<http://schema.org/articleBody>
"  The pros know it&amp;#039;s often the simplest household item that can make an existing tool work better--or substitute in a pinch for a more expensive piece of equipment you might only use once in a lifetime. You will also learn that one tool can often fulfill a completely different purpose than that for which it was originally intended. Keep an open mind to the possibilities, but remember: safety first. Don&amp;#039;t use any tool in a reckless manner just for the sake of improvisation. Proper maintenance is probably the best tool tip of all--keep your gear safely stored and well taken care of so that every tool is working properly when you need it.  1:16 || A TWO-WEEKEND PAINT JOB:  You want to put away your paint-laden rollers and brushes without cleaning them. THE QUICK FIX Wrap the painting utensils tightly in a plastic bag and stick them in the freezer. Once thawed, they&amp;#039;ll be ready for use. Caveat: Paint is for painting, not eating. Be sure to seal the bag tightly to eliminate any chance of food contamination.   1:17 || PAINT POLLUTION:     Even new paint can contain dirt, contaminants, or clumps that can ruin an otherwise stellar paint job. THE QUICK FIX Make sure your paint goes on smoothly by first straining it through a square of window screen into a separate painting pail or bucket. Use rigid window screen, larger than the mouth of the bucket and dented in the middle, to sieve the paint as it drains through.   1:18 || BAG IT:     You&amp;#039;re ready to put on the colored top coat and you discover that you don&amp;#039;t have a tray liner. THE QUICK FIX In a pinch, turn to grocery bags. Slip the bag down from the top and smooth it over the well of the tray, then pour the paint in. When you&amp;#039;re done, let it dry a bit, pull the bag off, and discard.   DISASTER PREVENTION:     Catching paint drips. THE QUICK FIX When &amp;quot;cutting in&amp;quot; while painting a ceiling, the paint eventually saturates the brush and inevitably drips down your arm--and to the floor if you&amp;#039;re not careful. Stop the flow in its tracks by folding a small, absorbent cloth and taping it around the metal collar--known as the ferrule--of the brush. The paint will be absorbed by the cloth, which can be washed out when you&amp;#039;re done.    KNOW YOUR STUFF:  Paint Primers &amp;quot;Primers are the foundation to achieving a long-lasting quality paint job,&amp;quot; says Steve  Revnew, Director of Architectural Marketing, Residential Segments for Sherwin Williams. Here&amp;#039;s a quick overview of what&amp;#039;s what. &amp;amp;gt; SURFACE WHAT TO USE FOR BEST RESULTS EXTERIOR Unpainted exterior wood, no knots Exterior acrylic (water-based) primer Fill nail holes and sand before priming. Unpainted exterior wood with defects (fungus stains, grade marks, knots) Exterior alkyd (oil-based) stain-killing primer/sealer Remove surface fungus with bleach /nonammonia detergent before painting. Unpainted exterior cedar, cypress, redwood Exterior primer (alkyd or acrylic) rated to resist bleedthrough of wood extractives Opt for alkyd where wood shows visible bleedthrough before painting. Painted siding in good condition Exterior acrylic primer Siding must be clean and dry before priming. Painted siding in poor condition with chalk Exterior penetrating alkyd primer Power- or hand-wash to remove as much chalk as you can before priming. Clean, unpainted exterior steel Cold-galvanizing compound Do not topcoat with alkyd paint. Rusty, dirty exterior steel Exterior alkyd primer Clean and remove loose rust before priming. Exterior, interior concrete and masonry Exterior acrylic primer with pigment or acrylic masonry treatment Sweep to remove loose debris and dust; acid-etch surface if it\u00EDs greasy or stained. INTERIOR Interior water stains on ceilings, walls Shellac-based or alkyd sealer Aerosol spray is especially handy for quick repairs. Interior surfaces with odor problems Interior alkyd primer Clean surfaces and let dry before proceeding. Unpainted drywall Interior acrylic primer Remove drywall sanding dust before priming. Unpainted interior wood trim Interior acrylic or alkyd primer Check compatibility of product when used under enamel. "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.popularmechanics.com/home/interior-projects/how-to/a3696/4290843/>