. The frame of your cornhole board should reflect these dimensions, because the top will need support from edge to edge. Cut and join 2x4s, PVC pipe, or whatever other material you choose to meet these dimensions. Make sure all your corners are perfectly square. This is harder than you think if you don't have the right tools. Join them with screws or bolts that will hold them firmly in place.
STEP TWO: THE TOP
The top of a wooden cornhole board is often made out of a sheet of plywood that is cut to 2' x 4' dimensions. You can also use a sheet of thick plastic. It doesn't matter what material you're using, just make sure the top is cut to the right size.
Attach the top of your platform to the frame you built in step one. Again, use a sufficient amount of screws or bolts (or really strong adhesive) to firmly attach the top. I like to do this before I cut the hole, but do whatever you find easiest.
To cut the hole, use either a jif saw or, for a cleaner cut, a 6-inch hole saw. When you cut, you want the center of the hold to be nine inches from the top edge of the board and centered between the side edges (12 inches from each).
STEP THREE: THE LEGS
The platform of a cornhole board is straightforward as the dimensions are always the same. The legs, however, change depending on the design you followed to build the platforms and what material you are using for the legs. The top of a cornhole board platform should be raised 3 inches off the ground in the front and 12 inches off the ground in the back. Most designs don't require any legs in the front of the board, but the back legs will need to be custom-built to get the back of the board the desired 12 inches. Remember: measure twice, cut once!
CORNHOLE BOARD DESIGNS
Once your board is built, feel free to paint, stain, or otherwise decorate it in anyway you see fit! Unpainted wooden boards should be sanded, stained, and coated in polyurethane for a sleek surface. Make sure there isn't anything sticking out that will snag bags or negatively affect gameplay!
DETROIT TEAMS PAINT COLORSTIGERS: 2014-10 Festive Orange | 2064-10 Bold Blue | OC-118 Snowfall White
RED WINGS: 2000-10 Red | OC-118 Snowfall White
LIONS: 1622 Mineral Alloy | 798 Blue Suede Shoes
PISTONS: 2086-10 Exotic Red | 2066-20 Evening Blue
Ben Franklin: The Man, the Myth, The Swimming Legend [29:18 - 45:44]One of my favorite segments of all time! Ben Franklin was a renaissance man. He was a remarkable personality and there's a lot we can learn from his amazing life.
Thomas Jefferson, Interior Designer [45:44 -...
On Today's EpisodeThe Right Tools [00:00 - 04:45]Projects naturally go better when you use the right tools.
What Do I Need for a Garage Floor Makeover? [04:45 - 32:29]Painting garage floors is popular for a couple reasons: First, it can turn a garage from an ugly storage area to a more finished space. And, secondly, a sealed surface is much easier to keep clean.
However, it is one of the most difficult and demanding surfaces to paint and has to hold up to vehicle traffic, water and chemical attack, surface contamination from oil and other vehicle fluids, and the variable nature of concrete.
PREPARATION
MOISTURE TEST
Newer homes will have a vapor barrier installed beneath the concrete floor, older homes probably don't. If you're in an older home, the amount of water vapor that passes through concrete would probably surprise you. This moisture creates a challenge for adhesion of paint.
To determine if your floor is an ideal candidate for a garage floor makeover, perform this simple moisture test: Use duct tape to adhere a 3’ square piece of plastic film to the floor. After about 24 hours, look and see if there is any condensation on the back of the plastic. If so this indicates a significant amount of water is passing through the concrete, and failure of a coating is likely.
PREP NEXT STEPS
If you don't see evidence of water under that plastic, then the next steps in preparation are:
- Make sure the surface is clean and dry (If the floor is new, wait at least 30 days for concrete to cure before prep/painting)
- If the concrete is new or especially smooth, you should etch it to remove impurities (laitance) found in new concrete and to create a surface profile that helps paint adhere.
When it comes to etching, do NOT use muriatic acid (AKA Hydrochloric acid) because it is very difficult to rinse thoroughly and a small amount of residual acid on the concrete will inhibit proper adhesion and peeling paint could result. Acid can also migrate into the concrete, further corroding it and even the steel reinforcement which can lead to concrete failing - breaking apart.
Instead use a concrete etching solution that is phosphoric acid based, which is less aggressive and easier to rinse, and also less irritating to skin, eyes, lungs. Be aware that etching is not the same as cleaning. Etching solutions won't remove dirt, oil or other contaminants that could affect the adhesion or durability of the coating. Use a detergent degreaser product on those areas before etching.
Etching solutions will not work if the concrete is treated with a sealer. The only way to know if your floor has a sealer is: if the etching solution doesn’t “fizz” when applied to the surface, there is probably a sealer present.
There are drawbacks to etching that might make another surface preparation method such as grinding or shot blasting preferable. beside the need to thoroughly rinse, acids present health (chemical burns on skin, lung irritation) and environmental concerns. Also, results from etching can often vary depending on the density and porosity of the concrete. After etching and rinsing, the concrete will need to dry out for a few days before a coating can be applied.
FINISHING
Now you're ready to paint. What products should you use?
Single component paints lack the chemical, water and abrasion resistance required for a durable job. Even two-component water based epoxy paints don't offer the resistance properties of a similar solvent based product.
So, with that said, we recommend a two-component coating, and there are a few different types:
- Solvent-thinned polyamide epoxy
- 100% solids epoxy
- Polyaspartic
Solvent thinned epoxy: RepcoLite Poly-Glaze Epoxy, BM Corotech...
On Today's EpisodeBug Spray vs. Ticks Review [00:00 - 14:22]The ticks are SO bad right now where Dan H. likes to go walking that he's considering just getting a virtual reality headset so he can enjoy the outdoors that way. However, he knows that's not a good solution, so he's tested 5 Common Insect Repellents to determine which one is the best against ticks.
The Five Tested Insect Repellents:
- OFF! Sportsmen Deep Woods--Aerosol
- OFF! Deep Woods Dry--Aerosol
- OFF! Family Care--Smooth and Dry Aerosol
- OFF! Picaridin Sportsmen--Pump Spray
- Maggie's Farm Natural Insect Repellent--Aerosol
The Ratings:
FIFTH PLACE: Maggie's Farm Natural Insect Repellent
PROS
- Smelled great
- all natural ingredients
CONS
- Didn't stop ticks
- Heavy oil feel (grass clippings and other assorted pieces of nature stuck to Hannah--the test subject--for the entire length of the time outside. Not a huge deal, but she DID crab about it. A lot.)
FOURTH PLACE: OFF! Sportsmen Deep Woods Aerosol
PROS
- Repelled ticks well
CONS
- Oily feel, though not as oily as the all-natural repellent above.
- Strong odor
THIRD PLACE: OFF! Deep Woods Dry Aerosol
PROS
- Repelled ticks well
- No oily feel
CONS
- Strong odor
SECOND PLACE: OFF! Picaridin Sportsmen Pump Spray
PROS
- Repelled ticks well
- Pleasant odor
- Minimal oily feel
- Safe for gear
CONS
- Pump spray made complete, consistent coverage difficult
THE WINNER: OFF! Family Care--Smooth and Dry Aerosol
PROS
- Repelled ticks well
- Pleasant odor
- Completely dry feel
- Easy application
CONS
- None
The WRONG Contractor [14:22 - 18:59]Finding the right contractor is important. Here's why and here's how!
Also check out:
- 314 301
Indoor Projects You Need to Tackle Now [18:59 - 25:31]It's summer (almost), and so we've been talking about tons of exterior projects. However, there's a very good reason (3 very good reasons, in fact), to tackle some of those indoor projects now rather than waiting for fall!
Is New Scuff-X Any Good? [25:31 - 39:14]With changes in Michigan's VOC regulations in regards to paint coatings, Benjamin Moore's Scuff-X had to be reformulated. What does that mean for a product that's been almost universally loved by contractors and DIYers alike since it came out in 2017? We've got the scoop....
On Today's EpisodeBuilding Your Own Eden [00:00 - 18:58]We are in the studio with Scott Vanderberg and Chris Harkema from Vanderwall Brothers talking about outdoor spaces.
Your backyard can be so much more than it is! Vanderwall Brothers can help you create a perfect vision for any budget.
DETAILS
- 19156 174th Ave - Spring Lake, MI
- 616-842-4500
Deck Cleaning: A Quick Look [18:58 - 26:32]Many decks throughout Michigan are looking pretty rough. If your deck isn't exactly the haven you'd like it to be, you can fix that! And it's not a tough project.
Benjamin Moore Deck Cleaners we discussed:
- RESTORE
- BRIGHTEN
- REMOVE
- CLEAN
OnFloor Machine Rental Contact Info:
- Peter Ogle (petero@repcolite.com)
5 Mistakes When Choosing Front Door Colors [26:33 - 50:02]Painting a front door is a quick and easy project with HUGE curb appeal. Yet, there are some mistakes people commonly make along the way . . . .
On Today's EpisodeFlex Tape to the Rescue? [00:00 - 07:12]After finding some damaged hoses, Dan prepared to do the repairs. One of his kids spoke up and recommended Flex Tape as the solution. The commercials are all over the place and they show Flex Tape solving problems in a miraculous fashion. But did it work in Dan's situation?
Front Door Masterclass [07:12 - 30:24]Scott Hudgens, Manager of the Birmingham RepcoLite, is hosting a "Paint Your Front Door" Clinic in his store on Saturday, June 17. We sit down with him to discuss what the clinic looks like and to cover the info he'll be covering! Painting a front door is THE premier "boost-your-curb-appeal" project. If you want to make an impact and do it quickly and for very little expense, painting your front door is the answer!
You Can't Do That: Recreational Fires [30:24 - 39:09]When it comes to recreational fires in the city, there are a few things you need to know....
On Today's EpisodeWith Memorial Day weekend here, we wanted to spend a little time focusing on what the day is about, so the last half of the show is dedicated to the day and the men and women who've given their lives in the service of their country.
Vinyl vs. Wood Fencing [00:00 - 07:30]If you're on the fence when it comes to fencing materials, here's some information that may help you decide which one is right for you!
Hello New Products! [07:30 - 18:37]Having new products to offer is always fun. Knowing that some of these products are going to offer solutions for tough situations is even better.
All Gave Some, Some Gave All [18:57 - 33:03]We sit down with U.S. Navy Chaplain, Retired, Beth Stallinga to talk about Memorial Day from the perspective of someone who's spent her career in service to her country. Don't miss this interview!
The First Decoration Day [33:03 - 39:12]Usually, we equate the year 1868 with the beginnings of Memorial Day. But recent (1990's) historical evidence suggests that there was another, much earlier beginning for the heart and soul of Memorial Day....
On Today's EpisodeA Baby Announcement [00:00 - 05:38]Long-time co-host of the show, Hailey, had her baby! We share some info and do a little reminiscing...
How Michigan's New VOC Rules Will Impact All of Us [05:38 - 33:28]New regulations regarding VOCs in paint and coatings went into effect in April in Michigan. And while it may seem like it may not impact you . . . chances are, everyone will feel it a little.
Gone are oil-based deck products, polyurethanes, interior and exterior stains, and more. What does that mean? Are the waterbased alternatives as good?
Also, if you (like so many people do) rely on oil-based products to get the job done, you'll be eager to hear that RepcoLite is actually still allowed to produce all of these oil-based, go-to, traditional products for 5 more years. So if you need them, we've got something that will work for you.
We talk about all of that and much more in this segment!
The Perfect Hose [33:29 - 38:58]With only a little time left in the show for the week, we opted to discuss hoses. Dan #2 is looking for a new hose and he's sick of the standard options--the ones that kink and are hard to uncoil. He's found a great alternative....
- Flexilla Garden Hose
On Today's EpisodeThis week, our show was pre-empted in the West Michigan market, so we decided to air a "Best Of" episode featuring some of our favorite segments.
The (Tasty) History of Tulips [00:00 - 09:30]In honor of the end of Tulip Time 2023, we talk about the surprising (and surprisingly "tasty") history of tulips.
Touch-Up Master Class [09:31 - 18:59]Ever touched up some scuffs on your wall only to have less than perfect results? We've got answers!
Ladder Folklore [19:00 - 30:40]Ladders are common tools around the home. They're crazy old . . . and with all that use over all those years, there are bound to be some interesting stories that have arisen through the ages. We discuss some of our favorite (and the funniest) ladder-related history and folklore.
Floor Painting [30:41 - 39:15]Painting a floor can really infuse a room with energy and interest. If you're thinking about this kind of project, check out this segment. We've got the info you need to get great results.
On Today's EpisodeHow to Remove Moss from Your Roof [00:00 - 15:32]FORMULA I USED:
- 1 Pound Oxygenated Bleach
- 2 Gallons of Water
THIS IS FOR DIY Formulas! If you purchased a roof cleaner, follow label instructions
FIRST: RINSE PLANTS AROUND BASE OF HOUSE
SECOND: RINSE THE ROOF WITH LOW PRESSURE
- IF You spray from the ground, be cautious NOT to spray up under the shingles.
- May be better to get on the roof and spray at a downward angle
- Be careful–it’s slippery
- ALSO: Be careful with a hose on the roof
- Don’t damage your shingles
- This alone may be reason to call someone else to do it….
THIRD: IF DEALING WITH HEAVY MOSS, SWEEP LIGHTLY
- Use a soft-bristled brush
- Scrub lightly from top down
- Don’t damage shingles
- Remove what you can of the moss before spraying on your cleaner
- Most of my moss wouldn’t come off at that point
FOURTH: APPLY YOUR CLEANING SOLUTION WITH A GARDEN SPRAYER
- Allow to stay for 15 - 20 minutes
- Rinse thoroughly
- AGAIN: LOW PRESSURE
- And spraying from the top down
- IF POSSIBLE don't do this from the ground
- Don’t push water up under the shingles.
FIFTH: A SECOND QUICK SWEEP
- After rinsing . . . Swept it again
- This time a lot of moss came off–filled up the gutters
- Lichen began to powder away over the following week
- It MAY take more than one treatment to kill all of the MOSS.
- If you have to reapply
- Do so only after it's been allowed to thoroughly dry.
SIXTH: GIVE THAT LANDSCAPING ANOTHER RINSE!
Just to be safe, it doesn't hurt to spray your landscaping down one more time after you've finished on the roof.
A FEW THINGS TO REMEMBER:
- Don't use a pressure washer!
- Don't allow the bleach to remain on the surface for more than 30 minutes without rinsing.
- Take precautions with bleach -- goggles, etc.
- RINSE WELL – oxygenated bleach will leave a white residue if not rinsed well
- Protect the landscaping, decking, etc. below and around the house
- Pre-rinse plants and decking and rinse off immediately after.
- Use plastic to cover plants
- For some folks, this is a Hire it Out Project!
- If that’s you, make the call!
- Don’t get on your roof if you’re not comfortable with it!
- There are plenty of places out there waiting to help!
PREVENTATIVE MEASURES
The moss and lichen will come back as time goes by. Here are some easy preventative steps to help slow that down:
- Trim back tree branches!
- Sunlight is your friend!
- Remove debris that accumulates on the roof regularly with a leaf blower.
- Always work DOWN the slope!
- Don't blow debris or spray water up under the shingles.
- Keep gutters clean to promote water drainage.
- Figure on regular maintenance
Maybe It's Time to Update the Camper [15:33 - 39:03]We don't usually think about throwing a new coat of paint in our campers or RVs . . . but maybe we should....
On Today's EpisodeJust Say No to One Coat! [00:00 - 6:25]We are people, too! We know how tempting it is try to squeak by with one coat of paint. Here are 5 quick reasons why you shouldn't do that!
1) ONE COAT MIGHT NOT LOOK AS GOOD AS YOU THINK!
- Lighting can affect what we see
- Wet hide versus Dry hide – not the same things
2) 2 COATS GIVE BETTER LONG TERM RESULTS
- Better Color Representation → Better Look
- Better Durability, washability, etc.
3) IT'S MORE CONVENIENT TO DO IT NOW . . .
- Furniture’s moved
- Drop cloths are down
- Tape is applied
- Your tools are out!
- Putting everything away now and finding you need a second coat just turned that one project into two projects!
4) SECOND COATS ARE WAY FASTER
- You’re not cutting in again
- You’re not doing all the prep
- You’re just rolling that surface!
5) PLANNING ON A SECOND COAT CAN PREVENT YOU FROM MAKING A HUGE MISTAKE!
- When people PLAN on only doing one coat
- They tend to apply paint far too heavily!
- Runs, sags, and overall mess usually follow
- Planning on two coats right from the start means you apply paint correctly with each coat!
Wet Basement Horror Stories (and the Fixes!) [06:26 - 32:24]Zack Krieger from Ayers Basement Systems joins us to talk about some wet basements, creepy crawlspaces . . . and the fixes that are available! Don't live with bad basements--Ayers can help!
- Call Ayers: 866-379-1669
- Or visit Ayers online
Big Time Curb Appeal [32:34 - 39:01]Cleaning the house is (relatively) simple! Dan tackled the (neglected) vinyl siding on the back of his house. And in 20 minutes, or so, he had tremendous results. You can give your home a much needed bath this weekend using Jomax House Cleaner. Check out the segment for more info!
On Today's EpisodeGetting Unstuck [00:00 - 7:08]Life's busy and projects and maintenance and all kinds of other jobs can get pushed to the side. And often, when that happens, there's a bit of guilt that starts to build. We should be wrapping these things up. And if we're not, what does that say about us?
Well, I'm in the middle of a long slog through this and in my efforts to figure out what I might need to do to get myself moving again, I think I stumbled on some obvious info that might be helpful to more people than just me.
So, if you're feeling overwhelmed and a little guilty about projects at home, maybe this will help a little.
CUT YOURSELF SOME SLACK
It sounds touchy-feely, but being down on yourself--being negative--isn't productive. Negativity doesn't produce more results or better results. It really just slows the process down. So it's important to ease up on yourself a little bit. You're not a lazy homeowner, you're just busy.
Maintaining a home is a marathon and it's OK to take your time as you move through your projects. So, stop beating yourself up for what you may feel is a lack of results. That's first. But there's a lot more....
GET MOVING WITH A LIST
For me, the problem is basically that there are so many things I'd like to do or need to do that I don't know which to do first. They hover over me, filling up my mind, and I find myself randomly chasing down projects only to abandon them part way through when I see the next "squirrel". In the end, I find I'm almost running in circles.
If you've got so many things to do that you don't know where to start, here's something simple: make a list. Just brainstorm. Everything that comes to mind, everything that's looming over you, demanding your attention. Take all of those things and throw them down on paper. You're not prioritizing this list yet. You're not filtering it. You're just throwing everything you can think of that's bothering you, that needs to be done, that you want to see changed . . . down on that pad of paper.
Once that's done, then sort the list into 3 categories: Must Do; Should Do; and Would Like To Do.
If you get all the way through that step, you've just solved your "I don't know what to do first" problem. You've got a list of maybe 3, 5, 10 or more Must Do projects. That's a perfect place to start.
TIME TO START
Now that you've got those Must Do projects clearly identified, now what you (and I need) is a little momentum. We need to see some success. We need to see how good it feels to cross something off the list . . . and we need to leverage that energy, that momentum, into more accomplished projects.
So pick one of the smaller Must Do projects and get it done. You don't need to tackle it all in one work session, but don't start any other projects from your list until this first one is done. That's really key! You need to start, work through, and finish this first one.
FIGURE IT OUT or HIRE IT OUT!
Sometimes it's having too many projects that causes us to get stuck. But sometimes we're stuck because we don't know how to do something. We know we don't know how to do it, we're convinced it may be difficult to figure it out, and so we just linger in limbo.
I do that all the time. I'm too cheap to hire things out usually (and I feel that I should be able to figure them out and do them); but I'm also convinced that certain things are going to present a ridiculous learning curve. And so I just push the project to the back of my mind and hang out in that horrible limbo.
That's not productive--obviously! And if that's you, it's time to either jump in and learn the skills necessary, or hire the work done. I know that hiring things done sometimes feels like a cop-out. I also know it sounds expensive. But it also sounds like progress. And seeing projects get crossed off my list is really going to ease up on some of my anxiety levels!
So, if you know you just aren't going to have the time to tackle a project, or if you just don't feel you can learn the skills quickly enough, or if the tools are so specialized that you don't want to buy them . . . bring in a professional. It's worth it!
If you're bound and determine to tackle the project . . . then it's time to jump in, learn what you need to learn, and get it done. Stop delaying. Look at your list of things that need to be done and put an asterisk by any that are going to require you to learn something new. And then make work of learning those skills!
My son had a clicking in his car for months. It was driving him nuts. He looked up the problem, but was convinced the fix was just beyond his abilities. He didn't want to drop the money to bring it in and so he just tolerated it. Until he couldn't tolerate it any longer. Finally, he devoted a Saturday to the project and planned to spend the morning watching YouTube videos until he understood what he needed to do. Turns out, after watching the second 4-minute video, he knew everything he needed to know. 20 minutes later, he had the part out and was off to the parts store for a replacement. Another 20 minutes later and the whole thing was fixed.
He'd delayed for months because he'd convinced himself it was tougher than it was. That could easily be the case with projects that are delaying you and I. Find out! Identify them, dig into them, and who knows . . . you might find that something you've delayed doing for months can be fixed in a few hours.
IT'S A MARATHON
Home ownership, maintenance, and decorating is a marathon. Unless you've got some hard and fast deadline (selling the house, hosting a party, etc), you have time to work through the projects at your pace.
So, personally, I need to take a step back. Take a deep breath. Make a list . . . and start working at it, one project at a time.
The State of Real Estate [7:09 - 31:19]The world of Real Estate has been crazy for a while. Today we're talking with Sue Prins and Ginger Herman from Sue Prins Group Five-Star Real Estate Leaders about what it looks like for buyers and sellers.
- SUE PRINS: 616-723-2400
- GINGER HERMAN: 616-633-5880
Pine Staining Woes (and Fixes) [31:20 - 35:58]When staining pine, it's not uncommon to see the results turn out looking blotchy. If you're looking to fix that, we've got some steps that will help.
On Today's EpisodeSurge Protectors Vs. Power Strips [00:00 - 06:57]With some recent lightning storms, we've heard a couple horror stories where people lost a lot of the electronic devices in their home after a power surge. There's a simple, inexpensive solution that most of us know about . . . but not all of us use: surge protectors.
And before you tune out because you think you've got a couple surge protectors on your devices, make sure that what you're using isn't just a power strip. They look like surge protectors, but don't do a whole lot when it comes to protecting your stuff! Here are a couple of great articles that spell it out clearly:
- Surge Protector Vs. Power Strip Vs. UPS
- What's the Difference Between a Power Strip and Surge Protector?
Worm Farming [06:58 - 18:55]Hailey's still on the "composting train" and now she's digging into worm farming. It's a fun project that could help you turn all your food scraps into valuable compost--black gold!
- Worm Farming Instructions
Element Guard from Benjamin Moore [18:56 - 30:52]Every now and then a paint miracle emerges from a lab somewhere . . . like some sort of superhero. A number of years back, it was Scuff-X. Now, we're looking at Element Guard from Benjamin Moore--an exterior paint that allows you to paint even when rain is only an hour away....
Clean Those Gutters! [30:53 - 38:52]It's not been a nice Spring . . . at least not yet. And there's a good chance you haven't worked on getting your gutters cleared after winter. But with all the Spring rain just around the corner . . . it's time to get the gunk out!
On Today's EpisodeSpring Cleaning Around the World [00:00 - 11:49]Spring cleaning reaches back to Biblical times and beyond... We explore how the world approaches everyone's favorite Spring pasttime.
20 Minutes to Clean [11:50 - 18:59]We love the idea of a clean house, but getting started can be tough. We've got a trick that will get you moving. Best of all? It's painless.
Can I Paint THAT??? [19:00 - 32:59]We see it all the time on TV and the web: people painting EVERYTHING. Tile floors, backsplashes, countertops, and even dishwashers. We see that and wonder: can I do that?? The bigger question is: should you?
Check in with Hailey [33:00 - 39:10]Hailey's WAY pregnant and we get an update on how things are going...
On Today's EpisodeApril Fool's Day History [00:00 - 08:01]It's April Fool's Day and that means people all over the place are going to be pranking friends or getting pranked. But where does the day come from in the first place? The history is a little surprising!
Best Hoaxes Through the Years [08:02 - 18:59]In digging into the history of April Fool's Day, we ran into a number of amazing hoaxes sprung on the unsuspecting masses throughout the years. Here are some of our favorites....
- 100 Best April Fool's Day Hoaxes of All Time
Is Raspberry Blush Still Terrible? [19:00 - 32:02]That's a bit harsh! We don't think Benjamin Moore's Raspberry Blush is a terrible color . . . but we DO know that the color of the year for 2023 is pushing the boundary. Today we talk about how the bold colors of 2023 can be used in our homes.
If It's Worth Doing, It's Worth Doing Poorly [32:03 - 39:00]We're used to hearing the phrase: "If it's worth doing, it's worth doing well." But today, we're putting a spin on it.
On Today's EpisodeThe Review Review [00:00 - 11:36]We revisit a few of our previous reviews and recommendations to see if they stood the test of time.
Lomi Countertop Composter
You can check out our original segment on Lomi down below. But the long and short of it is . . . after nearly a year of ownership, the luster has worn off a bit! The Lomi unit is great and does exactly what it's supposed to do . . . it's just that Hailey doesn't find herself using it for a variety of reasons.
- LOMI Countertop Composter Original Review
GOVEE Humidifier and Hygrometer
Another product we initially loved was the GOVEE Humidifier and Bluetooth Hygrometer. In this case, after a winter of use, Dan still LOVES it. There are a lot of different sizes available, but for the small room Dan needed to humidify, this has worked flawlessly. The Hygrometer works with the Humidifier to keep the room at a constant relative humidity of about 48-50%. And when the water is low . . . the GOVEE unit sends an alert through a phone app. Check out the original review below as well as the items themselves!
- Govee Smart WiFi Humidifier
- Govee Bluetooth Hygrometer
- Govee Original Review
Dawn Platinum Powerwash Dish Spray
A final product we looked at, back in February, is this dish spray you've probably seen commercials for. Hailey loved it back in February and since then, Dan's given it a try. After nearly a couple months of use, Dan agrees: this stuff is good . . . but he, of course, has found a cheaper solution that works for him . . . .
- Original Dawn Review
Hand Cleaner VS. Silly Putty [11:37 - 18:59]Hailey's friend, Amber visited and accidentally left a little silly putty embedded in the new rug in the nursery. Fortunately a great little hand cleaner was able to remove it in seconds.
And while we know silly putty in carpets isn't terribly common . . . this hand cleaner is great for cleaning up after paint and stain projects (latex AND oil), automotive work, small engine repair . . . you name it! It's a great product and is worth a look. Check out the link below:
- Kresto Hand Cleaner
The Pros and Cons of Induction Stoves [18:59 - 32:07]Induction cooking is not new, but a lot of us are unfamiliar with the technology. Or, if we know about it, we may only know one side of the story!
Before you run out to snatch up an induction stove AND before you discount them as something you'd never want, check out the pros and cons. No matter which side of the fence you're on, we think you'll be (at least a little) surprised.
Superhero Spotlight: STIX Primer [32:07 - 39:19]STIX primer from Insl-X (a Benjamin Moore company), is a bonding primer that solves paint problems all day long!
On Today's EpisodeCooking with Cast Iron [00:00 - 13:29]Cast Iron is old school, heavy, and a traditional weapon against burglars . . . but is it still serious cookware? Absolutely . . . it's the Serious-est.
- Pros and Cons of Cast Iron Cookware
Color Sample Sale [13:30 - 19:00]Benjamin Moore Color Samples are the ideal way to make sure you've chosen the right color. The rest of this month, they're 50% off!
How to Find the Right Contractor Everytime! [19:01 - 32:18]Hiring the right contractor is all about starting at the right time and looking for some signs as you get your quotes. We'll tell you everything you need to know!
Paint Finishes--What Goes Where? [19:02 - 39:28]Paint finishes can be confusing. We'll break it down and . . . believe it or not . . . make it entertaining!
On Today's EpisodeIt's our 300th Episode and we're kicking back and celebrating!
300 Episodes [00:00 - 07:25]We make a correction to our Chicken Conversation from last week and talk about the fun we've had making 300 episodes!
Extension Cords [07:26 - 18:59]Getting the right extension cord is a big deal! In this segment, we talk about everything you need to know to make the right choice.
Powering 15 amp tools for 25 feet? Go with a 14 gauge cord
Powering 15 amp tools for 50 feet? Go with a 12 gauge cord
Powering 15 amp tools for 100 feet? Go with a 10 gauge cord
Some Resources:
- Determining the Right Extension Cord
- Choosing the Correct Extension Cord
- Selecting the Right Extension Cord for Your Power Tools
- Extension Cord Chart
- What Size Extension Cord Do I Need?
- Extension Cord Buyer Guide
RepcoLite Rewind: Painting Your Cabinets [19:00 - 29:45]This segment for our Detroit listeners comes from Episode 220.
Faking It With Paint [29:46 - 42:39]Paint can cover your walls with color . . . but you can do a lot of other creative things using just a small amount of paint! We talk about using paint to create wainscoting, "big" trim, "wallpapered" walls and more.
Laser Levels and Why You Need One! [42:39 - 50:12]In the projects we talked about in the last segment, a tool that will simplify your work dramatically is a laser level. We talk about a number of different projects where a laser level is a must have!
On Today's EpisodeInflation Chickens [00:00 - 11:03]With rising egg prices, there may be just ONE reasonable way to proceed: raising our own chickens. Inflation Chickens are a real thing and we're wondering whether or not it makes sense!
Nurseries (Again) [11:04 - 26:52]We talked about some nursery struggles last week. This week, we want to talk about the best paint choices if you're painting while pregnant. And, we want to spend some time talking about how to pull a nursery together so you don't have to re-do the entire thing in just a couple years when your new baby is a toddler.
RepcoLite Rewind for Detroit: Perfect Project Planning [26:53 - 38:54]We go back to an old segment from April of 2022 and discuss some key steps to take if you want to start crossing projects off your to-do list!
Sad, Neglected Spaces [48:54 - 59:24]Every home has spaces that are not as nice as others. There are different reasons for this, but the bottom line is that neglected spaces drag us down. They hover over our heads and are constant reminders that there's more work to be done! Let's figure out where our neglected spaces are, why we've neglected them . . . and let's get them taken care of!
On Today's EpisodeIt's a banner day on the show as we get to break some breaking news....
Dormant Seeding [00:00 - 06:50]Hailey missed the opportunity in the fall to overseed her lawn. Disappointed, she turned to the internet and discovered the concept of Dormant Seeding. If your lawn has some bare spots and you'd like to get a leg up on spring, maybe a little dormant seeding is just what's needed.
SOME RESOURCES:
- How to Sow Grass Seed in Winter
- Winter Dormant Seeding
- Dormant Seeding
Benjamin Moore Budget-Friendly Paint [06:51 - 18:59]Sometimes, we can convince ourselves that Benjamin Moore is the paint that you buy if you've got money to burn. Turns out, Benjamin Moore offers some great budget-friendly options. In this segment, we shine a light on just a couple of them....
REPCOLITE REWIND: Picture Rails [19:00 - 31:48]This blast from the past for our Detroit listeners is from March 19, 2022.
The BIG Announcement [31:49 - 52:31]We have a special guest who joins us to break some pretty big news....
Decorating a Nursery [52:32 - 1:01:55]Decorating a nursery seems fun and exciting . . . but then, there are so many considerations to make. Before long the process becomes a chore rather than the exciting project it should be!
On Today's EpisodeUnderstanding Paint Cure [00:00 - 08:20]Yes, we are literally doing a segment on watching paint dry. But it's important info! Paint can dry to the touch in hours or less . . . but it doesn't reach it's full durability for much longer. We've got the info that will help you make sure you're next paint project turns out beautifully.
High Efficiency Wood Burners: Tax Credit [08:21 - 18:59]Kurt Zink, Fire Scientist from Vanderwall Brothers stops by to talk about high efficiency wood burners and a 2023 Tax Credit.
- Biomass 2023 Tax Credit info
RepcoLite Rewind: Caroline's Story [19:00 - 31:18]This time, we head back to January 2021 to talk about a friend of ours who lived through a HUGE color-selecting fiasco. Happily, there are some takeaways that can help all of us choose the right color every time.
High Efficiency Wood Burners: Practical Info [31:19 - 42:00]Kurt Zink is back for part 2 of our interview on wood burners and this time we dig into the practical side of things. How do wood burners compare with gas? How do we know which unit is right for us? And so on!
- Reach out to Kurt at Vanderwall Brothers and Heritage Fireplace
- For Detroit Listeners, check out Creekside Hearth and Patio in Almont
Killing the Winter Blues (Real Good) [42:01 - 58:35]We recorded this segment on a sunny February morning. Three hours later, we had a wonderful rain/snow mix falling down with 2 inches or more already on the ground. Perfect case in point: winter isn't done, yet! If the winter blues are dragging you down . . . we might have the fix!
On Today's EpisodeToday's show is really all about sneaking pops of color into unexpected places! It can have a huge impact on your interior design . . . but where do you draw the line? How much is too much? And which spots are the right ones?
The Bold New Colors of Kohler [00:00 - 19:00]Kohler has just announced two new colors that we'll be seeing in kitchen sinks, bathroom sinks, and even toilets! These are historical colors and one of them, Spring Green, first debuted nearly 100 years ago in 1927. What's old is new again!
We discuss the new colors, the history behind them, and the modernism that spawned them in the first place.
Also, here are some links to some great pieces from Kohler's Marketing Past:
- Retro Renovation: The First Colors for Bathroom Fixtures
REPCOLITE REWIND--Painting Ceilings, Step-By-Step [19:01 - 30:45]Our show is now playing in the Detroit market as well as in Grand Rapids. However, the Detroit station has a slightly different format, so to fill the extra time, we're playing some great segments from past episodes that the Detroit audience has never heard. Here's a step-by-step guide to painting ceilings that first aired in February of 2022.
Wallpapering the Closet? [30:45 - 51:12]I've wallpapered walls and rooms and even bookcases and the bottoms of drawers . . . but I've never wallpapered a closet. Sara Pen has, though--and she LOVED the results. Sara's a busy mom who's spent the last few years raising her kids, renovating her home, and recording it all on social media. She's got a lot of great, creative ideas and has tackled some fun projects. We sit down with her to discuss one of her latest . . . .
- Find Sara on Instagram!
On Today's EpisodeOn this episode, we focus on a design trend that's been "a thing" for a while: using plywood as a finish material in interior design. We discuss the idea and toss around a few things to consider if you're thinking about jumping in!
Dawn Powerwash Review [00:00 - 13:46]Maybe you've seen the commercials . . . maybe you've been skeptical. Put that all aside. Hailey's been using this new dish washing miracle and LOVES it!
Aura Bath and Spa: Not Just for Bathrooms? [13:47 - 24:55]We draw from a lengthy conversation we had with our Detroit Benjamin Moore rep, Jon Potoski regarding Aura Bath and Spa. Jon isn't in the segment (though he was in the studio and on the show last week!), but in our conversations, he pointed out how a growing number of contractors in his area are using Bath and Spa outside of the bathroom because they're looking for a "flatter" matte than Aura Matte. Bath and Spa fills that need.
Jon explained that the contractors who've begun using it on walls throughout the home are finding it a nice switch from other interior flats offered by other paint companies. Aura Bath and Spa provides a similar finish to a flat enamel, offering some washability with lower sheen than a standard matte. We encourage any contractors who are using a flat paint from a competitor but who'd like to step up the coverage and hide as well as the washability of the product they're using, to give Aura Bath and Spa a try.
We highlight those points, explain how flatter finishes hide imperfections and texture better, and then, of course, camp on Bath and Spa as the ideal bathroom paint.
Plywood and Interior Design: A Bridge Too Far? [24:55 - 45:22]The last two segments are a discussion about a friend of Hailey's who's using clear-coated plywood as full wall accents in her new home. She had even considered using it as the finish wood for her kitchen cabinets, but eventually decided against it.
As strange as it may seem, clear-coated plywood has been a trend in interior design for a while. It leans into a Scandinavian style of design and while it's more popular on the different coasts, it's still something we see from time to time in the Midwest.
We feel it's largely a reaction to the relative cold and dreary nature of gray--a color that's dominated interiors for a while now. People are shifting towards warm natural tones and plywood brings that . . . along with texture which adds to its appeal.
However, there's a concern when jumping on trends. We spend a fair amount of time urging listeners to make their design choices based on solid likes and dislikes rather than by following the newest thing.
We talk about paint and wallpaper as obvious alternatives to going with full plywood. After all, the plywood is trending because of the warmth and color it brings to the space. Paint and wallpaper can do all of that with much less commitment! We also talk about the concerns revolving around trying to change a plywood interior when/if we ever get tired of the look.
The big takeaway at the end is something we highlight all the time: trends are great as starting points and for idea-gathering. But in the end, you need to love your home. Choose what you like regardless of what the trends are telling you....
On Today's EpisodeAre You Moisturizing? [00:00 - 08:44]Here's the video Dan was talking about at the beginning of the segment!
We talked about Dan’s smart humidifier last week
- How it can be an essential home appliance during the winter
- Which reminded us there are simple maintenance steps many of us forget about during winter months!
- Conditioning the wood and leather in our home
As wood or leather loses moisture, it shrinks, which can result in cracks in your beautiful wood cutting board or favorite chair.
Even if you don't have leather furniture this same rule applies to leather bags, coats, shoes etc.
Make a plan to oil your wood cutting boards and furniture once a month during the winter, or whenever they feel very dry to the touch.
The entire process takes less than five minutes—and it could help preserve your cutting boards and furniture for years to come.
Cutting Boards:
- First, make sure your cutting board is clean and thoroughly dry.
- Using a clean cloth apply CUTTING BOARD OIL to the surface of the board
- distribute the oil evenly
- let the oil soak in for a few hours or up to overnight
- Using another clean cloth, wipe off any excess oil. Your cutting board should look shiny and revived, without being damp to the touch.
For Wooden Furniture:
Note: Follow these steps for oil-and-wax or stain-and-wax finishes, not painted or lacquered pieces.
- Wipe the furniture with a damp cloth to remove any dirt or dust. Follow with a dry cloth to remove any moisture.
- Apply wood polish to a clean cloth, then wipe it onto the furniture, working in the direction of the grain.
- Let the oil soak in for about 30 minutes before buffing in and wiping away any excess oil.
Leather Furniture:
Leather lasts forever with the right amount of care and upkeep, so why not get the most bang for your buck
It’s recommended to clean light-colored leather every six months and dark-colored leather once a year.
- start by vacuuming the leather couch to get rid of any crumbs. Then dust it, if necessary, to remove any lingering dirt.
- Make sure it's completely dry
- Now it's time to get down to business and use cleaners.
- Leather cleaners can help break down the dirt and stains to make your leather couch look like new.
- Some products are 2-in-1 and contain both the cleaner and conditioner.
- This part is very important - Spray the cleaner onto a cloth, rather than directly onto the furniture!
- Prevent it from leaving spray marks.
- Wipe lightly all around, making sure to clean the edges, nooks, and crannies.
- Work from top to bottom to avoid any uneven polish marks.
- After you've cleaned, make sure to wipe away any excess cleaner before conditioning the couch.
- Grab your favorite conditioner, either in spray or bottle form, and apply a small amount onto a clean cloth.
- Conditioners are great because they contain healthy oils to make your furniture look fresh, smell phenomenal, and stay moisturized. Extends the life of your furniture!
- Once you've finished buffing in the conditioner
- Allow the leather to dry for an hour or so to let the product seep in
- Avoid getting the oil on your clothing.
Damaged Drywall Repair [08:45 - 18:59]Ever removed some base board or maybe a backsplash or a toilet paper holder and ended up peeling off some of your drywall's face paper? If you've got brown paper exposed on your wall board, you'll need to seal it before you mud it or you could be dealing with annoying bubbling! Gardz is a waterbased product that comes to the rescue!
Here's a quick overview of the steps involved when using Gardz:
- FIRST: remove the curling paper mess. You can do this by running a joint knife over the surface or doing a light sanding. Sometimes, that paper will continue to peel. If that's the case, score around the damaged area with a razor. This will prevent the peeling from continuing past the scored line.
- SECOND: Get rid of the dust and apply a good coat of Gardz. It's quite runny, so don't use a thick-napped roller cover. A 1/4" microfiber roller cover is ideal! Roll an even coat over the damaged areas, but don't overapply. Let it dry for about 3 hours.
- THIRD: Gardz dries to a very hard finish. When the surface is dry, the curled pieces of brown paper that were not sanded off earlier will be easy to remove by running joint knife over the surface. A light sanding would work too.
- FOURTH: Apply a light skim coat of drywall compound and apply more coats of compound as necessary.
- FINALLY: When finished, prime the area with another coat of Gardz, or even just a single coat of your finish paint. Then coat the entire area with an even coat of finish!
A Quick Step for Flawless Results [18:59 - 32:03]We're joined by Benjamin Moore Territory Rep, Jon Potoski from the Metro Detroit area. Jon makes the case that a quick pole sanding between coats of paint will produce flawless results everytime!
The Anatomy of Trim [32:03 - 39:29]Our homes are full of different pieces of trim. Many of us know the names of a lot of those pieces . . . but there are probably a few you don't know and possibly even a few you're referring to incorrectly! Knowing more about our homes is always better . . . so here's a quick discussion on trim!
- Here's the blogpost Dan referred to about Chair Rail
On Today's EpisodeLaundry Bag Hacks [00:00 - 06:14]You've heard of mesh laundry bags, I'm sure. And maybe you've had good luck using them for their intended purpose: laundry. But there are a lot of other creative uses for these cool, mesh bags! Here are just a few:
BABY STUFF
New baby in the house? It can be really tough to take care and keep track of all their gear once you've tossed it into the washer. If you've struggled with that, give this a try: toss socks, bibs, hats, nursing pads, and any of their other tiny accoutrements into these zippered washer bags and keep track of them while you wash them!
MORE BABY STUFF
Sticking with the baby theme . . . bottle parts, pacifiers, and other things like this are usually dishwasher-friendly. However, they're tiny and can easily fall through the gaps in the racks. Toss those pieces and parts (after confirming that they're dishwasher-safe) into mesh laundry bags and run them through the dishwasher that way.
BEACH TOYS
Beach toys are a mess! The sand gets everywhere. So, toss them in one of the big, drawstring mesh laundry bags and carry them around that way. When the kids are done playing with them at the beach, pack them into the mesh bag, and before you toss it in the car, walk it out into the lake and rinse everything off in the bag!
BATH TOYS
Bath toys can end up filling the whole tub . . . Instead, get one of the big, drawstring mesh bags hang it from the shower head. Use that for toy storage! Even though they're stored wet, they'll easily dry through the mesh.
BIG PUZZLES or TOYS with PIECES
Big, wood-block puzzles are fun, but it's not long before all the pieces are shuffled everywhere. Store those puzzles in separate zippered bags and keep everything together. Or, what about Mr. Potato Head toys or other things like that? Want Mr. Potato Head's eyes and mouths and his little tie and feet to all be available for the next day? Store him and all his parts in a laundry bag.
There are tons of other mesh laundry bag hacks! If you have a few that you use on a regular basis, let us know! You can email us at radio@repcolite.com.
The Humidifier [06:15 - 18:58]Dan bought a new guitar and quickly realized that in order to maintain it throughout the winter months, he was going to need a humidifier. After doing some digging, he purchased the humidifer in the links below as well as an accompanying hygrometer.
Together, the system is working brilliantly: He can set the desired humidity and that's it. The humidifier and hygrometer work together to maintain the room at exactly that relative humidity. The unit is quiet, easy to fill and clean, and because the humidifier turns itself on and off as necessary, he finds he doesn't need to fill it as often as other humidifier that simply run all day until their empty or manually turned off.
- Govee Smart WiFi Humidifier
- Govee Bluetooth Hygrometer
Bold Colors Without the Blues [18:59 - 39:21]The 2023 Color Trends from Benjamin Moore are bold! Many of the colors in that palette are saturated and powerful. With rich color being on trend for the year, it's important to understand some key concepts regarding how to work with bold tones. After all, we don't want you to do all that work to paint a room only to have to wear sunglasses whenever you're in the space!
THE IMPORTANCE OF SCALE
It's easy to forget or fail to realize, but just because a bold color looks great on a small photograph, or in a piece of art, that doesn't mean it will look great in your room when it's painted on every wall.
Colors look and FEEL differently when we're immersed in them versus just looking at them in a contained area like a picture frame or on the pages of a magazine.
This is true even for photographs of rooms that demonstrate the color you think will look amazing in your space. You're still only looking at a single, small-scale representation of that color. You're not seeing it in your periphery as you stand in a space. It's one thing to look at a yellow picture held out in front of you. It's something else entirely to stand in a yellow room where the color streams at you from every angle. The yellow in your room--even if it's the same yellow as what's on the photograph--will feel significantly more powerful because there's so much more of it!
So remember that scale matters when choosing bold colors and consider opting for a more muted version of the color you think you want. A great place to start is with Benjamin Moore's Williamsburg Collection. There are a lot of rich tones here, but they're made to scale well!
GET INPUT FROM EXPERTS
At all the RepcoLite stores in West Michigan and in the Metro Detroit area (formerly Teknicolor Paints), you'll find experts who work with paint colors all day long. We've helped people find the right color for their home--and have steered others away from the WRONG colors--for years.
We can give you some solid input regarding your color choices and work with you to make sure you get something you will love! Don't overlook the benefits of that free assistance!
SAMPLE, SAMPLE, SAMPLE
Benjamin Moore Color Samples are 1/2 pint samples mixed up to any color you need! They run around $5 and they're a great way to actually get the paint you'll be using and put it on the wall so you can make sure this is the right color for you.
Samples are great to do with any color change, but with bold, rich colors, we strongly recommend painting not just a small 2' x 2' square, but rather as much space as you can! You want to get a good look at that color before you commit!
On Today's EpisodeVillage Custom Interiors: Which Countertop is Right for You? [00:00 - 13:34]Dan and Hailey are joined by Darin DeHaan and Tara Ezinga from Village Custom Interiors to discuss the pros and cons of popular countertop materials for kitchens and bathrooms.
Steam Cleaning Saved Me Again [13:34 - 19:00]Hailey’s New Years Eve celebration almost ended in tragedy. Hear all about how a steam cleaner saved the day and why everyone could use a steamer.
Paint Color Tips for New Builds [19:01 - 32:53]Dan and Hailey discuss a recent color consultation and the tips everyone needs to know when picking paint colors.
Order of decoratingPaint color selection should come last
Make sure lighting is in place
Start with Neutrals
Makes sure you have samples of all of your finishes
- Flooring
- Cabinets
- Tile
- Counter
- Upholstery
Always Sample!
Tips to Follow When Asking for Decorating Advice [32:53 - 39:30]Dan and Hailey discuss a quote they recently heard “before someone had an opinion you had a goal”. Asking for decoration advice can be tricky but there are a few tips that will help you navigate those waters without losing sight of your own goal.
On Today's EpisodeRodents and PEX Piping [00:00 - 06:37]PEX piping is becoming more and more popular and for good reason! There are a ton of pros to using PEX . However, there is one BIG CON. Dan and Hailey discuss how to avoid running into problems if you have PEX plumbing in your home.
Are You Paying More for Your Water Than You Should? [06:38 - 19:00]Dan and Hailey are Joined by Mark from Great Lakes Plumbing to discuss plumbing maintenance and common signs that you have a plumbing issue that is costing you money every month!
- Contact Mark at the Plumber is Here!
Give Yourself a Break (and Other Lessons from 2022) [19:01 - 39:31]As we say goodbye to 2022, Dan and Hailey look back at the year and discuss the most important lessons they learned. If you’re a DIY’er or an aspiring DIY’er, these are rules to live by.
On Today's EpisodeThe History of the Christmas Orange[00:00 - 08:12]Many of us decorate with oranges for Christmas. A few of us even continue the tradition of giving them out as gifts. But where does that tradition come from? Hailey has some answers....
The History of Snowmen [08:13 - 18:59]Snowmen are not a new concept. In fact . . . SOME archaeologists postulate that they were possibly a favorite past time of primitive man! We've got the whole story here!
A Christmas Carol [19:00 - 30:55]Dan's favorite Christmas tradition is watching every rendition of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" that he can find! It's a great little Christmas story AND, surprisingly, it quite possibly inspired the Christmas celebrations we enjoy today!
Also, as promised, here are a list of Dan's favorite movie versions:
- Scrooge with Albert Finney (1970) Yes, it's a musical and yes, there are a number of prominent critics who hated it. But this is the version I grew up with and it's my family's favorite.
- A Christmas Carol with George C. Scott Although just a made-for-TV movie, this one is also great. No singing, but George C. Scott is a pleasure to watch!
- A Christmas Carol with Patrick Stewart Another TV movie, but it's still great.
Finally, here's the play we found online!
Christmas Memories and Contest Winners [30:55 - 39:30]Before we announce our contest winners from our big Christmas Giveaway, we reminisce about some of our favorite (and most brutal) Christmases!
On Today's EpisodeThe Best Dishwasher Detergents [00:00 - 06:50]The right dishwasher detergent matters--not just for sparkly results, but also in the protection of your dishwasher and even the prevention of food poisoning!
Hailey's done the research and here are her recommendations:
- Cascade Platinum Dishwasher Pods
- Ecover Automatic Dishwasher Tablets Zero
- Finish Hard Water Detergent
A Ceiling Paint and Primer Chat [06:51 - 18:59]Kevin Hermann from Benjamin Moore joins us to chat about ceiling paint, primers, paint and primer all-in-ones and more.
Last Minute Winter Checklist [19:00 - 30:57]Are you ready for winter?? In West Michigan, we had an early snowfall that may have thrown you off your schedule. Here's our checklist to make sure you're prepared for another Michigan Winter:
- Add fuel stabilizer to your lawnmowers
- Remove the mower batteries or put on a trickle charger
- Put battery-powered lawn equipment batteries inside but NOT on charger!
- Is your snowblower ready?
- Are your gutters cleaned out?
- and more....
Ceilings: Always the Forgotten Wall [19:00 - 30:57]Whenever we do a repaint of a room, it's good practice to throw a coat of paint on the ceilings first, to freshen them up! But many of us (Dan and Hailey included) don't do that! Here's why it's a good idea....
On Today's Episode:Making Christmas Brighter [00:00 - 05:13]Christmas is rapidly approaching! And while that fills many of us with excitement and anticipation, there are many families in our community who will struggle! Angel Tree is a ministry run by the Salvation Army that allows us to help make Christmas just a bit brighter for kids in our area.
It's a great opportunity for us to get involved and help someone in a very tangible way. Find an Angel Tree donation site, grab a tag from the tree, buy an appropriate gift and return it unwrapped! The Salvation Army will make sure it gets delivered to a child or teen in need before Christmas!
We've got Angel Trees at 4 different RepcoLite locations:
- 473 W. 17th Street in Holland
- 860 84th Street SW, Suite 2 in Byron Center
- 2840 Broadmoor Ave SE in Grand Rapids
- 912 Fulton St SE in Grand Rapids
You can find other locations as well as gift ideas here!
The 5 Most Common Reasons Your Dryer Isn't Working! [05:14 - 18:59]When an appliance quits working, it's frustrating. It's concerning. It's inconvenient. And it's usually expensive. Happily as DIYers, there are a number of appliance fixes we can implement on our own--for very little money. Today we talk about dryers and 5 of the main reasons yours may not be working right now.
Start Troubleshooting with the Simple Stuff
- Is it plugged in?
- Did the breaker trip?
- Is it just overloaded with clothes?
- Is an obstruction preventing the drum from spinning?
- Is the door closed firmly?
Common Problem 1: Is the Door Switch Working?
Once you know the simple stuff isn't the problem, you need to dig deeper. One place to look that could be a cause of the problem is the door switch. Every dryer has one--it's a little lever or button that's visible when you open the door.
- Is it physically broken? Sometimes the tab/lever breaks off and will no longer catch when the door closes. Replacing it is easy!
- If it's not physically broken, it still could be faulty or defective. Look online and determine how to access your door switch and test with a multi-meter.
- *IMPORTANT: If the door switch isn't physically broken, before I took the dryer apart to test the switch, I'd instead pop the bottom access panel off and check for a broken belt (Common Problem 2 below).*
Common Problem 2: Is the Drive Belt Broken?
Another common problem is the drive belt. You access this by removing the lower access panel on the dryer and finding the belt that loops over the drum, around an idler pulley and then to the motor.
- In many dryers, the idler pulley is on a lever switch.
- When the belt is in place and taut, the switch is engaged and the machine works.
- When the belt is broken, the switch is disengaged and nothing happens.
Common Problem 3: Is the Thermal Fuse Tripped?
Another common problem is the thermal fuse. Since the 80's, these are installed on dryers as a safety mechanisms to prevent fires. If the dryer is overheating, the thermal fuse trips and shuts off power. It's not a device that can be reset--it needs to be replaced. Happily, it's inexpensive.
- Consult your owner's manual or search for your model online to find the location of the thermal fuse.
- With the machine unplugged, remove the two wire leads and test the fuse with a multi-meter.
- If it's not working, it has to be replaced.
Common Problem 4: Is the On/Off Button Defective?
A last common (and simple) reason your dryer could quit working is a faulty or defective switch.
- Consult your owner's manual or search your model online to determine how to access the on/off switch
- With the machine unplugged, check the switch for continuity with a multi-meter
Common Problem 5: The Motor? Is it the Motor?
Finally, if none of those problems seem to be the reason your dryer isn't working, it definitely could be the motor. Usually this is a job for a service tech!
RepcoLite's Biggest News Ever! [19:00 - 32:48]We're joined by Dan Altena, president of RepcoLite to talk about some huge news! RepcoLite has just acquired the 5 Teknicolor Paint stores in the Metro Detroit area, making RepcoLite West Michigan's largest (and favorite) Benjamin Moore dealer!
4 Steps to Flawless Touch-ups [32:48 - 39:29]We're heading into Christmas and we know that many folks aren't thinking about tackling big repaints right now. However, you may be looking at some spots that need touch-ups. Here are four steps to ensure you get great results!
On Today's EpisodeToday's a HUGE day! We cover a cool project, talk about some great board games, and finally (and more importantly) launch our big Christmas Scavenger Hunt for 2022!
The Pros and Cons of Painting the Subfloor [00:00 - 9:17]Watch on YouTube
An interesting project that's making the rounds on the internet is turning your subfloor into a finished floor by painting it. Is it a good idea? Or is it one of those really ridiculous internet projects? We talk pros and cons--you decide!
Paint Stories: We All Start Somewhere [9:18 - 18:59]Watch on YouTube
We're joined in the studio by Bob Troszok, Manager of RepcoLite's Plainfield Avenue location and host of The Board Game Shenanigans Podcast. In this segment we talk about Bob's favorite paint project of all time and how much he's grown and learned as a painter. The bottom line is simple: nobody starts as an expert. But you're never going to get good at anything unless you jump in!
Board Game Shenanigans [19:00 - 32:01]Watch on YouTube
Bob Troszok, host of The Board Game Shenanigans Podcast joins us to talk about his top recommendations. Whether you're looking for a party game, or a great gift, Bob's got you covered!
- Learn more about The Board Game Shenanigans Podcast
The RepcoLite Christmas Scavenger Hunt 2022 [32:01 - 39:30]Watch on YouTube
It's time to launch our big Christmas contest for 2022! We've got all the info and a HINT that can help you get your first entry!
- Learn more about the contest here!
On Today's EpisodeIt's time for our annual gift guide: a time-honored classic! In this episode, we discuss Dan-and-Hailey-approved Christmas gifts. If you're looking for something that's a step above the usual, check out our guide!
We'll also dig into the 5 D's of Home Staging with home staging expert, Natalie Kaman from At Home Design and Staging!
No Fail Christmas Gifts [00:00 - 18:58]Watch on YouTube
Buying gifts can be tough! It's difficult to find something unique, intriguing, or interesting. We've got a few recommendations that are definitely "off the beaten path!"
THE LITTLE BOOK OF HYGGE
Hygge has been described as everything from "the art of creating intimacy", "cosines of the soul", "the absence of annoyance" to "taking pleasure from the presence of soothing things", "cozy togetherness" and "the pursuit of everyday pleasures".
This book is for anyone wanting to slow down a bit and find more joy in the simple things!
STAR WARS -- SHAKESPEAREAN EDITIONS
Dan stumbled into these books by accident. They are renditions of Star Wars movies we all know and love, but done with a Shakespearean twist! Each book is written as a play in Shakespearean meter and language. His entire family has had tons of fun sitting around the kitchen table, taking roles, and play-acting some of their favorite movies. It's a great introduction to Shakespeare (even though it's NOT Shakespeare), and it's a great opportunity to break out the voice-actor inside each of us! Check them out! You'll thank us later.
FAMILY PASSES to the BLANDFORD NATURE CENTER
There's so much going on at the Blandford Nature Center, it's tough to say it in just a few sentences. They've got trails to walk, but so much more! With everything from various classes and workshops to a community-supported farm, they're definitely worth checking out! A family membership may be the perfect gift for someone looking to spend a little more time away from a screen....
DAN'S TOP GUN CHRISTMAS
OK. Dan finally saw Top Gun: Maverick and he was over-the-moon excited. Having just received his motorcycle endorsement, all he needs to fully embrace the supreme coolness of the movie, is to get a pilot's license. That's surely no small feat. And so he wrote it off as something that just isn't to be.
And then he discovered the concept of Discovery Flights! A number of piloting schools in our area (Lavion Aero in Zeeland and West Michigan Flight Academy in Sparta, for example) offer an opportunity to fly a plane!
Ranging from $99 to $170 (and up), you can purchase a gift certificate for one of these flights. The lucky person who gets it will do everything from taking part in a pre-flight check, to taxiing down the runway, to actually flying the plane, and bringing it in for a landing. All with close supervision, of course! But it's still a great way to see if piloting is for you. AND, it's definitely a once-in-a-lifetime Christmas gift!
The 5 D's of Home Staging [18:59 - 39:10]Watch on YouTube!
We sit down with Natalie Kaman from At Home Design and Staging out of Grand Rapids to talk about what sellers can do to get the most for their homes!
Here's a sneak peak at Natalie's tips:
- Depersonalize
- Declutter
- Don't Darken
- Detail
- Design
Check out the interview for all the info!
On Today's EpisodeIt's been a monumental week. And it all started with a very lucrative offer from Keanu Reeves....
Avoiding Scams [00:00 - 06:53]The Holidays are rapidly approaching. And with them . . . come the scammers! Every year, these people crawl out of the woodwork with schemes and tricks, hoping to harvest information from the unsuspecting. Don't fall for it! We'll talk about a few common scams and what you can do to keep yourself and your loved ones safe!
Real Estate Check-In [06:53 - 31:40]The housing market has been all over the place throughout the year. We started with a crazy seller's market and now, the year is ending with the advantage swinging toward the buyers! We sit down with Ginger Herman from Sue Prins Group Five-Star Real Estate Leaders to get the scoop. Whether you're a buyer or a seller (or both), this segment is crammed with great info!
Our Favorite Projects (and Why) [31:40 - 39:29]Dan and Hailey have tackled a LOT of home projects. But in all of that work over all of those years, which project stands out for each of them as their favorite? And why?
On Today's EpisodeFall is settling in and that means a couple things for sure: the end of Daylight Saving Time for the year and a potential invasion of mice into our homes as they look for warmer digs. Who Can We Blame for DST? [00:00 - 12:17]We take a rambling and energetic look at select moments from the history of Daylight Saving Time. Our focus is to figure out who we can blame for it. We turn up a couple likely culprits, but find that the evidence doesn't point their direction. Fortunately, we're able to uncover the main guilty party for DST in the U.S. Mouse Trapping Masterclass [12:18 - 26:23]The mice are coming! Fall is digging in and that means mice and other pests will be looking for warm places to spend the winter. Is your home going to be a mouse resort? Hopefully not! But, if you do happen to find mice in your walls and running around the edges of your rooms, you need to know how to get rid of them quickly. We go through 8 tips (and a bonus tip that starts the next segment as well) that will help you deal with them if they invade your space! The Big Winners Announced! [26:24 - 39:28]We start this segment with a bonus mouse-trapping tip and then give away the prizes for our big contest that has been running since the middle of October!
On Today's EpisodeWe cover everything from tips for the workshop to laundry room mistakes that we all should correct! Using an Orbital Sander the RIGHT Way [00:00 - 07:48]We’ve all seen the little swirls left behind from an orbital sander. Seeing those is a huge bummer because they show through the finish, whether that’s polyurethane, stain or paint. The good news, It’s not Sanders' fault! Swirling scratches happen because we are using the sander incorrectly. Learn all about common mistakes and how to avoid them in this segment. TOP TIPS For Eliminating Swirls (Pig Tails) When Using Orbital Sander Start Right Hold the sander Place it flatly on the surface to be sanded and then power it on When it is on the surface, with slight hand pressure, the disc spins at a much more controlled rates When it is in the air, it spins very quickly Setting it down while it’s moving at that speed can cause skips, gouges, etc. when it contacts your wood Also, you may not set it down evenly
Correct Speed, Keep it Flat, and Use the Right Pressure CORRECT SPEED IS IMPORTANT! Often swirls happen because we move too fast We go back and forth quickly Instead, sand with the grain at a SLOW and STEADY PACE! Especially as you near the final sand Rule of thumb: 1” per second KEEP IT FLAT Sometimes we tilt the sander Try to angle it in to put more pressure on certain areas Very likely to gouge the piece or create swirls (or both) Instead . . . keep it even! Nice and flat on the surface USE THE RIGHT PRESSURE Let the sander do the work! Don’t get overly aggressive! Light pressure–just enough for guidance and control Don’t bog down the motor! If you hear the motor slow Too much pressure! Will result in swirls Instead, let it work itself over the surface
Work Through Your Grits Common Mistake There isn’t a one-size-fits-all grit usually! Instead, start low–with a coarser grit And move your way through the different grits until you finish Let the various grits each do their job and then move to the next one! Don’t skip grits trying to save time – or, if you do, don’t skip more than one SO, to make it clear: Start with an 80 or 100 grit to remove the finish on a piece Then, move to 120 grit, then 150 grit, then 180, and finally 220 or higher if necessary Yes, that means you’ll have to amass extra sanding discs But, it will produce beautiful flawless results!
Dust Extraction and Dust Removal Dust from your sanding can get trapped beneath the discs, creating swirls Remove it! Attach a shop-vac attachment to your sander To remove dust as you go Also! Be sure to remove dust in between grits When you change sandpapers Take time to remove the dust from the surface Wipe with a soft bristled brush Blow off with an air hose Vacuum off
Stop Right It’s important to start right With the sander evenly on the surface With light handpressure Before turning on . . . . Also important to stop right! Stopping while the sander is spinning on your surface is like slamming the brakes on your car The tire marks in this instance are the swirls you leave behind So lift the sander off the surface before hitting the power button! Think of it this way: Start ON, Stop OFF
Double Check Old maxim–measure twice, cut once Same idea applies here! Nothing more frustrating than applying your stain Only to discover swirls you missed! Much harder to fix at that point So take the time to do a quick double check A couple methods work well: Use mineral spirits Basically just get a rag damp and wipe the surface Swirls should be readily exposed And the mineral spirits evaporates out quickly Or, use a light on a low angle LED work light, flashlight, or just hold the piece up to the window
Kitchens, Bathrooms, Basements, and More [07:48 - 32:21]We work through 9 customer-submitted projects and talk about the amazing transformation $150 worth of Benjamin Moore paint made in each of these! If you've got a project...
On Today's EpisodeWe start in the workshop, head to the bathroom, and then wrap things up talking about how you could win a $1000 Home Improvement Prize Package! It's a full day! Tape Measure Maintenance [00:00 - 07:43]Dan and Hailey discuss all the ways to keep your tape measure accurate. Have you calibrated your tape measure recently? Find out how! https://repcolite-home-improvem.captivate.fm/episode/episode-047-area-rugs-polyurethane-over-paint-wood-floors-hidden-tape-measure-features (Listen to Episode 047: Tape Measure Tricks!)
Bathroom Renovation Tips [07:44 - 33:37]Dan and Hailey are Joined by Interior Designer and professor Andy Yates to discuss the daunting task of remodeling a bathroom. From planning to installation, Andy has perfected the process so you can avoid common mistakes. The Giant Giveaway [33:37 - 39:20]Dan and Hailey launch phase two of our Giant Paint Giveaway! This time there are multiple $1,000 Home Improvement Prize Packages to win!! Find out how to enter! https://www.repcolite.com/big-paint-giveaway-gallery/ (Check out the before and after pictures and vote!)
On Today's EpisodeBenjamin Moore just released their Color of the Year for 2023 and it's a doozy! We cover that topic in detail and we also highlight some ridiculously cheap paint tools that work remarkably well. In non-paint-related news, we sit down with Nick Sargent from Johnson Carpet One in Grandville to talk about all sorts of flooring and countertop materials and trends. It's definitely a full day! Cheap (But Brilliant) Paint Tools [00:00 - 08:30]https://youtu.be/8-nUd6XKd9c (WATCH THIS SEGMENT ON YOUTUBE!) These small inexpensive tools can have an incredible impact on your next paint project! Tile, Counters, Carpet, & More! [08:31 - 28:44]https://youtu.be/HXyYzPZJDE8 (WATCH THIS SEGMENT ON YOUTUBE) We are joined in the studio with Nick Sargent from Johnson Carpet One to discuss the wide variety of products they offer. Plus we will discuss inexpensive options and trends in flooring, countertops and tile! Straight Talk about Benjamin Moore's Color of the Year 2023 [28:45 - 39:14]https://youtu.be/UUOCO4OtcLQ (WATCH THE FULL 18-Minute VERSION ON YOUTUBE) The very bold, 2023 color trends palette by Benjamin Moore is sure to invite strong opinions. Dan and Hailey have a very candid conversation about the recently announced 2023 color of the year.
On Today's EpisodeWe cover a wide range of topics! We all know technology has rapidly advanced over the last 10 years . . . but is every advancement REALLY an advancement? Also, if you are getting ready to snag some pumpkins for carving or for your outdoor fall decorating, we've got some tips to keep them looking great longer. Another question that comes up this time of year involves our decks: is there still time to stain them before we head into winter? Is there any reason to consider that project now? We'll discuss it with painting professional Dean Veltman. And finally, we'll focus on what seems like a silly, throw-away-tool. But could there be some value to it? Smart Toilets [00:00 - 8:05]What will they think of next? Dan and Hailey discuss all that a smart toilet can offer. https://www.smarthome.kohler.com/toilets-and-seats?id=ps_goo_kbus_smarthome_ps_buy_sem_smarthome_br_pm_all_2022_goo_&ds_cid=71700000091283499&ds_agid=58700007692586354&ds_kid=43700069709714417&ds_clid=CjwKCAjwp9qZBhBkEiwAsYFsb6TKb6BV9QxYKRvXxeHakJJWrv4TpO-t3vxc-ND-OAoyeGuUa0xQpRoC-CMQAvD_BwE&gclid=CjwKCAjwp9qZBhBkEiwAsYFsb6TKb6BV9QxYKRvXxeHakJJWrv4TpO-t3vxc-ND-OAoyeGuUa0xQpRoC-CMQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds (Kohler Smart Toilets)
How to Preserve your Carved or Uncarved Pumpkin [8:06 - 19:00]The first weekend in October Hailey always rushes out to get pumpkins so she can start decorating for fall and she almost always regrets it. Determined to make this year's pumpkins last longer, Hailey has found the best ways to preserve both carved and uncarved pumpkins. Deck Considerations [19:00 - 35:20]Dan and Hailey are Joined by Painter, Dean Veltman to discuss common pitfalls when staining a deck, realistic expectations for deck stains plus best practices for staining your deck during the fall. Universal Socket Mini-Review [35:20 - 39:29]It may sound like a silly tool to add to the collection but in a pinch the universal socket can be a life saver! https://www.amazon.com/Super-Universal-Socket-Tools-Gifts/dp/B085ZRJFQ8/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?crid=3MMVMQZ9KGH0Z&keywords=universal%2Bsocket%2Btool&qid=1664564627&qu=eyJxc2MiOiI0LjU5IiwicXNhIjoiNC43OCIsInFzcCI6IjQuNjQifQ%3D%3D&sprefix=universal%2Bsocket%2Btool%2Caps%2C145&sr=8-2-spons&th=1 (Universal Socket Tool)
On Today's EpisodeToday is all about fixing problems and dealing with (and avoiding) mistakes! 6 Ways to Avoid Color Mistakes [00:00 - 18:58]Unfortunately, we have all made mistakes when choosing paint colors, the good news is there are simple ways to avoid that! We have 6 lessons that everyone can benefit from. Standby Generators: Whole Home Power [18:58 - 28:37]Dan and Hailey are joined by Zack Krieger from Ayers Basement Systems to discuss whole home power in the event of a power outage. Concrete Lifting and So Much More! [28:37 - 39:28]Ayers Basement Systems offers more than basement waterproofing solutions. They offer everything from concrete lifting and insulation to plumbing and electrical services!
On Today's EpisodeWith Father's Day only a day away, it's crunch time if you're looking for gifts. And so we decided to pool our knowledge and resources and provide you with a list of never-fail Father's Day gifts you'll be able to pick up today! We'll also be talking about... Last Minute Father's Day Gifts [00:00 - 18:58]With only 1 shopping day left until Father's Day 2022... How to Become Handy [18:58 - 32:34]Are you handy? When it comes to projects... The Curb Appeal Checklist [32:34 - 39:28]Curb appeal is important all the time...
On Today's EpisodeWho would have thought painting your floor could leave you without hot water! We'll explain how that could happen. We'll also be talking with Lauren Figueroa about decorating with vintage finds (and how to find them). And of course, we'll be listing off the 10 winners of our paint contest and launching Phase 2! FV Sensors [00:00 - 8:45]https://youtu.be/9DysB5emzYk (Don't just listen! Watch the segment on YouTube! ) We were made aware of an interesting painting experience that resulted in a loss of hot water! It led us on an interesting search where we discovered something we hadn't been aware of regarding water heaters. Turns out, since 2003, most gas water heaters are equipped with a safety feature called an Flammable Vapor (FV) sensor. And when these (sometimes finicky) gadgets detect what they think are dangerous fumes, they'll shut down the whole unit. It's a nice safety feature, but definitely something to be aware of if you've got an upcoming project in your home! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6t1nsqiU20Y (Video on Resetting the FV sensor on a number of different gas valves )
Decorating with Vintage Finds (and how to find them!) [8:46 - 28:58]https://youtu.be/CbofsF4-Qr0 (Don't just listen! Watch the segment on YouTube!) If you haven't gone searching for vintage decor, furniture, rugs, accessories for your home, you're missing out on an amazing experience! Not only can you save money, take the materials you buy home with you (rather than wait for 7 months while they're constructed) . . . but you also get to experience the "joy of the hunt!". Interior Designer Lauren Figueroa chats with us about her article in the September/October issue of Grand Rapids Magazine. https://www.etsy.com/market/turkish_rug_empire?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Search_US_DSA_GGL_ENG_Home_Categories_New&utm_ag=Rugs&utm_custom1=_k_Cj0KCQjw08aYBhDlARIsAA_gb0fhbdBcnLtHkzDE_R4rB39QS8n0Z7SHMpsZ5SPB86G3q1UGk1F3pWsaAjm2EALw_wcB_k_&utm_content=go_1806416560_75040297168_544521681995_dsa-45664714017_c_&utm_custom2=1806416560&gclid=Cj0KCQjw08aYBhDlARIsAA_gb0fhbdBcnLtHkzDE_R4rB39QS8n0Z7SHMpsZ5SPB86G3q1UGk1F3pWsaAjm2EALw_wcB (Turkish Rug Empire Website)
The Big Winners [28:59 - 39:29]https://youtu.be/ayHgrTmqm60 (Don't just listen! Watch the segment on YouTube!) We've selected winners for our Big Paint Giveaway contest and now we're ready to name names and launch Phase 2! Tune in to find out if you won . . . and even if you didn't, we'll tell you about another way you can take home a prize!
On Today's EpisodeWe'll be talking about (incredibly brilliant) DIY lessons that Dan learned from his recent vacation. They apply to ALL people EVERYWHERE. They are THAT good. kind of. We'll also be talking about one of the most exciting art projects we've ever covered on the show: Cyanotype Printing. It's easy, inexpensive, and the results are incredible. Finally . . . we unleash our biggest paint contest ever! DIY Life Lessons from Vacation [00:00 - 14:21]We are constantly learning lessons in life that can be applied to DIY projects. Whether that is learning to ask for help, knowing who NOT to ask for help or “not feeding your inner seagull” this segment has a lot to offer when it comes to ENJOYING your next DIY project. Cyanotype Projects for All Ages [14:22 - 38:58]Cyanotype prints are the perfect process. They are beautiful, inexpensive, easy and only take 15 min to make! The possibilities seem endless! We discuss how to make them and all the ways you can make beautiful home decor using this process. https://www.amazon.com/Jacquard-Cyanotype-Photographic-Blueprints-Application/dp/B08K1YZBQC/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=3PSA715V9TU7B&keywords=cyanotype+chemicals&qid=1661457992&sprefix=cyanotype+chemica%2Caps%2C287&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1 (Cyanotype Chemicals on Amazon) https://www.amazon.com/Cyanotype-DMORED-Sensitivity-Printing-Projects/dp/B0B4SG6XNS/ref=sr_1_10?crid=E6RIN4W88K78&keywords=cyanotype+paper&qid=1661458028&sprefix=cyanotype+pape%2Caps%2C256&sr=8-10 (Cyanotype Papers on Amazon)
The BIG Paint Giveaway [38:59 - 45:49]We are excited to give 10 lucky people a $150 gift certificate for Benjamin Moore Paint from RepcoLite! Enter the giveaway by leaving a comment, telling us what your next paint project is. Contest Ends 09/01/2022 Want to increase your chances of winning? Follow us on Instagram & Facebook @repcolitepaints and comment on the giveaway posts. Head to https://www.repcolite.com/ (https://www.repcolite.com) for more details!
On Today's EpisodeSummer's winding down and as we look back to our big DIY hopes and dreams in the Spring, we're feeling a little bummed about how little we actually accomplished. We'll talk about what went wrong, how to correct it, and why it's not so bad. We'll also talk about cleaning and avoiding paint spills. And finally, after a year of waiting, Hailey can finally do her toilet paper topic! Avoiding (and Cleaning) Paint Spills [00:00 - 07:22]During an annual RepcoLite cookout Dan sprung into action when he noticed paint leaking from a van! We discuss how to avoid paint spills when transporting paint and the best ways to clean up a paint spill so YOU can be a paint spill hero like Dan! Summer Project Blues (and Hope) [07:23 - 32:06]We had high hopes for accomplishing projects this Summer and now that we are nearing the end…depression has set in as we realize we are nowhere near where we hoped. After commisterating, we go through a list of helpful tips on how to get back on track. What Did We Do Before Toilet Paper? [32:07 - 39:25]Hailey pitched a topic to Dan about a year ago and he has finally come around to the idea; What did we do before toilet paper? We go through the absolutely ridiculous list of what people used before toilet paper and it is sure to surprise you.
On Today's EpisodeChoosing the wrong dining room table for your space can be a frustrating and expensive mistake! Fortunately, we've got some tips to help you make sure you get it right! We'll also be talking with Interior Designer Lauren Figueroa about a very unique Design-in-a-Day service she offers. Finally, we'll close the show out talking about paint sheens. It's not exciting stuff, but think of it this way: you could pick the right color, the best paint, use the best tools with the greatest skill . . . and still hate the end results because the sheen is wrong. We'll help you avoid that! How to Find the Perfect Table [00:00 - 09:39]Dining room tables are extremely important to our home life and choosing the wrong table can have a big impact. We discuss the rules of thumb everyone needs to know before shopping for a new table. A Budget-Friendly Interior Design Service [09:40 - 30:40]We are joined by Interior Designer Lauren Figueroa to discuss a design service that has become a huge hit; Design in a Day! Many of us struggle when decorating our homes and yet we don't ask for help because we don’t think we can afford it. That is all changing with the flexible budget friendly option. Find out how it works and how to get the most out of it. Lauren Figueroa http://www.LFdesigns.co (Lauren's Website) https://instagram.com/lfdesigns.co (@lfdesigns.co on Instagram) http://facebook.com/lfdesigns.co (Lauren's Facebook page) How to Pick a Paint Sheen [39:41 - 39:12]You can do all of the right things; find the perfect color, get the best paint and paint tools but if you don't pick the right sheen…it could still mean catastrophe. We walk you through all of the sheens and where/when you should use them.
On Today's EpisodeWith Father's Day only a day away, it's crunch time if you're looking for gifts. And so we decided to pool our knowledge and resources and provide you with a list of never-fail Father's Day gifts you'll be able to pick up today! We'll also be talking about... DIY PAINTING 101: How Much Paint Do I Need? [00:00 - 9:20]DIY Painting 101: Start by estimating how much paint you are going to need! Getting an accurate paint estimate / budgeting for your project can be easy once you know how much paint to buy. Just follow these steps: Measure the LENGTH of each wall AND the HEIGHT. Multiple each wall LENGTH by the ceiling HEIGHT. Add those totals together Subtract square footage from windows and doors
We always recommend 2 coats which means if the room is 408sqft you will be covering 816 sqft 1 gallon will typically cover around 400 sqft. For this example you will need 2 gallons of paint Bring in your final number of square feet into your nearest RepcoLite Paints so we can get you the right amount of paint! Lithium-Ion Battery Safety [9:21 - 32:35]We are surrounded by Lithium Ion Batteries. They are used in everything from phones, watches and tools to yard equipment, electric scooters and cars. If you have seen any of these devices catch fire it can be frightening and many people wonder if they are safe…In short, yes, they are safe. However, like most things that use electricity, there are safety precautions everyone needs to know! We are joined by Holland’s Fire Chief to learn all about Lithium Ion Batteries and Fire Safety. Bunny the Talking Dog [32:36 - 39:27]We know that your days are filled with stress so we thought we’d bring you a story that is sure to make you smile! Bunny the talking dog is an internet sensation and for good reason! Dan and Hailey discuss the possibility of communicating with pets. https://www.instagram.com/whataboutbunny/?hl=en (Check out Bunny on Instagram!)
On Today's EpisodeIt's a project-focused episode this week. Hailey is converting her 100 year-old garage into an art studio and needed to degrease the concrete. She'll talk about what she used and whether or not it's a product she'd recommend. Dan, on the other hand, took an old, rusty Bistro set that he bought over 20 years ago and restored it to "better-than-its-former-glory." He'll discuss the steps he went through and, more importantly, he'll talk about the temptation to skimp on the prep and how he overcame it! While both of these projects are ridiculously specific . . . they are loaded with applications and ideas that will apply to many projects around the house. ACT Concrete Cleaner Review [00:00 - 18:58]https://youtu.be/8CHBxp7TK5I (-->View this segment on YouTube!<--) Hailey's 100 year-old-garage floor was covered with dark oil stains. So many, in fact, that she surmised that the garage had possibly been used for automotive work sometime in its long history. With all those stains, she decided to go with a heavy-duty, industrial strength cleaner. And then, she read the warnings on the back of that degreaser and decided she wanted something less terrifying. She settled on ACT Concrete Cleaner. It's pet-friendly, Hailey-friendly, and generally safe. But does it work? She'll let you know in her review! https://actcleaners.com/product/act-concrete-cleaner/ (ACT Concrete Cleaner)
Restoring Rusty Patio Furniture [18:59 - 39:28]https://youtu.be/6SXk2px1E_A (-->View this segment on YouTube!<--) Years back, Dan bought a cute little cast iron bistro set. And then he set it outside and let time have its way with it. Recently, his daughter started using the rusty, spider-infested, ivy-covered set and Dan decided it was time to restore it. It's a simple project and very specific. Yet, it was surprising how many painting lessons he relearned or remembered along the way. Most surprising is how tempting it really is to skimp on the prep work--even when you KNOW that doing so is a bad idea. In this segment, we talk about removing rust, prepping surfaces, painting metal, and a lot of other things along the way. Final Notes and ThoughtsIf you're listening to our podcast, we'd LOVE to know! Please email us at radio@repcolite.com and let us know what topics you'd like us to cover in future segments. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8GnPQuZ3h63eZwsU9qXBqw (Also, don't forget to check us out on YouTube!) And if you do, please click subscribe!
On Today's EpisodeToday's a bit wide-ranging when it comes to topics. The whole first half of the show is about "summer school"--about continued learning and making the most of the time we have! We start with a summer learning experience Hailey jumped into at Ox-Bow in Saugatuck. From there, Dan talks about turning 50 and some of the recent experiences he's jumped into. Then we shift gears into an in-depth review of the Ego Zero Turn Riding Lawnmower. We know someone who has one and we get his thoughts. Finally, we wrap up with a quick look at the new and improved Ben from Benjamin Moore. It's a great, budget-friendly paint and now, with some new technology, it's even better! Art at Ox-Bow [00:00 - 9:28]Hailey recently took an Art class at Ox-Bow Art School & Artist in Residency in Saugatuck, Michigan. We discuss the history of Ox-Bow the campus and her experience taking a printmaking class there. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gk7FVrPhC28 (A Vist to Ox-Bow Video) https://www.ox-bow.org/art-on-the-meadow-workshops (Art on the Meadow Workshop)
The Mid-Life Crisis[9:29 - 18:59]Dan has been joking about his midlife crisis after buying a motorcycle and approching the age of fifty. All jokes aside, though, he has found navigating this crisis means learning new things and that is something we all need more of no matter what age. EGO Zero Turn Riding Lawnmower Review [19:00 - 33:30]We have talked about EGO Lawn equipment on the show before but this time we are going big! Hear all about the EGO Zero Turn Riding Lawn Mower and how it compares to a traditional John Deere Tractor. Is it worth the money? Ben Revisited [33:31 - 39:29]Benjamin Moore has recently improved their entry level paint “Ben” . We discuss those improvements and when we’d recommend choosing this product. https://www.repcolite.com/product/ben-interior/ (Check out Ben in our online store)
Final Notes and ThoughtsIf you're listening to our podcast, we'd LOVE to know! Please email us at radio@repcolite.com and let us know what topics you'd like us to cover in future segments. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8GnPQuZ3h63eZwsU9qXBqw (Also, don't forget to check us out on YouTube!) And if you do, please click subscribe!
On Today's EpisodeWhen gas is pushing $5 a gallon and groceries have become ridiculously expensive, the concept of saving money on home improvement projects is a big deal. On today's show, we talk about how you can cut corners (safely) and save money on your next paint or wallpaper project without compromising the final look! Budget-Friendly Paints [00:00 - 13:08]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0U-fkt36KUE (WATCH ON YOUTUBE (and don't forget to subscribe!)) Working with the best paints money can buy is a great experience. The paint goes on better and lasts longer. Working with the best is always fun. However, we don't always have money to buy the best. And sometimes our particular project doesn't need the absolute best paint. (A spare bedroom maybe doesn't require Aura from Benjamin Moore, for example) And so, with all that in mind, we talk about some of our favorite "budget-friendly" options and list their pros as well as some of their cons. BEST BUDGET-FRIENDLY PAINTS https://www.repcolite.com/product/ben-interior/ (Ben from Benjamin Moore) https://www.repcolite.com/product/carefree-latex-paint/ (Carefree from RepcoLite)
BEST PRICED PREMIUM PAINT https://www.repcolite.com/product/optima-premium-ceramic/ (Optima from RepcoLite)
Paint Tools You Can Skimp On (and Those You Can't) [13:09 - 33:01]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlZ0SNZnpLE (WATCH ON YOUTUBE (and don't forget to subscribe!)) When it comes to paint tools, there are certain ones that you can save money on. Sure, they may not be the best tool and there may be some limitations to how well they work, but overall, they'll perform well and at a discount. However, there are other tools that you should absolutely never skimp on. Let's break them down: BRUSHES. Believe it or not, brushes are actually a good place to skimp if you're hoping to save some money. Of course, there are caveats. First, I would never go to the cheapest brushes you can find. Avoid dollar store brushes like the plague. They drop bristles left and right and can make any paint project a misery. Instead, if you don't want o spend the money on the best brushes out there, go for middle of the road. https://www.repcolite.com/product/wooster-silvertip-sash-brush/ (Wooster SilverTip brushes) are a great option. Wooster Soft Tips will work great as well. A great brush is still far better--it applies more paint, more evenly, and lasts much longer. But a middle of the road brush can save you some money. ROLLER COVERS. This is a place you should never skimp. Most of our projects are rolled out. That means that the roller cover is the item most responsible for how good your finished paint looks. A cheap roller cover can make a premium, top-shelf paint, look terrible on your walls. And a great cover can make a cheaper paint look better. On top of that . . . a good cover, Like https://www.repcolite.com/product/wooster-microplush-roller-covers/ (Wooster's MicroPlush Cover) prices out just over $4. A cheap (garbage) roller cover could maybe price out as low as $1. So a $3 savings per cover. On average, most projects require about 2 covers. Which means you'd be compromising your finished look for a grand total savings of $6. It's absolutely not worth it! ROLLER FRAMES. There are great roller frames out there (https://www.repcolite.com/product/wooster-sherlock-9-roller-frame/ (Wooster Sherlock Frames, we're looking at you!)). And while they are great to work with, you can certainly get by with a standard $3 roller frame. Definitely a decent place to save money if you're looking to make cuts. EXTENSION POLES. If you're skimping on the roller frame, there's no reason to splurge on the extension pole. Extension poles make every project easier--even when you're painting standard, 8 foot walls. But while more expensive ones can really feel like gold in your hands . . . you can certainly get by with a cheap wooden extension pole. DROP CLOTHS. This is a toss-up! If you do a ton of painting, go...
On Today's EpisodeWe cover a lot of ground today--or, at least, we cover some very diverse ground! It all starts with a quick look at a cool project: repairing an antique frame (or at least making it better!). From there, we take a deep dive into the Sous-Vide--a kitchen appliance that promises to save you time and help you produce the best meals you've ever made. Finally, with all that delicious food you're likely to make with the Sous-Vide, we know the next problem you'll be dealing with are ants and other pests, coming for their piece of the feast. We've got some alternative insecticides to help you eliminate those unwanted guests! Frame Job [00:00 - 05:24 ]Durham's Water Putty is an inexpensive product that covers a lot of ground. If you don't have some in your DIY arsenal, you need it! In this segment, we talk about an antique picture frame Dan found at an antique store a couple weeks ago. The frame was relatively intricate and sadly, a bit of that detail work had broken off with age. The missing section was glaring and accounted for the cheap price on the piece. After looking at it for months, Dan bought it planning on painting the missing section with a metallic gold color, hoping to blend it in. However, when he got home, he remembered that he had a canister of Durham's Water Putty. Durham's, among other things, can be carved and shaped once it hardens. He went to work and after an hour or so, had puttied in the missing spots and done a fair job of carving in a close-enough representation of the pattern. It's not perfect and there's a different approach that he could have taken with the Durhams that would have worked better. But still, after a beautiful paint match, the damaged corner fades out of sight while hanging on the wall. https://youtu.be/WYPUYIgR2Ck (Check out our video of the first segment!)
The Sous Vide [05:25 - 31:17]Sous-Vide Chef and RepcoLite employee par excellence joins us in the studio to talk about a kitchen appliance that he's LOVED for the last 4 years: The Sous-Vide. He makes the case that the Sous-Vide helps you prepare the best-flavored food you've ever eaten . . . while at the same time making the whole preparation and cooking process simple. Is the Sous-Vide right for you? https://www.amazon.com/SousVide-Supreme-Touch-Water-Oven/dp/B084QCVZP7/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?crid=1JRQ4C5XAWCUZ&keywords=sous+vide+supreme&qid=1657554382&sprefix=sous+vide+supreme%2Caps%2C90&sr=8-2-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEyWjhWVjE1QlZJQzFDJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUExMDE2ODE0MklNMkpUVDNHWFNOVSZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwODQ4NTE3MUoySThYUUFCV1hUMCZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU= (Here's the Sous Vide Peter was talking about on the show)
Alternative Insecticides [31:17 - 39:23]Ants and other pests in the home can be a real pain in the neck! If you're dealing with that, there are some options other than your standard pesticides. DIATOMACEOUS EARTH Diatomaceous earth is made from the fossilized remains of diatoms. While living, they are responsible for producing almost 30% of our oxygen. And once dead and fossilized, they can be ground up into a fine powder that works well for filtration, polishing, and . . . bug killing. Just sprinkle some diatomaceous earth around the perimeter of your home and any bugs with an exo-skeleton who crawl through it will be short for this world. Just wear a mask while applying it and you should be fine. http://npic.orst.edu/factsheets/degen.html (There's a lot more to read about and here's a great place to start!) BORAX ANT KILLER The internet abounds with recipes using Borax as a main ingredient in ant killers. Basically, you mix 1 part Borax to 3 parts water, sugar, peanut butter, or corn syrup. Then you put that mixture on small pieces of index cards and place them where you see your ants. They will eat the mixture and then take it back to the colony and in about 24 - 48 hours, there should be no...
On Today's EpisodeIt's the Fourth of July Weekend and so we're looking at a couple things that are uniquely American! We'll be digging into some fun facts about the 4th as well as an architectural element of our homes that is distinctly American--the front porch. Do you have one? Do you use it? Whatever situation you're in, we've got some creative solutions so you can get out there and enjoy your summer. We'll also be talking with realtors Sue Prins and Ginger Herman about the current state of the real estate market. Do we need to be worried about another housing market crash like 2008? Sue and Ginger have some positive (and calming) news.... 4th of July Fun Facts! [00:00 - 09:43]There's a lot we know about the Fourth of July. BUT, even more importantly, there's a lot of fun/cool stuff we don't! For example: did you know that a teenager designed the current American flag in 1958? Yep . . . he made room and added a couple stars . . . and there you go: history was made! https://medium.com/knowledge-stew/the-teenager-who-designed-the-modern-american-flag-54748ffe00a7 (His name was Robert G. Heft and you can learn more by clicking here.) Another interesting fact is that 3 Presidents, who had all signed the Declaration of Independence, died on July 4. Thomas Jefferson, John Adams (both on the same day), and James Monroe 5 years later. Moving on . . . the 4th is all about Flag Etiquette (or should be), so we were surprised to find that https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/when-collectors-cut-off-pieces-star-spangled-banner-keepsakes-180951436/ (snippets of the original Star Spangled Banner have been sold at auctions over the years). It somehow just feels wrong... Finally, here's a couple last facts that aren't really so surprising . . . Americans spent over 1 billion dollars on fireworks every 4th and . . . also not surprising . . .https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2019/07/03/hospital-emergency-room-visits-fourth-of-july/ ( over 45,000 people visit the emergency room on this same day every year!) The State of Real Estate [09:44 - 26:24]We're all hearing some doom and gloom coming from the media about the real estate market. They're throwing around phrases like "bubble bursting" and "housing crash" and the always popular: "just like 2008." Is that the case? Is that really where we're at or where we're heading? Sue Prins and Ginger Herman from Sue Prins Group Five-Star Real Estate Leaders don't think so. In fact, they believe there's a bit of a silver lining to everything that's going on right now. Sue Prins Real Estate Professional https://sueprins.com (Sue 's Website) Creating a Front Porch Oasis [26:24 - 55:49]https://friendsppm.wordpress.com/2019/08/12/the-american-porch-as-american-as-apple-pie/ (Front porches, whether you realize it or not, are distinctly American). They contain elements found in other cultures . . . but we've taken those concepts, melted them all together in our big melting pot, and produced a product as perfect as a fresh apple pie: the front porch. Unfortunately, while front porches were a big part of life from the mid-1800's to just before World War II, they ended up kind of taking a back seat as indoor plumbing arrived. That moved the outhouse out of the back yard and made that area much less horrible to spend time in--as a result, those spaces became our go-to's for outdoor living. Also, air conditioning and TVs in every house brought people inside for even more time. And so the value and use of the front porch waned. However, we think it needs to be brought back! Front porches create a vibe of leisure and community--spaces where we can relax and recharge . . . but still remain connected to neighbors and community. It's sad that this has faded from typical American life. And we're not the only ones who think so! https://www.facebook.com/Porch.Sitting.UoA/ (Just check out the Professional Porch Sitters Union and consider forming your own chapter)! SOME PROJECTSSo, how do you get
On Today's EpisodeGroceries (and everything else) are getting extremely expensive. Today, we talk briefly about some of our tried-and-true money-saving tips when it comes to stocking the pantries. We'll also be taking a deep dive into some color theory and talk about how to choose exterior colors like a pro! Finally . . . we need to address an elephant in the room: Dan's a hypocrite. But chances are, he's not the only one . . . . Saving Money on Groceries [00:00 - 05:31]When it comes to saving money at the grocery register, the best thing you can do is plan those meals! Yes, it's work. No, it's not fun . . . but when you sit down and plan out the meals for the week, working out all the ingredients necessary, and then make your purchases based on that plan . . . you dramatically cut down on the unnecessary purchases. Before doing this, I was always buying one-off items that made sense as I stood in the store trying to imagine what the meals would be. But later, when they sit in my pantry, I realize they're not a meal. And they're not a part of any of the meals I actually made. They're just extra. Maybe I'll use them eventually . . . but I don't want to spend money on food I'm maybe going to use eventually. Along these same lines, another easy way to save money is to make use of your local grocery store's online order and curbside pick-up system. If your store offers this, it's a crazy simple way to save money. I order online, arrange a time to pick up the items, and then am in and out in 5 minutes. I never set foot in the store and I'm never buying the extra add-ons that I don't really need. Yes, I sometimes miss out on some special prices, but I'll trade that for the savings on ridiculously unnecessary trinkets and gadgets that I'm currently enjoying! Another idea that's counter to common thought on this regard is to avoid buying in bulk. I'm sure it works for some people. Maybe it works for most people. But for me, when I do it . . . all it means is that my kids eat in bulk. The most recent example is a box of 38 granola bars. Normally we buy the box that has 10 of them in it. And it lasts a week. But recently, I found the big box. The Bulk Box. The Box of the gods. And so I snagged it, knowing that now we would have granola bars for weeks and weeks. Yes, I knew the kids might tend to want to eat them quickly, but I also knew that with a quick conversation and some reasoning, they would see that by limiting their intake, we would save money as a family. So I put the box in the cupboard, explained the situation to the kids, and then, amidst much nodding and agreeing, we went our separate ways. Two days later the box was empty. Even I hadn't listened to myself. The lure of 38 granola bars was too enticing. I think I ate 14 of them myself. Bottom line . . . when we have an abundance of something . . . we treat it like we're rolling in cash. That we'll never run out. And we eat it faster than when we have a smaller amount we need to stretch. There are tons of other ways to save money. We're not experts. We know what works for us, but if you've got a system that's utterly brilliant and you'd like to share it with the world (or at least with us) please reach out: radio@repcolite.com! Exterior Color Help 101 [05:32 - 33:12]Choosing colors for the exterior of your home (or for an outbuilding of any kind) is stressful! You want to get it right because it's a big area to paint and a big investment . . . but also because everyone in your neighborhood is watching to see your results. Here is a quick look at some of the details we cover in the podcast: COLORS WILL LOOK LIGHTER OUTSIDE. Lighting and scale dramatically affect the appearance of colors outside. Because the sun is the ultimate light source and because colors outside are usually painted on much larger areas, they end up looking much lighter than we may expect--sometimes as much as three "shades" or more. So, if you're looking at a color chip with 8...
On Today's EpisodeWith Father's Day only a day away, it's crunch time if you're looking for gifts. And so we decided to pool our knowledge and resources and provide you with a list of never-fail Father's Day gifts you'll be able to pick up today! We'll also be talking about what it takes to be "handy". A lot of us tell ourselves (and others) that we're all thumbs. That we're not mechanical. All of that. We don't believe you! You're handy. You just don't know it.... Finally, we walk you through a quick curb appeal checklist. These are some key areas of our home that are often overlooked. How does your home measure up? Tune in to find out! Last Minute Father's Day Gifts [00:00 - 18:58]With only 1 shopping day left until Father's Day 2022, we decided to put our brains to work to come up with the best, easily-attainable, Father's Day gifts for any budget! Joining us is RepcoLite's own Ryan Mullen, a new father for the third time! The Money Bags Category Local Craft Beer or Liquor (Ryan's Idea) An Experience for Dad -- Batting Cages, A Baseball Game, A Concert, etc. (Hailey's Idea) A https://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-DCS369B-Cordless-One-Handed-Reciprocating/dp/B082BTT92H/ref=sr_1_2?crid=3U95EB3I9MSWX&keywords=dewalt+one+handed+reciprocating+saw+20v&qid=1655471034&sprefix=DEWALT+one+hand%2Caps%2C137&sr=8-2 (DEWALT Atomic Series Reciprocating Saw) (Dan's BRILLIANT Idea)
The "I've Got No Money But Still Care" Category A DIY Plaster Mold of Your Child's Hand (Hailey's idea) A DIY Yard Golf Game (Dan's Idea)
The "I've Got SOME Money to Spend . . . But Let's Not Get Crazy" Category Movie Tickets for a Dad's Only Movie Event (Ryan's Idea--He's thinking the new Top Gun looks pretty good...) A Car Vacuum (Hailey's Idea) A French Press Coffee Pot (Dan's Idea)
When everyone had explained all of their recommendations, we let Ryan vote on the best gift idea. I won't tell you who he picked . . . but he couldn't have been more correct in his choice. How to Become Handy [18:58 - 32:34]Are you handy? When it comes to projects or repairs around the house, do you jump in? Or do you look the other way and hope things somehow just get better? Not long ago, I was speaking with a friend about a lawnmower repair I had to tackle. When I finished recounting the experience (there were some ups and some really exciting downs), he shook his head and said "well, you can do that because you're handy. I'm just not good at stuff like that." That statement was remarkably eye-opening to me because I would never have thought of myself as "handy." I know other people who are handy. I'm not them. In fact, I usually think of myself as a hack. Sure, I'm a good "tryer" and a relatively quick learner, but handy? No. And yet, here was my friend, looking at the work I'm able to accomplish, completely convinced that I'm one of the lucky ones: the few, the proud, the Handy. Being handy is a great thing. Sure, there's the satisfaction of repairing something and the sense of pride that goes with it. But there's also the huge savings you experience when you DON'T need to bring something to a fix-it shop or hire a professional. Well, that idea about me being handy turned into a great conversation. Hailey and I dig into what it takes to be handy. And really, we come to the conclusion that we're all probably handy. Some of us just don't realize it. Where do you fall in the mix? Listen to the conversation and let us know what you think! You can email comments to radio@repcolite.com. We'd love to chat about this topic! It's one of our favorite concepts. The Curb Appeal Checklist [32:34 - 39:28]Curb appeal is important all the time--NOT just when you're selling your home. In fact, we believe that there's something psychological going on when our homes have good curb appeal and when they don't. A house that has good curb appeal bounces our mood in a positive direction every single time we pull into our driveway. Is it always a huge...
SEGMENT 1: The Butter Zone Two things are accomplished--sort of--in this segment! First, if you had grubs on your yard last fall, NOW's the time to treat for them. Secondly . . . Dan has a new refrigerator and it doesn't seem to be functioning correctly. So . . . he's placed a thermometer inside. This is both a great idea and a terrible idea. We'll tell you why! SEGMENT 2: Peel-N-Stick Wallpaper Recant Several weeks ago, we recommended that you DO NOT use Peel-n-Stick wallpaper on a full room installation. We based that conclusion on a personal experience. However, a few weeks later, we had another personal experience and now, we've changed our minds dramatically. REPCOLITE LOCATIONS THAT CARRY WALLPAPER BOOKS 17th Street RepcoLite in Holland Lakewood Blvd. RepcoLite in Holland Byron Center RepcoLite Plainfield Ave RepcoLite in Grand Rapids Fulton Street RepcoLite in Grand Rapids Kalamazoo RepcoLite
https://www.repcolite.com/repcolite-hours-and-locations/ (Find ALL of our locations here!) SEGMENT 3: EGO Yard Equipment Revisited A year ago or so, Hailey and I both jumped into EGO battery-powered lawn equipment. And initially, we LOVED it. However . . . it's been a year. How do we feel about it all now? https://egopowerplus.com/?gclid=CjwKCAjw14uVBhBEEiwAaufYx9ilPPer0mPFD-Lsrci1niMElWXlwYIJV0uH_3GpmC7crNCZBZMEMhoCQFUQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds (Learn more about EGO here!) SEGMENT 4: The Saugatuck Antique Pavilion We LOVE to highlight area businesses that stand out! The Saugatuck Antique Pavilion is another one. If you love shopping for antiques and haven't been here . . . it's time to plan a day trip. https://saugatuckantiquepavilion.com/ (Learn more about the Saugatuck Antique Pavilion here!)
Today's show is basically the presentation we gave on June 1 and 2 at the Sunnybrook Country Club in Grandville. It's a yearly event that RepcoLite hosts and Hailey and I called this one: Down the Rabbit Hole SEGMENT 1: Meet Our Guides In this first segment, we introduce you to the topic and also to our guides: Elizabeth Gilbert Frank Gehry David Lynch
SEGMENT 2: Recognizing Fear One of the key requirements to living creatively is learning to recognize fear. SEGMENT 3: Being Curious Another key trait of creative people is that they are constantly curious! Get out there, ask questions, stop "knowing" so much and be a detective! SEGMENT 4: Taking Time to Daydream A third train of creative people is that they take time to daydream . . . to let their mind rest . . . or to "play and experiment with reality."
SEGMENT 1: The Field Guide It's a simple thing . . . but it can bring about a lot of fun for the whole family. Pick up a field guide--for birds, wildflowers, trees, whatever--and turn your outdoor time into a great family scavenger hunt of sorts! SEGMENT 2: Aura Reformulated Benjamin Moore's Aura is the best paint they've ever made. AND, it just got better! We sit down with Benjamin Moore's Kevin Hermann to talk about what improvements have been made and what you can expect from this premium product moving forward. SEGMENTS 3 and 4: A Trip Down the Rabbit Hole RepcoLite and Benjamin Moore are hosting "Down the Rabbit Hole" coming up on June 1. It's a deep dive into some creative pioneers and we'll talk about what it is they do that helps them continually find new ideas. In these segments, we talk specifically about what Hailey and Dan each have personally learned in the process of preparing the event. You can learn more about Down the Rabbit Hole here!
SEGMENT 1: TICKS It's already tick season! They're gross and their annoying and dangerous . . . but you can avoid them. As long as you've got the right info! SEGMENTS 2 and 3: Common Paint Questions At RepcoLite.com we have a chat function--like most websites. However, ours is manned entirely by one guy who's always ready with an answer! Peter Ogle runs the chat from 8 AM to 9 PM every weekday and he will go to ridiculous lengths to help customers get the answers they need. Today we talk with Peter about a few of the most common questions he gets. And, he regals us with a story of his most epic chat. SEGMENT 4: Down the Rabbit Hole Coming up on June 1, RepcoLite is hosting our premier yearly event: Down the Rabbit Hole: Finding, and being found by, the next new idea. It's all about creativity and learning how to reignite and recharge your own! And, it's also about free wine and desserts! If you're in the area and would like to join us, https://www.eventbrite.com/e/color-and-design-2022-down-the-rabbit-hole-diy-edition-tickets-321817563997 (you can learn more and secure your tickets here!)
SEGMENT 1: Stain or Paint? We received a great question from a listener regarding some cedar columns outside his home. They're bare wood and he wants them white . . . what's the process, and what products should he be using: Solid Color Stain or Paint? SEGMENTS 2 & 3: 8 Steps to Staying on Budget for Your Next Project https://andyyatesdesign.com/ (Andy Yates from Andy Yates Design) joins us to discuss 8 ways to stay on budget. With supply shortages and rising prices, this is critical info if you're starting, or thinking about starting, a home renovation or a new build! SEGMENT 4: Hailey's New Best Friend, Lomi Hailey has replaced her inner circle of friends with a new favorite: an appliance named Lomi. Lomi is a countertop composter . . . and Hailey adores it. https://pela.earth/lomi?nbt=nb%3Aadwords%3Ag%3A16592870122%3A134352703133%3A588327826259&nb_adtype=&nb_kwd=lomi&nb_ti=kwd-1309544676&nb_mi=&nb_pc=&nb_pi=&nb_ppi=&nb_placement=&nb_si={sourceid}&nb_li_ms=&nb_lp_ms=&nb_fii=&nb_ap=&nb_mt=p&gclid=Cj0KCQjwma6TBhDIARIsAOKuANyFfBsfLIs4dio3Tt4ah9t9ILAzC4yeU7gUpWDkWQIAcX9Kfvcq54IaAvbNEALw_wcB&campaignid=16592870122&adgroupid=134352703133&targetid=kwd-1309544676&creative=588327826259&network=g&device=c&matchtype=p&keyword=lomi&utm_source=google&utm_medium=16592870122&gclid=Cj0KCQjwma6TBhDIARIsAOKuANyFfBsfLIs4dio3Tt4ah9t9ILAzC4yeU7gUpWDkWQIAcX9Kfvcq54IaAvbNEALw_wcB (Check out Lomi for yourself!)
SEGMENT 1: Lead Paint Dilemma Hailey's older home has some peeling paint and is in need of some work. However . . . the whole project took a turn when she discovered that the existing paint is lead based. We discuss what the project looks like now and all the things you need to know if you're in the same situation. SEGMENTS 2 and 3: Beekeeping 101 Recently Hailey started considering a new hobby: beekeeping! To get her feet underneath her she attended a meeting hosted by https://www.facebook.com/groups/grbeeclub/ (the Grand Rapids Bee Club) and was blown away by all the info presented. SEGMENT 4: Steel Door Facelift A listener posted a question regarding her front door--a steel door with badly peeling paint. She wanted to know what she needs to do to get it looking great again! It's a terrific project with a big payoff and we cover all the bases....
Segment 1: The Glass Cleaning Miracle Last weekend, Dan stumbled into a streak-free solution to cleaning windows. It's ridiculously simple and chemical free. Basically, you just need water and these special, microfiber rags (link below). The best news? The system really works! https://www.amazon.com/Microfiber-Glass-Cleaning-Cloths-Chemicals/dp/B00KAJ42GO/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=W7YW9YOHA6A6&keywords=microfiber+cleaning+cloth+for+glass&qid=1650019746&sprefix=microfiber+cleaning+cloth+for+glass%2Caps%2C94&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&smid=A2AV5QWMR0ML75&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUFNSFhUUEY0RjVNWlkmZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTAxMTUxNTUyUDhKQjNXV05NNTlBJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTEwMTI2MDIzQUQ2QkxHOTNBNzlNJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ== (MicroFiber Glass Cleaning Rags)
Segments 2 and 3: Bookshop Magic From time to time, we highlight what we call "Gems of West Michigan"--businesses we want more and more people to know about because we think they're amazing. Well, this week, we interview Aimee Chipman, owner of the Bluestocking Bookshop in Holland to talk about the Bookshop Magic that keeps her customers coming back again and again! Check their website for renovation updates, shopping links, and more! https://www.bluestockingbookshop.com (The Bluestocking Bookshop)
Segment 4: Mural Cover-up We've talked about painting murals onto your walls, but we've never really talked about painting OVER them! If you're ready to cover over a mural and get back to a single color on your wall, there are a few things you'll want to know to make sure you get great results....
SEGMENT 1: Chicken Trouble! The chickens across the street from Hailey got out the other day. At first, it was cute. But then, she found that they had The Hunger. Before she really knew what was happening, they were running around, eating road kill, and . . . Well, she'll tell the story. We also highlight the Wooster Sherlock 9" Roller Frame which is on sale through April. SEGMENT 2: Good Earth Tree Care https://www.goodearthtreecare.com/ (Brett Nelson from Good Earth Tree Care) joins us to talk about rock climbing, pruning, tree removal, and a wide variety of ways to tell if a tree or branch is unhealthy. SEGMENT 3: Luxury Vinyl Plank https://www.johnsoncarpetonegrandville.com/free-carpet-estimate?utm_source=google&utm_medium=ppc&utm_campaign=local (Nick Sargent from Johnson Carpet One in Grandville) joins us to talk about one of the most popular and versatile flooring products out there. SEGMENT 4: Reviving Old Hardwood Floors Luxury Vinyl Plank is a beautiful option for many of us, but there's still nothing like hardwood. If you've got old floors and you're interested in bringing out their natural beauty, we can help!
SEGMENT 1: How to Complete Your Spring To-Do List We all mean well! But sometimes life just gets the best of us and we don't wrap up our projects as quickly as we wish. Today we talk about a simple method that will help you get the most important jobs cross off that to-do list! SEGMENT 2: State of the Real Estate Market, Revisited Last week, https://www.sueprins.com/ (Sue Prins and Ginger Herman) were in the studio talking about what it looks like out there for people trying to buy a home. However, there was one thing Sue wished she had clarified. Well, she's back this week to dot those "i's" and cross those "t's"! SEGMENT 3: Budget-Friendy Ways to Transition Your Decor from Winter to Spring Andy Yates from https://andyyatesdesign.com/ (Andy Yates Design) joins us and dishes out a number of designer tricks to easily move our homes from the cozy feel we created for winter into a more open and airy aesthetic as we head into Spring. SEGMENT 4: Compost Tea If you're composting, here's a tea mixture that you may be interested in! Instructions Tools you will need: 5 gallon bucket Mesh compost tea bag (a 5 Gallon Strainer works great!) Aquarium aerator Aquarium thermometer
Steps: Put 1 large handful of compost, 1 handful of garden soil, 2 handfuls of straw, 3–5 leaves from a healthy plant into the tea bag, tie the bag tightly and submerge it in the bucket of water. Add 1 cup of fish hydrolysate and 1 cup of seaweed extract liquids directly to the water. Place the aerator in the bucket and turn it on. Brew the tea for about 36 hours Monitor the temperature—the optimal temperature is between 68° and 72°F. Compost tea should smell yeasty not like ammonia
Using It: Always use the compost tea right away--do not store it. Dilute it to a 3 parts tea to 1part water ratio before spraying. Gently pouring the tea out of a watering can be better than spraying because the sprayers can actually kill the microbes you’ve been growing Apply early in the morning or late in the evening to avoid burning leaves in the midday sun. Compost tea is great for raised bed gardens! Typically you want to apply it every 14 days
SEGMENT 1: Paint Clean Up Spring's here and, for many of us that means Spring Cleaning . . . . So, with that in mind, we talk about some proper ways to dispose of paint tools and also answer one of the the most common questions we receive: "Do you dispose of unwanted latex paint?" The answer is "Yes!" and we've got all the details on this segment. SEGMENTS 2 and 3: The State of Real Estate The Real Estate market is still crazy! Maybe even crazier than it was a year ago. To get the scoop on what it looks like out there, we sit down with https://www.sueprins.com/ (Sue Prins and Ginger Herman from Sue Prins Group Five Star Real Estate). SEGMENT 4: Paint Superheroes The supply chain is causing all kinds of shortages world wide. And, of course, this even trickles down to paint. For years now, we've spent many segments lauding all the positives of Paint Superheroes like Scuff-X and Advance from Benjamin Moore. BUT, as the ability to get those products becomes tougher, it's important to point out that there are TONS of great products out there with their own super powers. If you need an alternative to a paint product, we've got answers!
SEGMENT 1: Where's the Paint? We sit down with Kevin Hermann from Benjamin Moore to talk about the state of the paint industry. Paint companies world-wide are struggling to some extent, to get the raw ingredients necessary to make paint. What's going on? How are things looking? And when's it going to get better? SEGMENT 2: Carpet Trends 2022 In this segment, Nick Sargent from Johnson Carpet One in Grandville joins us to talk about what 2022 will bring in terms of carpet styles. SEGMENT 3: Picture Rails Dan hung some art in his living room and couldn't, for the life of him, get the pieces in the right spot. So he kept adjusting and moving them and pounding new holes in the wall. In the end, his plaster walls looked like they were they scene for a mob hit. That led him into a long internet search and he ran into an old design concept that might be worth a new look: Picture Rails. SEGMENT 4: Avoiding Finish Regret There are a LOT of paint finishes out there. And finding the right one for your project isn't always easy. We walk through the basics AND give away a Bluetooth Speaker to a lucky listener along the way. (And yes, for some reason, we end up referring to it all segment long as a radio. We don't know why....)
SEGMENT 1: Harald Bluetooth, Part 1 Most of us don't think twice about the technology behind some of the items we use everyday. And if we do, chances are we certainly don't think about how that technology got its name or its logo. Well, today, we look at the surprisingly old (and fun) origins of the Bluetooth name and logo. This segment is part 1. SEGMENTS 2 & 3: Harald Bluetooth, Part 1 We sit down with Andy Yates from Andy Yates Design to discuss the design trends of 2022 and what that means for all of us. If you're interested in contacting Andy, his info is below! https://andyyatesdesign.com/ (Learn more about Andy Yates Design)
SEGMENT4: Harald Bluetooth, Part 2 We finish up the Bluetooth story and talk about how you can win a https://www.amazon.com/JBL-Waterproof-Portable-Bluetooth-Speaker/dp/B07QK2SPP7/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?crid=2DL631BC61XOU&keywords=jbl+flip+5&qid=1647004574&sprefix=jbl+flip%2Caps%2C177&sr=8-2-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEySFBKS05PMEsxRzJSJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwODUwNzQ1MVNZTzQzNUUxWkFOMiZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwMTM5NTc0MksxQTY0WDhZQkcyRiZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU= (JBL Flip 5 Speaker) just by asking a question! See, we're looking for questions from our listeners that we can answer on the show. If you'd like to leave a question, there are a number of options! https://www.repcolite.com/contact-us/ (Ask a question on the RepcoLite Website) https://www.facebook.com/repcolite/ (Ask a question in the comments on our contest post on Facebook)
OR use the coolest method and actually RECORD your question using our Telbee web app! It's easy and a lot of fun . . . AND you could end up on the show! https://telbee.io/channel/blenaxkcdd8eiqcgxdm71q/ (Record my question with the web app!)
SEGMENT 1: The Power of Pickles Pickles and pickle juice may have some remarkable health benefits! https://health.clevelandclinic.org/6-health-benefits-of-drinking-pickle-juice/ (Here are just a few!) SEGMENTS 2 and 3: Skip's Painting--An Origin Story We sit down with Dan Schipper from Skip's Painting to talk about Aura Bath and Spa and Scuff-X from Benjamin Moore. However, along the way we end up the importance of finding satisfaction in the work we do.... SEGMENT 4: Our NEW Favorite Paint! We knew RepcoLite's new OPTIMA was a tremendous wall paint, but we had no idea how remarkable it really is! Hailey put it to the test on a tough project in her dining room and was stunned at the workability, hide, and coverage it offered as she went from white walls, to a deep blue. https://www.repcolite.com/product/optima-premium-ceramic/ (Check out Optima here!)
SEGMENT 1: Painting the Ceiling Like the Pros Kevin Hermann from Benjamin Moore sits down with us to talk about how the pros paint ceilings! Use a ceiling paint -- not just a flat wall paint! Brush Cut the ENTIRE ceiling in first Keep a wet edge when rolling and work across the ceiling in 4' x 4' squares When you apply your second coat, roll the paint in the other direction (if you go East-West for the first coat, go North-South for the second) Don't overapply your paint Turn the heat down a little before you start!
Some products to consider: RepcoLite's Elements Ceiling Paint Benjamin Moore's Super Hide Zero Benjamin Moore's Premium Ceiling Paint (great when you are painting with a color on your ceiling).
SEGMENTS 2 and 3: Garage Heaters Hailey has big plans to turn her garage into an art studio. Thing is . . . we live in Michigan. And that means she has to find a way to heat it in the winter and cool it in the summer. Here are some of the heaters/air conditioners she's found that might work... SEGMENT 4: Zombie-Defying Paint Kits Well. The whole zombie thing was just big talk. To be honest, there's not much these kits will do in that event. However, if you do a fair amount of painting at home, having a stocked set of supplies ready to go can really save your project. We explain how....
SEGMENT 1: Ironing Wood Sure, it's an old trick . . . but we've never tried it before. This week we try to remove dents and dings from unfinished wood with water and an iron. And the results were amazing! SEGMENT 2: Home Gym Colors Last week we talked about creating a home gym. This week, we dig into some colors you may want to consider. SEGMENT 3: Caulk 101 In the paint world, caulk is probably one of the least flashy topics! And yet, when it's done right, your project will look amazing. When it's done poorly (or not done at all) . . . well, the results suffer. SEGMENT 4: Dual Flush Toilets We received a question about Dual Flush Toilets and conversion kits. Are they worth it? Well, to get the answer, we contacted https://www.serviceprofessor.com/ (the experts at Service Professor) and https://www.theplumberishere.com/ (Mark DeVisser from Great Lakes Plumbing.)
SEGMENT 1: A Skunky Valentine What do you do when your dog is sprayed by a skunk? Break out the tomato juice? Toss her in the bathtub? Actually, the right answer involves baking soda, peroxide, and a little dishsoap--just don't leave it on the fur too long, since peroxide could bleach it! https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/de-skunking-your-dog (Here's the article we reference along with a tried and true recipe for de-skunkification.) In this same skunk segment, we "about-face" and transition to some Valentine's Day Trivia. Do you know why women of the middle ages ate hedgehogs? Check out the segment to find out! SEGMENTS 2 and 3: No More Scary Basements Basements often feel uninviting. (And that's putting it mildly). However with a little bit of work and some paint, you can take that old, block wall "dungeon", and brighten it up significantly. We talk about everything you'll need to know to get the project underway. SEGMENT 4: Home Gym Flooring Options In this segment, we sit down with Nick Sargent from Johnson Carpet One to discuss a wide variety of floors for your home gym--everything from heavy-duty rubber for weight lifting, to easy clean floors for yoga. https://www.johnsoncarpetonegrandville.com/luxury-vinyl-flooring-guide (You can learn more about Johnson Carpet One right here!)
SEGMENTS 1 and 2: The Art of Purging (the Home) Getting our homes decluttered and organized isn't always easy. It takes work--physical and emotional! On the show today we talk about some of the reasons we all hang onto far too much stuff . . . and better, we discuss some positive steps to help you start the purge! SEGMENTS 3 and 4: Primers 101 with Dean Veltman We've all heard about Paint and Primer all-in-one products. Today, we sit down with professional contractor, Dean Veltman from Veltman Painting, to discuss his thoughts on those products. From there, we walk through some of his favorite primers for tough situations.
SEGMENT 1: Tool Snobbery Hailey is a very particular person...some people might even say snob. While that may be true, one thing she is NOT a not a snob about is tools. Good tools can definitely make jobs easier, safer and faster. They are absolutely necessary for professionals or serious hobbyists. If you are like most DIY'ers, however, there are tools that can make a project easier but are not going to be used on a regular basis. In this case we do advocate for finding entry level tools. You do not have to buy a $400 chop saw to use it 10 days out of the year. Don't let tool snobbery keep you from tackling a project, just find something safe and affordable.
SEGMENTS 2 and 3: The Five Laws of Interior Design We have come up with our own Laws of Interior Design...while we did technically make these up... they are actually really solid and will hopefully help people who struggle to get their home looking just right. THE FIRST LAW: IT’S OK TO TRY TO BREAK OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE ONLY TO END UP BACK IN IT. It's good to push ourselves once in a while but sometimes we try something new only to find out it's not for us. THE SECOND LAW: LET THE SPACE TELL YOU WHAT IT NEEDS! Listen to the architecture of the home so your design works it with instead of against it. THE THIRD LAW: IT’S OK TO GO SLOWLY! You don't have to figure out the entire design at once. Sometimes doing one color at a time is less overwhelming and can help give you real direction instead of forcing it. THE FOURTH LAW: NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE IMPORTANCE OF SAMPLING COLOR IN YOUR SPACE! Far too often people pick paint colors without sampling them. Scale, lighting and texture can change a color's appearance dramatically. It's worth the extra time to get it right and feel happy about your results. THE FIFTH LAW: IF YOU’VE GOT A PAINT PROJECT ON THE HORIZON, START WORKING ON COLOR CHOICES NOW! If you are going to put these laws into practice, waiting until the last minute is not an option. Give yourself time!
Also, we mentioned that a number of RepcoLite locations have In Store Color Consultants who will do an in-home consultation should you desire that! Here are some details: In store Consultations: Always Free! 1 Hour In Home Consultation: $85 In-Home Consultants are at the following locations: 17th Street (Holland) Fulton Street (Grand Rapids) Plainfield Ave (Grand Rapids) Chicago Drive (Jenison)
Stop by or call any of those locations for more info! SEGMENT 4: Our Apologies to Plastic Drop Cloths Last week we talked about canvas drop cloths and ended up disparaging plastic drop cloths. In fact, we were drop cloth snobs. And so we wanted to give them their time in the limelight as well. There definitely are places they can be handy!
SEGMENTS 1 and 2: Organizational Skills for the New Year Many of us aren't as organized as we'd like to be. It's a goal, sure, but getting there isn't always easy. In these two segments, we talk about a number of skills to develop that will help you on the journey. (And yes, it's a journey... Understanding that is part of the recipe for success!) Here are some of our recommendations: Have a place for everything and put everything in its place Put items away now, rather than later Tools Dishes Dirty clothes Develop a productive routine Open and deal with mail on a daily basis Have a set day for watering plants Wash dishes after every dinner Label everything! If you go down the road of storing items in totes . . . label them! And maintain those labels -- when items change, relabel Stay positive and remember it's a PROCESS
SEGMENT 3: Steps to Creating a Home YOU Love with Lauren Figueroa https://www.lfdesigns.co/ (Connect with Lauren here!) SEGMENT 4: Drop Cloths You may think drop cloths are boring, but you'd be SO wrong! Sure they are absolutely critical to have on hand when you tackle paint projects around the home, but there's so much more you can do! Just google "drop cloth projects" and sit back! We talk about a few of the fun things people are doing with drop cloths and highlight a sale that we've got running right now.
SEGMENT 1: Chamberlain Garage Door System https://www.amazon.com/Smart-Garage-Opener-Chamberlain-myQ-G0401/dp/B08GD3D9YJ/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?crid=2DMGORG4YBHKE&keywords=chamberlain+garage+door+opener&qid=1641650430&sprefix=chamberlain%2Caps%2C942&sr=8-2-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExT0s4TFRPSUFMVEtSJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMDQ5NTI5MjVXUUxNNjNSNjBZRiZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwODE2NDU4MUtBV1owR1VFRVVYTiZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU= (Thinking about a smart garage door system? Here's an inexpensive way to give it a try!) SEGMENTS 2 and 3: Veltman Painting on Kitchen Cabinets In these segments, Dean Veltman, owner of Veltman Painting, discusses products, tips and tricks, and everything else you need to know if you're going to hire a contractor to paint your cabinets. https://www.veltmanpainting.com (Veltman Painting's website and contact info is here!) SEGMENT 4: The Old Farmer's Almanac We talk about the smart phone of 1792 and why you still need one today!
Because it's New Year's Day, we decided to run one of our favorite episodes from the past. Here's our episode on Failure! SEGMENT 1: Backing out of Color Mistakes SEGMENTS 2 and 3: The Invention of the Telegraph SEGMENT 4: Unique Accent Walls
For the first time, we're running a full-blown Christmas special! Merry Christmas, everyone! SEGMENT 1: Family Traditions SEGMENTS 2 and 3: Christmas Traditions from Around the World In these segments, we explore a number of remarkably strange traditions, including a tradition from Spain that you almost have to hear to believe . . . . SEGMENT 4: Christmas Movie Debate What's the Best Christmas movie out there? Is Die Hard REALLY a Christmas film? How does "The Grinch" fare in our opinions? We dig into all of these weighty matters and more....
SEGMENTS 1 and 2: Mel Trotter Ministries In this segment we're on the phone with Beth Fisher and Regina Dix from Mel Trotter Ministries in Grand Rapids, talking about the homelessness situation and what we can all do. https://www.meltrotter.org/give (Here's the link if you'd like to help out with a donation!)
SEGMENT 3: Last Minute Gifts Every year around this time, we sit down with Jeff Rietveld from Out of the Box Games, Toys, and Puzzles to get his take on the best games for the season. Here's the 2021 list! https://ootbgames.com/ (Find more info about Out of the Box here!)
SEGMENT 4: Christmas Contest Finale Today we dole out the last 4 clues in our Christmas Scavenger Hunt. https://www.repcolite.com/2021-christmas-sweepstakes/ (Find the Entry Form here!) https://bistrobellavita.com/ (More info about Bistro Bella Vita)
SEGMENT 1: To Flush or Not to Flush? Flushing the hot water heater is a common recommendation when you peruse DIY forums. However . . . there are a couple things to consider before you jump into that seemingly simple DIY project. SEGMENT 2: Miracle Dryer Balls Hailey is dealing with a lot of static electricity at home--especially in the laundry. And she's stumbled on a simple laundry room item that may help! https://www.amazon.com/SnugPad-Dryer-Natural-Fabric-Softener/dp/B074PFTJTZ/ref=sr_1_3_sspa?keywords=dryer+balls&qid=1639145319&sr=8-3-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExSFhXSFkyV09IVUk3JmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNDE5OTM2Sk42SFZDTjBOQVNFJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTAxNjQ4MjkyNVlZWjhXMlRYSkNFJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ== (Check these Wool Dryer Balls out here!) SEGMENT 3: Wood Staining Tips As we discuss in the segment, stains are sensitive! And by that, we mean the final color of any particular on wood stain is determined by more than just the color of liquid stain. We talk about all the things to pay attention to for great results every time! SEGMENT 4: Christmas Contest Hints Our Christmas Scavenger Hunt is in full swing right now! On this segment, we talk about all the cool stuff you and your family can do at the Muskegon Luge Sports Adventure Park (previously the Muskegon Winter Sports Complex). We also dish out a few more hints so you can enter our contest without having to travel!
SEGMENT 1: The Hot Water Heater Fiasco Hot water heaters don't last forever! And when they go . . . well, they really can go! Dan's 10 year old hot water heater burst on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving and in about 30 minutes the 1/2 the basement had an inch of water over the floor. On the show, we dug into some of the lessons learned . . . and really, it's all about being prepared. Here are some ideas (and these work for ANY water-related fiasco): Know how to shut down your water heater in case of an emergency Locate the water shut off valves and make your whole family aware Get a good wet/dry vac and a submersible pump (if you don't have a sump pump pit) If you don't have a "go-to" plumber now, find one . . . when you don't have an emergency
SEGMENTS 2 and 3: Quick Holiday Transformations There's not a ton of time left before Christmas and New Year's, so we didn't want to dig into all kinds of huge paint projects. Instead, we decided to focus on some quick transformations for you home. SEGMENT 4: Christmas Tree 101 Hailey loves to pick out her Christmas tree every year . . . but every year, she forgets which kind is the right one for her. So today, she walks through some of the trees that we'll find when we go shopping as well as some pros and cons for each! ALSO!!!! We launch our 2021 Christmas Sweepstakes. Find all the information in the segment!
SEGMENT 1: Surfactant Leaching Surfactant leaching is a somewhat common issue in newly painted bathrooms with high humidity. It can look TERRIBLE on your walls . . . but it's easy to take care of! SEGMENTS 2-4: Home Repair Services Home Repair Services is an organization in Kent County that we feel everyone needs to know about! We'll do our best as we spend three segments talking with Executive Director, Joel Ruiter.
SEGMENT 1: The Wishbone's Strange History We all know the Thanksgiving tradition of two people pulling apart the wishbone to see who gets the wish . . . but do you know where this strange tradition comes from? Tune in to find out! SEGMENT 2: Holiday Survival Guide Whether you're a person who enjoys big Holiday gatherings or not, they can be a little stressful. We put together a Holiday Survival Gide that is sure to make family gatherings more enjoyable for both hosts and guests. SEGMENTS 3 and 4: Brilliant Gift Recommendations This is our 5th Annual Gift Guide and Dan is trying desperately to "win". Sadly, he comes up short again . . . . Gifts for the Whole Family Hailey: https://www.meijergardens.org/membership/ (Frederick Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park Family Membership) Dan: Home Theater (you can do it well AND cheaper than you may think!) https://www.amazon.com/YABER-V6-Bluetooth-Projector-1920×1080P/dp/B08HLLQV1J/ref=sr_1_6?keywords=yaber+projector+y6&qid=1636726622&qsid=144-1723617-6692443&sr=8-6&sres=B097R5N19G%2CB07Q2BV8LN%2CB096RRP5V7%2CB08HLLQV1J%2CB091Z622NW%2CB08BJB2K7L%2CB082F13J55%2CB09F9GB4Y6%2CB08P4MBK17%2CB07XKS5PQG%2CB07YBRGLGW%2CB07ZNSPZWX%2CB09FJMGT3F%2CB07MTCMHZX%2CB09CDNVSYK%2CB07R7BN2VC&srpt=VIDEO_PROJECTOR (Yaber Projector) https://www.amazon.com/Projector-Screen-Stand-100-inch/dp/B07BPY2T69/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?keywords=movie%2Bprojector%2Bscreen&qid=1636726787&sr=8-2-spons&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExOUJGMUIzR0lSRk1VJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwODI3OTIzM0VXMFhMRVhPOVRPRSZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwODcxMjM3MkZGUDFJV0lKQ0pQUCZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU&th=1 (Pop-up Screen)
Gifts for Kids and Teens Hailey: (Kids) Dinosaur Explorer Gift set. But it's not just the set . . . get other related items and create a world! https://www.amazon.com/Ivy-Step-Tyrannosaurus-Stegosaurus-Prehistoric/dp/B07Q1G37WF/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=dinosaur+explorer+pack&qid=1636641583&qsid=141-6270761-2009814&sr=8-5&sres=B07Q1G37WF%2CB07W8YKVMB%2CB01M4F9410%2CB07YQ844Y7%2CB006AJ9LL4%2CB07L9F1XMM%2CB08CDJL4BW%2CB07JFXMMKB%2CB008E37IIC%2CB07RLQTHTH%2CB01KJEOCDW%2CB07L9KWNQW%2CB07MQBPNQ5%2CB07BFC55YN%2CB07KGJYH43%2CB09BHWW4KJ%2CB091GCYVZC%2CB07Q6B4SHM%2CB08CJ3NDKN%2CB08X6QJMC2 (Explorer Pack) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07W8YKVMB?pd_rd_i=B07W8YKVMB&pd_rd_w=Om4ze&pf_rd_p=7ea8e9d0-fed1-49e8-a002-f2d3f5cb151d&pd_rd_wg=stiJf&pf_rd_r=D6WSKXGNZ47HGMXNQFHA&pd_rd_r=8a8214f8-a18d-4233-9e32-417430e456a8 (Dino Egg Excavation Kit)
Dan: (Teens) https://mysteriouspackage.com (A Mysterious Package Experience). You'll receive a package (or multiples) in the mail and within, you'll find letters, documents, artifacts and more that tell an unfolding story or mystery that you are challenged to solve! Gifts for the Hard-To-Buy-For Person Hailey: Snacks from around the world! Pick a country and receive a package of their favorite snacks. https://www.amazon.com/Japanese-Candy-Dagashi-Snacks-Gum/dp/B07CGPLXG9/ref=sr_1_10?keywords=Japanese+snack+box&qid=1636641984&qsid=141-6270761-2009814&sr=8-10&sres=B096ZD7LXC%2CB07CXX4YCX%2CB01DHYLBIK%2CB096XC5TLM%2CB072PWS148%2CB07CGPLXG9%2CB08P2W4LBG%2CB07VQV7NJY%2CB098RLB51S%2CB089DS3T7P%2CB076X1VB5S%2CB08P7NCCT9%2CB084RK9HB7%2CB01HT8JUT2%2CB07W5R82YS%2CB00URCF2B8%2CB07YJMJ9HL%2CB014P84FN0%2CB00V9ZHMD8%2CB07L63SYBD (Japan's Favorite Snacks (for example))
Dan: https://www.audible.com/ep/giftcenter?ref=a_hp_t1_navTop_pl4&pf_rd_p=9065d82a-026b-48c0-bf82-e0180cbf117e&pf_rd_r=YBKCVY4ZCGZHR2KDMS5V (An Audible Subscription). Give the gift of books on audio. Yes, it's a digital gift and no it doesn't have a lot of flair . . . but it does have "staying power"! This is the kind of gift that will likely be used ALL year long. Personally, I've listened to over 27 books in the last year . . . some of which (Anna Karenina, I'm looking at you) I don't think I'd have made it...
SEGMENT 1: Holiday Cleaning Tips The Holidays are closing in and those of us who are hosting Thanksgiving and Christmas parties are starting to pull our homes together for guests. If cleaning is a big "To-Do" on your list, we've got some tips for getting some key areas in your home sparkling! And here are links to the cleaners we mentioned: https://www.amazon.com/Zep-Heavy-Duty-Cleaner-ZUCITCA24-Restaurant/dp/B07ZG5TQNQ/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=zep+heavy+duty+degreaser&qid=1636723177&qsid=136-7744912-9048309&sr=8-5&sres=B079ZJQ7ZK%2CB07X3X1RQJ%2CB07ZG5TQNQ%2CB07TK3WVF1%2CB00D8OLMI4%2CB07P5WDKN9%2CB08Q1RDMB8%2CB0013B1Y0U%2CB079ZP5TCN%2CB00FQT5SIO%2CB001PNEVK6%2CB07WK89K45%2CB00999HUL0%2CB00CLVC414%2CB00RAQENBY%2CB07R921BJW&srpt=CLEANING_AGENT (Zep Heavy Duty Degreaser) https://www.amazon.com/Method-Heavy-Degreaser-Cleaner-Lemongrass/dp/B08BM2BMYH/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=method+heavy+duty+degreaser&qid=1636723211&qsid=136-7744912-9048309&sr=8-3&sres=B06ZZF3FV2%2CB08BM2BMYH%2CB093DWRGV8%2CB06ZZ6BTNT%2CB07G9J888F%2CB007RFQ8WK%2CB01JZX6K1U%2CB07KKNLBL1%2CB01M5EILYI%2CB07JBNJ5JJ%2CB00CHNK5WG%2CB00X1INBQS%2CB07H42SZ13%2CB00DT3PSPM%2CB06XX85RSS%2CB01M2X7SOX%2CB01FXMM0RK%2CB00022W4ZU%2CB07KFFMHQF%2CB000S5TJ5Y&srpt=CLEANING_AGENT (Method Heavy Duty Degreaser)
SEGMENTS 2 and 3: Winter Prep with Ayers Basement Systems Is your home cold in the winter? Is the basement frigid? Do you have a dirt floor crawlspace? Would you like to save 22% on your energy bill from here on out? If you answer "yes" to any of those questions, check out this interview with Zack Krieger from Ayers Basement Systems. Zack has a ton of great info about how to make our homes more comfortable in the winter as well as a way to bring our energy bills down significantly. SEGMENT 4: Paint and Stain Touch-Up Tips We started the show talking about cleaning for the Holidays. But when we clean, we're likely going to notice a lot of little areas on our trim and on our walls that need to be touched up! Dings, scratches, gouges . . . how do we fix them quickly and effectively? We've got the answers!
SEGMENT 1: Paint Hack Attack Life hacks are all over the internet! And many of them are just terrible ideas . . . . One "paint hack from the pros" that we ran across involved pounding holes in the rim of your paint can. We talk about why that's such a bad idea. SEGMENT 2: Color of the Year 2022 Benjamin Moore's Color of the Year for 2022 is October Mist. It's a great color that "plays nice" with so many other colors! It's easy to work with and might be something to consider as you plan your next paint project. https://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/color-overview/color-palettes/color-of-the-year-2022 (Benjamin Moore Color Trends 2022)
SEGMENT 3: Tablescapes Made Easy Putting together a centerpiece for your holiday table is easy. You just have to start with a few basic concepts and work from there! SEGMENT 4: Avoiding Scams It's pretty much always "Scam Season". We've all run into them from time to time and some of us have been hooked and taken for a ride. We talk about some current scams going on in the Holland area as well as some basics behind what scammers do and why. All of that info should help us avoid getting suckered by that next phone call. Here are the articles we referenced in the discussion: https://www.usa.gov/common-scams-frauds (Common Scams and Frauds) https://theconversation.com/why-do-we-fall-for-scams-55543 (Why Do We Fall for Scams) https://www.cityofholland.com/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=393&fbclid=IwAR0GPwZeA_Tv06vTPpOolc2IuGwRlJQ-wJUjTVw8HyI6u425XVm1yJC76yA (Avoid Falling Victim to Scams)
Segment 1: The Best Leaf Tarp When you have a lot of leaves to deal with in the fall, you get creative! You look for new solutions everywhere. Well, I stumbled into what I think is the best leaf tarp out there. And it's actually a dump truck tarp. We'll tell you why we like it so much. https://www.amazon.com/Truck-Vinyl-Coated-Tarps-Pocket/dp/B0178J6IYC/ref=sr_1_7?crid=14F1ZG1I1KRBL&dchild=1&keywords=dump+truck+tarp&qid=1635513793&qsid=136-7744912-9048309&sprefix=dump+truck+tarp%2Caps%2C322&sr=8-7&sres=B0029WA6XS%2CB07ZPDSK68%2CB0178J6IYC%2CB07MD6CXB9%2CB085WD218T%2CB085HCXPQB%2CB07N96GHMN%2CB082J61KGK%2CB01MCYNASC%2CB07ND2HVV2%2CB07THQYZTW%2CB07N95VFZS%2CB08G2YPMXW%2CB0973DH1HW%2CB085RHWYV3%2CB07ND3GWGY%2CB081CBM1LG%2CB085DBXGY1%2CB07ND2J1KD%2CB07QWMQ9WJ&srpt=TARP (Here's the tarp we were referencing)
Segment 2: 10 Minutes with Your Refrigerator Our refrigerators don't ask for much! But one thing we can do to possibly extend their life is to periodically clean the condenser coils. We'll tell you how (and the good news is it's quick!) Segments 3 and 4: Hailey's Monumental Bathroom Re-do Hailey's cat, Berger, couldn't get to his litter box the other day . . . and two weeks later, Hailey had a brand new bathroom. We'll talk about all the crazy steps in between!
This episode, we explore the concept of failure. So often we fear it and do everything to avoid it . . . but it's part of life! And it's part of every great endeavor. But, not every instance of failure or complication we encounter should be handled in exactly the same way.... SEGMENT 1: Backing out of Color Mistakes When choosing colors, most of us put a lot of blood, sweat, and tears into making the right choice! But even then . . . sometimes when we roll the new paint onto the walls, we wonder if we've made the right call! If you've ever been in that situation and have worried you made the wrong "color call" . . . here are a few considerations: FIRST: Colors change as they dry down — sometimes dramatically - so give the paint time to dry before you react too quickly! SECOND: Colors are affected by our surroundings! If the wall is a different color, and you view the new color framed with that older color, your impression of your new color may not be accurate at all. You may need to paint an entire section, covering up that old color entirely, before you're able to judge the color accurately. THIRD: If you know you just picked the wrong color, here's what we can do in the paint store to help: Tinted paint CAN be changed, but only in limited degrees. However, if your color is close, but just leans "too gray" or "too green", "too yellow" or "too pink", then usually we can adjust it to an acceptable hue. We can also deepen the color to some extent, but the amount of change we can affect is limited by the base used for the original color and the colorant already present in the mix. Finally, lightening colors is very limited.
The best course of action is to reach out to any RepcoLite or Port City Paints and talk through the situation. FOURTH: There’s nothing better than avoiding a problem in the first place Benjamin Moore Sample pints Paint it in your home View it in your lighting! Make sure you got it right RepcoLite's Color Consultants In-home visits for $50/hour Free in-store consultations
SEGMENTS 2 and 3: Tragedy, Failure, and the History of The Telegraph With almost all invention, the road from concept to reality, is usually bumpy! The history of the invention of the telegraph is no different. But there are great lessons tucked inside the story! SEGMENT 4: A New Take on Feature Walls We can't focus on failures the whole episode! Now it's time to jump into a project that really caught our eye over the last couple weeks: feature walls done not with just paint or wallpaper . . . but with wood strips. It's a great project, a simple project, and can have a tremendous amount of impact in your space!
SEGMENT 1: Instagram Contest SEGMENT 2: Supporting the Arts in Grand Rapids with Lions and Rabbits SEGMENT 3: Drill Bits 101 SEGMENT 4: The History of Trim
SEGMENT 1: Escape Rooms Out of the Box Games and Toys is a gem of West Michigan! They have an AMAZING selection of unique games and toys. The Zeeland location has something extra special we needed to experience for ourselves...an Escape Room! Learn about what an escape room entails and if we made it out in time! https://ootbgames.com (Out of the Box) has 3 locations. Find them in Kentwood, Zeeland and Holland. The Zeeland Location is the only store with Escape Rooms. These rooms can hold 6-12 people depending on which room you choose. They also vary in difficulty and are friendly for a variety of ages and skill levels. Escape Rooms are designed around a theme and require you to work as a team to solve the puzzles and riddles in order to make it out.
SEGMENT 2: Unusual Trim Colors Usually the first color that comes to mind when painting trim is "white" but we want to challenge that convention. Using a color other than white on trim can actually be the best of both worlds. We discuss when / where it makes sense. Painting trim colors other than white started to gain popularity about 5 years ago. At the time it seemed ridiculous but it's proven to be a design choice that has a lot to offer. Using a color on trim can have a big design impact without overwhelming the space. This design is easiest to implement in rooms with defined starting and stopping points. If you love color but also want to maximize the light in your space using white on the walls and color on the trim could be the compromise you have been looking for.
SEGMENT 3: Steam Cleaning Hailey has a new steamer!... That may not sound terribly exciting but you would not believe all the things you can do with https://www.amazon.com/Dupray-Cleaner-Multipurpose-Steamer-Floors/dp/B07C44DM6D/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?dchild=1&keywords=Dupray+Steam+Cleaner&qid=1632489809&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExWDJaMTRCQ0U4VkFCJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUExMDM1NjM1STRNU0xUOVBINjI5JmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA4ODE5MjJIQVJZOTVETFQ5U0Umd2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGYmYWN0aW9uPWNsaWNrUmVkaXJlY3QmZG9Ob3RMb2dDbGljaz10cnVl (Dupray's Neat Steam Cleaner). Hailey gives a full review after putting it to the test. Tested the steamer on a stove top to remove serious carbon build up, on wool upholstery to remove a black grease stain, carpet stains and more! Amazing results. Dupray Neat Steam Cleaner is extremely simple to use, stores easily, reaches 50 psi, heats to 275 degrees, comes with 10 attachments and can produce continuous steam for 50 min. Easily eliminates; dirt, grease, soap scum, stains, 99.9% of bacteria and viruses, bedbugs and mold. You can use it on; floors, furniture, toys, kitchen appliances, car interiors, grout and tiles, bathrooms and more.
SEGMENT 4: Removing Wallpaper Wallpaper gets a bad reputation because people believe that it is extremely difficult to remove. However, wallpaper can be easily removed if properly installed. It may be tempting but painting over wallpaper instead of stripping it can lead to problems. Stripping wallpaper is another perfect use for the Dupray Neat Steamer we discussed in the previous segment! The large paddle attachment works great and has been well reviewed for this application. If you decide to forgo the steamer here are some supplies you will need: https://www.repcolite.com/product/dif-wallpaper-stripper/ (DIF), https://www.repcolite.com/product/dif-paper-tiger/ (Paper Tiger), Spray Bottle, Large Putty Knife, Hot water, Lots of towels.The most important thing is letting the DIF product and water do the work for you. Don't rush! Water based paint CAN be used over wallpaper but does have the ability to cause paper to bubble. Oil based primer is better if you do decide to go down that road. Just remember paint will make the seams of wallpaper very obvious no matter what paint you use. Once...
Segments 1 & 2: Art Appreciation 101 ArtPrize is back for it’s 10th year! We discuss the process of viewing art and ways to create a better connection with what is in front of us. We encourage everyone to go out and enjoy the events and festivities. https://www.artsy.net/article/artsy-editorial-long-people-spend-art-museums (How Long Do People Really Spend Looking at Art in Museums) https://www.artprize.org (Artprize) https://www.meijergardens.org/calendar/member-opening-vlm/ (The Sword in the Sphinx)
Segment 3: Dealing with Grubs Innocent looking problems in the yard can turn out to be a whole lot of yuck. Are those brown patches of grass pointing to a bigger problem? Find out what to look for and how to fix it. https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/how_to_choose_and_when_to_apply_grub_control_products_for_your_lawn (How to Choose and When to Apply Grub Control Products to Your Yard ) https://tomlinsonbomberger.com/blog/how-late-can-i-put-down-grub-control/ (How Late Can I Put Down Grub Control) https://hortnews.extension.iastate.edu/2008/9-10/grubs.html (Is It Too Late to Treat for White Grubs)
Segment 4: Fall Painting Do's and Don'ts Cooler weather heading into fall is a great time to finish last minute paint jobs. HOWEVER, there are still some factors to be aware of. Find out what the cooler temps mean for painting.
Due to a bit of a crazy week, we ended up handpicking some of our favorite segments from the past! SEGMENTS 1 and 2: Composting 101 Fall is on the way and it's the perfect time to start composting! If you've never tried your hand at this, check out these segments. We've got all the info you need to jump in with confidence! SEGMENT 3: The Fireplace Paint Job The fireplace in my home is composed of 80's brick. You know the look. It's dark, it's overpowering . . . it's dated. Well, we painted it and the results are amazing. It's a project EVERYONE can tackle . . . but there are a few things you'll want to know. We cover all of that! SEGMENT 4: Refrigerator Makeover This is an unusual one, but every now and then, someone asks! The question? Can I paint my refrigerator? Of course! We'll tell you how....
Segments 1 and 2: The Arctic Tern Project We speak with James Van't Slot about a major DIY project he undertook a number of years back: building a sailboat! https://goo.gl/photos/DSrhFBAvPVaA4bPK9 (Click here if you'd like to check out the images James captured during every step of the project!) Segment 3: Renovation Loans with Stockton Mortgage Amanda Lehman from Stockton Mortgage gets us all up to speed on a loan that could help you snag your dream home! Segment 4: Solo Stove and RepcoLite's September Contest We're heading into fall and that means campfires! If you've never heard of a Solo Stove Fire Pit before, we highlight the main reasons you'll want on. Number one on the list? It's smokeless! On top of that, we talk about a new contest that will run in all of our stores this September, giving you a chance to win one!
SEGMENT 1: Safety First Dan rips his pants...and to put it all behind him we recount a few stories that might help you slow down. We are all guilty of rushing and not taking proper safety precautions...but is it worth it? SEGMENT 2: Dealing with Paint Shortages Product shortages are the never ending story right now in almost every industry. We are joined by Kevin Herman; Benjamin Moore Territory Rep to get the scoop on what we are experiencing in the paint industry. We will leave you with a few things to keep in mind during your next visit. SEGMENT 3: Home Buying Hope Hailey got a house! It’s been months of searching but it’s finally happened. We go through her house buying journey and what she learned along the way. If you are looking or thinking about looking for a house these tips might help. SEGMENT 4: The Order of Decorating Whether you are decorating an entire house or just a room, the task can be daunting. The trick that can help you is; working “in order”. Many of us paint first but there are some problems that can create...
https://www.repcolite.com/episode-226-unfinished-business-painting-vinyl-floors-touch-up-science-stud-finders (CLICK HERE FOR THIS EPISODE'S SHOW NOTES) SEGMENT 1: Unfinished Business We have made some promises over the year and we haven’t forgotten! Learn weather that raving review of EGO Lawn Equipment has stood the test time. Plus an extra tip that we forgot to include in the camera as a tool segment. SEGMENT 2: Painting Vinyl Floors I've seen more and more pictures on instagram and pinterest showing painted vinyl and linoleum floors in kitchens and bathrooms. It’s a simple project with a huge impact especially if you have a limited budget. However, it’s not a perfect solution, tune in to learn what they don't show on instagram. SEGMENT 3: Touch-up Paint Recently we had a listener reach out about touching up paint in her living room. She used the same color and finish but the touch up paint did not blend in and she was back at square one. Learn what you can do now that will save you from the same fate. SEGMENT 4: Stud Finders (and more) You won’t want to miss this confession...as we revisit the topic of drywall anchors, Dan hears his favorite words. Plus we review the easiest and most accurate stud finder we have ever used!
https://www.repcolite.com/Episode-225:-Rotting-Lunchbox-Story,-Fireplace-Makeover,-Window-Treatment-Bloopers (CLICK HERE FOR THIS EPISODE'S SHOW NOTES) SEGMENT 1: Rotting Lunchbox Story I am sure now is the time we are going through school supplies, backpacks and lunch boxes to sort the chaos that came home the last day of school. Some of us may be discovering there was a lunch box with a truly disgusting surprise. If you find yourself in that situation...there are some tools that might save the day. SEGMENTS 2 and 3: Fireplace Makeover Painting a brick fireplace is a big commitment but it also makes a giant impact on a space. We have talked about projects like this in the past so we decided to tackle it ourselves and LOVE the results. Tune in to hear about what we learned after we started painting and what tools you need to avoid our mistakes. SEGMENT 4: Window Treatment Bloopers Judy Cisler from Gotcha Covered custom window treatments joins us in the studio to discuss some famous mistakes people have made when buying window coverings. They are fun to hear about but not so fun to experience. Learn what not to do next time you shop.
SEGMENT 1: Why are Barns Red? The red barn is an icon of rural America. But why red? We've got the answers... SEGMENT 2: Cramped Bathroom Makeover Interior designer Lauren Figueroa talks about how she took a dated, cramped bathroom and made it feel large and spacious without changing the square footage! https://www.lfdesigns.co/post/alger-bathroom (Check out Lauren's work here!)
SEGMENT 3: Drywall Anchors Sure, when hanging objects on our walls, it's best to anchor them into studs. But, that's not always possible. In those situations, you may need to use a drywall anchor. However . . . there are a wide variety of them and some far outperform others. We've got the scoop! https://youtu.be/lHb-Tcvkn7M (Here's the video we referenced)
SEGMENT 4: Furniture Shopping 101 Furniture is a major purchase and it's important to get it right. Today on the show, we discuss a number of things to consider before you hand over the money for that new couch!
https://www.repcolite.com/episode-223-decluttering-the-mud-nook-kitchen-cleaner-review-painting-foundations (CLICK HERE TO VISIT OUR FULL SHOWNOTES PAGE) Segment 1: Decluttering We all have cluttered spaces in our home. And yes, sometimes, we've spent a good number of months letting them get that way. But the good news is that decluttering is manageable! In this segment we talk about a few simple steps that will help you get started. Segment 2: The Mud Nook Many of us would love to have a huge mudroom . . . . Benches, ample storage for boots and coats . . . . But most of us just don't have the space. In this segment, we speak with https://michaelanoelledesigns.blogspot.com/2019/11/diy-mudroom-bench.html (Michaela Noelle from Michaela Noelle Designs about a small mudroom "nook" she and her husband pulled together). Segment 3: Kitchen Cleaner Review We discuss 4 of the internet's most recommended kitchen cleaners and see how they perform. Also, we stumble into another cleaner that is basically a weapon of nearly unlimited power. It can do stuff that few other cleaners we've ever used can do . . . . But as they say, with great power comes great responsibility . . . . Segment 4: Painting Foundations Unpainted foundations . . . or foundations that have been patched . . . can give your home a bit of an unfinished look. If you're looking for an inexpensive curb appeal project with a big payoff, this might be for you!
Segment 1: Color Consultations We often mention that we have color consultants in our stores that are ready to help. However, some people may be left wondering what exactly a color consultation is or when they are helpful… so to give us some insight on the process we are joined by our Fulton St. Color Consultant Myra Maness. Segments 2 and 3: Deck Transformation Coating a deck is probably the most common exterior DIY project. Yet most of us are prone to avoiding the process because the prep work can take days. Luckily there is a way around this! We’ll tell you exactly how we made a deck look brand new in under 5 hours! Segment 4: The Pictures We Forget to Take Whether we like it or not most of us are attached to our phones, so why not put them to work? We discuss some of the smart ways to use your phone's camera as a tool during your next project.
Segment 1: Refrigerator Paint Job We received a question from a listener wondering if it was possible to paint his refrigerator. Actually, it's a relatively simple project provided you follow a few basic steps! Segment 2: The Ins & Outs and Ups & Downs of Window Treatments! Judy Cisler from https://www.gotchacovered.com/grand-rapids/ (Gotcha Covered of Grand Rapids) joins us in the studio to discuss window treatments. We talk about the terminology and how you can decide which ones are right for your home. Segment 3: Foundational Issues Zack Krieger from https://www.ayersbasementsystems.com (Ayers Basement Systems) speaks with us about concerns regarding the foundations of our homes. He talks about some common problems and the solutions. And of course, he provides us with a number of things to look for so you can determine if your home's foundation needs a little expert help. Segment 4: Refrigerators Revisited To wrap up the show, we return full circle to refrigerators. In the opening segment we talked about how to paint them. This time we talk about some interesting design ideas and fun "refrigerator makeovers" that are cropping up all over Instagram.
Segment 1: Nagging Laundry Room Projects We talk about these things often, but that's because they're important AND easy to forget about! So today we cover a couple laundry room maintenance tasks that you should be accomplishing. Segments 2 and 3: 8 Details to Consider in Your Next Kitchen Update We chat with Interior Designer, Lauren Figueroa, about eight design details you may want to consider if you're looking at a kitchen update. Check out her blog post below: https://www.lfdesigns.co/post/8-details-to-consider-including-in-your-next-kitchen-update (8 Details to Consider In Your Next Kitchen Update )
Segment 4: Kitchen Updates on a Budget Not everyone is in a spot right now where a full kitchen update is possible. (I'm not!!) And so, for those of us in that situation, we thought we'd talk about the tremendous difference a simple kitchen cabinet repaint can make in your home!
Segment 1: The "Old Glory" Story Dan recounts the dramatic tale of how the flag won the nickname "Old Glory". Segment 2: Flag Etiquette There are rules when it comes to proudly displaying the old "Stars and Stripes". And we're going to bet that a number of you are breaking at least one or two of them! We talk about the proper way to respectfully display the American Flag and we talk about the rituals that make up the "retirement" ceremony of a flag when it reaches that age! Segment 3: Styling Shelves the Easy Way http://www.michaelanoelledesigns.com (Interior Designer, Michaela Noelle), joins us to talk some key mistakes to avoid when styling shelves. She also walks us through her 4-step process to beautiful built-ins! http://michaelanoelledesigns.blogspot.com/2019/09/4-steps-to-style-your-bookshelves-what.html (4 Steps to Style Your Bookshelves by Michaela Noelle Designs)
Segment 4: Finding a Contractor Contractors are crazy busy right now! We talk with RepcoLite's sales manager, Ryan Mullen about the best steps to finding and hiring a contractor for that next project. (Hint: the BEST tip is to start looking NOW).
Segment 1: Recycling the Right Way Are you a contaminator or are you shutting down recycling plants?? There are big stakes when it comes to what we put in our recycling bins. Learn how to avoid the most common recycling mistakes! http://www.reimaginetrash.org/recycle/recycling-accepted-material/ (Kent County Accepted Materials) https://www.michigan.gov/documents/deq/DEQ_Recycling101_web_511597_7.pdf (Recycling 101) http://meijercommunity.com/plastic-bag-recycling (Grocery Bag Recycling)
Segment 2 & 3: Meeting the Man Behind the Chat Peter Ogle from our online chat joins us in the studio! Peter has been manning our online chat from 8am - 9pm M-F to make sure your questions can always be answered. Today we go over some of the most common questions. Segment 4: Beautiful Lawns All Summer Long Dan inherited a flawless lawn when he bought his house and it's been stressful knowing how to keep it looking great. We have tips to take the guesswork out of having a healthy, beautiful lawn this summer. https://www.milorganite.com/blog/Lawn/how-grow-deep-grass-roots (How to Grow Deep Grass Roots) https://www.lawn-care-academy.com/grass-root-growth.html (Improving Grass Growth) https://www.scotts.com/en-us/library/lawn-care-basics/lawn-watering-tips (Lawn Watering Tips)
Segment 1: Happy Fathers Day! Dan recounts some of his favorite childhood memories of his Dad and the lessons that come along with them. Segment 2: The Unexpected History of Ladders There are a lot of everyday tools and objects that we take for granted. We never stop to think where it all began...In the case of the Ladder its story begins in Spain, as cave paintings, that date back to 10,000 BC! We dig into the innovations as well as the 40 years of bad luck! https://www.repcolite.com/episode-217-a-fathers-day-story-ladder-history-the-best-tape-saving-your-carpet (Fun Superstitious Fixes from History)
Segment 3: Is Painter's Tape worth it? Taping is our least favorite part of the paint job and most masking tapes will still allow paint to bleed through. Leaving you to wonder; is it really worth it? We put 7 painters tapes to the test to find out! https://www.repcolite.com/episode-217-a-fathers-day-story-ladder-history-the-best-tape-saving-your-carpet (Check Out Our Test Board for Some Razor Sharp Results!)
Segment 4: Paint Baseboards not the Carpet If the last segment didn’t get you hooked on tape this one is sure to. Painting baseboards can get really messy when you have carpet on the floor. Tools sold as carpet shields rarely live up to the name but we have found the magic trick that offers flawless results.
SEGMENT 1: COLOR CAPTURE Last week we talked about finding color inspiration in unexpected places. Now we highlight a tool that can turn your inspirational photos into a color palette of Benjamin Moore colors. You won't believe how fun and easy it is to match the colors you are inspired by. What is this magic tool? Tune to find out! SEGMENT 2: EGO BATTERY POWERED YARD EQUIPMENT Dan recently purchased new lawn equipment when he saw a deal for EGO battery powered, string trimmer, blower and Hedge trimmer. In the past he preferred gas or electric so he was interested in putting these battery powered tools to the test! The reviews are in... SEGMENT 3: MOSQUITO WARS We see a lot of articles claiming that planting things such as lavender, citronela, lemongrass and Rosemary will keep mosquitos at bay...However, there is more to the story. We have put together a system that combines natural ways of taking your yard back from Mosquitos. https://gudgear.com/homemade-insect-repellent/ (Homemade Insect Repellant Recipe)
SEGMENT 4: FIXING THOSE FENCES Our show experienced technical difficulties last week when the radio station that airs each of these episodes failed to start our show on time! So this segment (which included a giveaway) never aired for all of those listeners. So, this week we included it again so the on-air audience could be a part of the contest. We apologize to all the podcast subscribers who caught this one twice!
Segment 1 -- Welsummer Hailey launches the new Instagram Color Palette for June and discusses the inspiration behind it: a previous customer who chose her entire color scheme for her home based on the varied colors of eggs in her chicken coop! In the segment, we discuss the importance of looking everywhere for inspiration when it comes to paint colors. Segments 2 & 3 -- Egress Windows with Ayers Basement Systems We are joined by Zach Kreiger from Ayers Basement to discuss the value of Egress Windows. Zach runs through everything we should be considering if we are debating installing an egress window. Segment 4 -- The Ugly Side of Fences In this segment we address old, grayed, and weathered fences. They can detract from the look of your property and there really are some great stain and sealer options out there that will help you improve their appearance. Also, even if the wood is cedar or pressure treated pine, a sealer or stain will protect it and help it last much longer!
SEGMENT 1: Memorial Day Dan flies solo and shares stories of families with fallen heroes. As we enjoy the festivities this weekend, let’s take pause to remember what Memorial Day represents. https://www.vvmf.org/stories-of-those-we-lost/They-Were-Our-Family/ (A Simple Day by Yolanda Acevedo) https://www.vvmf.org/stories-of-those-we-lost/ (Stories of Those We Lost)
SEGMENTS 2 & 3: Maintenance Free? The maintenance-free promises of vinyl siding often come up short. Even vinyl needs regular maintenance such as cleaning and inspection. We talk about how to catch the problems your siding might be hiding and answer the age old question...can you paint it? SEGMENT 4: Here Comes the Judge Tick magnet, Dan, is ditching the trails for neighborhood sidewalks... and what kind of Home Improvement Show would this be if he didn’t spend those walks noticing...and perhaps, judging the homes he passes? Luckily we have the solution to a common problem he is seeing.
Segment 1: Tick Explosion Tick populations are exploding in Michigan! Warmer winters and bird migration have contributed to a rise in the tick population in west Michigan. We talk about a few simple ways to help protect your whole family this summer. https://www.michigan.gov/documents/emergingdiseases/resize_307382_7.pdf (More info on avoiding ticks!)
Segment 2-3 : Where Do You Stop? Is painted trim right for you? We weigh the pros and cons of painting your trim and explain how to tackle this project yourself. We also discuss the growing trend of painting the trim colors other than white! The sky's the limit for color but if you aren't painting all the trim where do you start and stop? Tune in for an easy rule of thumb. https://thelandofcolor.com/what-color-to-paint-the-threshold-the-transition-between-rooms-when-the-rooms-are-different-colors/ (Where to stop when changing colors)
Segment 4: Junk Royalty Dan is clearing out the barn! We know he’s not the only one with junk to get rid of so we thought we’d discuss all the options. Whether you need to hire a service to haul it away for you or just need to know where to take it, we’ve got you covered! https://www.junk-king.com/locations/grand-rapids?utm_source=gmb&utm_medium=local&utm_campaign=yext (Junk Kings) https://hollandhauling.com/ (Mike's Junk Hauling) https://www.collegehunkshaulingjunk.com/lakeshore/?lakeshorej&gclid=CjwKCAjwtJ2FBhAuEiwAIKu19mrGsO64iaDJSC6vSA1uMjm7g0W972dVoiABCKopnq2sF2FwqtihAxoCdGwQAvD_BwE&utm_campaign=mi-lakeshore-497&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_content=chair10-junk (College Hunks) https://padnos.com/contact/locations/ (Padnos Metal Recycling) https://satruck.org/Donate/choose (Salvation Army)
On this episode: Composting is a great way to cut down on the amount of trash filling your garbage can . . . . We talk about the how-to's and even jump into a little science to make sure you're off on the right foot. Supply chain shortages are impacting many industries right now. We discuss the problem and the outlook with Brad Krause, president of Service Professor. There are small projects that can improve the curb appeal of your home. We dig into a few of them and discuss a number of considerations when choosing color!
On this episode: We speak with Michaela from Michaela Noelle Designs about her latest project. White's white, right? Nope! We discuss undertones in paint colors and how to train your eye to see them! RepcoLite's president, Dan Altena discusses a couple cutting edge products that recently hit the shelves. Dan and Hailey give 12-Stars and 4 Thumbs-up to another Gem of West Michigan. Maybe it's time for a road trip!
On this episode: Tulips are a big deal here in Holland, Michigan, but do you know where they came from originally? Or that they were eaten during WWII? Or that they helped a Dr. solve a medical mystery? We interview Kelly Karp from Landscape Design Services about making our outdoor living spaces amazing! Responsibly dealing with unwanted latex and oil-based paint.
On this episode: When it comes to DIY skills . . . we all have to start somewhere! Installing wainscoting is a popular weekend project. Is it right for you? Sick of mosquitos? Mosquito Shield might be the answer you've been looking for....
On this episode: Digging in the dirt actually does reduce stress! We interview Jason Slenk from Overisel Lumber regarding some of the different types of wood available when building a deck. A deep dive into CLR: Brilliant Bath -- one of our favorite bathroom cleaners! Ghosting . . . thermal tracking . . . it goes by a number of different names. We'll tell you what it is and how to fix it if you have it!
On this episode: Creating a Personal Library Using Area Rugs to Define a Space with Johnson Carpet One Another Gem in West Michigan: Heritage Architectural Salvage and Supply!
On this episode: Introducing RepcoLite's April Color Palette: Recharge Keeping our Basements Dry with Ayers Basement Systems Which Deck Product is Right for You?
On this episode: Avoiding pitfalls when choosing colors for your next paint project The great power washer debate: Gas or Electric? Seller's Paradise: what do you need to do to your home if you're getting ready to put it on the market?
On this episode: Multimeters are a Must Have! Painted Floor Encore Matching Stain and Expectations Thank You Tuberculosis?
On this episode: Want your next paint project to go smoothly? Don't forget to take these steps! What's the current state of the Real Estate market in West Michigan? Floor painting fever! Are you coming down with it? Should you be?
On this Episode: A Weekend of Wallpaper Meeting Mac Flook Dutch Doors: Practical and Pretty
Also on this Episode: Getting our sump pumps ready for Spring Why it's worth hiring a professional sometimes Finding a painting contractor Wallpaper: SO much cooler than you may think!
Also on this episode: Pet Safe Ice Melt Scuff-X: Miracle Paint Maintaining the Correct Tire Pressure
On this episode, we talk about a couple of local gems: The Muskegon Winter Sports Complex and Wally's Treasures Antique Mall! We also discuss VOCs in paint.
Also on this episode: Paint Spraying Safety The History of Closets Project Time Budgeting Tips
Also on this episode: Welding (yes, you can do it!) The Firedisc Cooker (and why you want one)
Also on this episode: Simple Battery Test Reducing Window Condensation Woodworking Mistakes
Also on this episode: Dan's 30-Year Library Table Refinishing Project Finding the Right Gray
Also on this episode: Must-Have Paint Tools The BEST Paints You May Not Have Heard About
Also in this episode: How the Charlie Brown Christmas Special Ended the Aluminum Tree Industry Home Theater on a Budget!
Also on this episode: Jeff Rietveld from Out of the Box Games, Toys, and Puzzles serves up the best games to gift this Christmas!
Also on this episode: Defending Your Tulip Bulbs from Squirrels The Great Christmas Contest Giveaway of 2020
Also: Making a wax-free friction polish, the perfect bathroom ceiling paint, and some ways to stay connected this Christmas!
On this episode, we talk about a simple way to hang Christmas lights that makes taking them down CRAZY EASY! We also answer a question from our website about how bad things can get when you skip prep work on a project.
On this week, it's a bit of a "Best of" broadcast. We look back on some of Betsy's favorite segments and we wish her well as she takes on a new career!
On this week's episode, we discuss Benjamin Moore's Color of the Year for 2021. We also talk about getting your lawn mower ready for storage and a few of the things we've learned over the last 3 years on the show!
In today's episode, we've got some big (and sad) news! But we also take a look into what makes the perfect mudroom and how to repaint that 80's brick fireplace!
This is our 4th of July Extravaganza Show! Every segment is decked out in red, white, and blue! We start with a discussion about the origins of Yankee Doodle Dandy, and we transition into some home improvement quotes from Benjamin Franklin. Finally, we wrap it all up with a discussion of what Thomas Jefferson can teach us about how to use bold colors!
Also on this episode: Discussion with Jason Slenk from Overisel Lumber regarding all the different options when it comes to deck railings.
Also on this episode: Finding the right deck coating Surprising warm colors to rejuvenate your decorating
Also on this episode: Menswear-Inspired Interiors, the Irwin Self-Adjusting Wire Stripper, and RepcoLite: Back to Business