We tag along with paint expert Mauro Henrique as he helps a homeowner tackle a paint project. While renovating his kitchen, he connected his kitchen to the dining room and now needs help restoring the existing wainscoting. After careful prep, Mauro shows the homeowner how to apply coats of primer and paint with an airless paint sprayer for perfect results.
Next, we head back to the shop with host Kevin O’Connor as he meets with building engineer Ross Trethewey and master electrician Heath Eastman. The three discuss the movement of whole-home electrification, relying on electricity to handle tasks like heating and cooling rather than using fossil fuels. Ross and Heath explain that while electrification is mostly eco-friendly, homeowners have to consider the costs, as it’s not always the least expensive route to go.
Finally, we meet master carpenter Nathan Gilbert as he helps a homeowner and her two children build a new sandbox. With the help of the boys, Nathan builds a sandbox from landscape timbers, locking them together with timber screws. He keeps the sand separate from the soil underneath with landscape fabric before installing a small seat, the play sand, and a toy excavator perfect for the sandbox.
How to Paint Wainscoting with a Sprayer
Part of a homeowner’s kitchen renovation was removing the wall between the kitchen and the dining. While this created one bright, open space, it also meant removing wallpaper and stripping the paint from the existing wainscoting in the dining room. At a standstill, he called the team at Ask This Old House for help, and paint expert Mauro Henrique knew just how to help.
Where to find it?
Mauro started by removing dust and debris from the wainscoting with a vacuum and a tack cloth. He then lined the top and bottom of the wainscoting with painter’s tape. To protect the floor around the wainscoting he used floor protection paper and to protect the wall above it he used pre-taped painter’s plastic.
With the area cleaned and protected, Mauro used a Titan 440 Airless Sprayer with a 315 nozzle to apply a coat of primer to the wainscoting. To spray, Mauro put on glasses, a mask with a respirator, and coveralls.
After letting the primer dry for 1-2 hours, Mauro used wood filler and caulk to fill holes and cracks in the wainscoting and then sanded it smooth with sanding blocks. Mauro then used the sprayer to apply two even coats of white paint, waiting 1-2 hours for each coat to dry.
How to Choose Home Fuel Sources
Host Kevin O’Connor meets with building engineer Ross Trethewey and master electrician Heath Eastman to discuss whole-home electrification, and whether it’s always the best move for homeowners.
Where to find it?
Ross’s Energy Cost Comparison Sheet
U.S. Energy Information Administration’s average utility prices around the country:
How to Build a Sandbox
When a homeowner realized her children love to dig, she knew the perfect outside toy would be a sandbox. But, without knowing how to build one that would stand up to the rigors of childhood, she called the team at Ask This Old House for help. As a man who loves to dig himself, master carpenter Nathan Gilbert was happy to answer the call.
Where to find it?
Start by cutting pressure treated 4x6x8 ft stock lumber to length using circular saw. Be sure to use proper ear and eye protection while operating power tools.
Create your layout with the cut pieces and check that the ground is level. Soften the grade if necessary using a bowhead rake.
Use an impact driver to secure the base with timber screws. Use a tape measure to check that the base is square.
Lay down two layers of weed fabric to keep the play sand from mixing with the dirt. Attach the landscape fabric with a hammer tacker. Use a utility knife to remove the excess landscape fabric.
Add the second course of lumber and secure with 6in. timber screws. To secure the first and second courses together use 8 in. timber screws vertically. Follow the same steps to secure the third and final course. Use a 1/2 in. roundover bit to ease the edges.
Fill the sandbox with play sand.
Original Air Date: Feb 6, 2024, Season 23; Ep. 14 23:42
Products and services from this episode
- Airless paint sprayer manufacturer: Titan Tool
- Energy cost comparison sheet: TE2 Engineering, LLC
- Excavator crane toy supplier: Breyer