Tag: DIY’ers
Patio Transformation to Kick Off the Summer
June 30, 2022A tired deck is hardly an inviting place to kick off the warm-weather season with friends and family. So don’t let another summer go by without transforming your outdoor living space into something fresh and vibrant. Cracks and splinters, stains, and mildew are sure signs your deck is ready for a new finish.
Follow along for step-by-step instructions to transform your deck into a beautiful space for you to enjoy all summer long.
Cleaning & Preparation: Before applying a new finish on your deck, be sure clean it to remove any trace of the old finish, stains, and mildew. After all, you don’t want tough stains like that old BBQ sauce Uncle Jim spilled last Labor Day to be there forever.
• Step 1: Use a wood stain and finish stripper to remove remnants of an old coating and follow it with a wood cleaner and brightener to neutralize the wood.
• Step 2: Rinse the surface thoroughly with a garden hose or a pressure washer. Pro tip, use the broadest spray pattern while keeping the nozzle at least 24-inches away from the surface.
• Step 3: Allow the area to dry for 24 hours, and sand the surface to remove any remaining stray fibers.
Application: Use KILZ® Over Armor® Textured or KILZ Over Armor Smooth Coating to take your deck to the next level. The solid color coating was designed to cover cracks, hide other imperfections, and provide a textured, non-slip or smooth surface. It’s the perfect choice for breathing new life into old, weathered wood and transforming your deck into a stunning outdoor space that brings the family together making it the envy of the neighborhood.
• Step 4: Stir KILZ Over Armor Coating and intermix cans of the same color to ensure color uniformity
• Step 5: Using the newly mixed coating, fill in any cracks or holes. Next, apply the first coat using a ½” nap roller
• Step 6: Let dry 4-6 hours, then apply second coat. Allow 24 hours before subjecting to light traffic and allow 72 hours before subjecting to full cure
Available in several nature-inspired colors, this deck features Slate Gray. This deep hue blends well with the home’s light gray vinyl siding, black shutters, and white vinyl deck railing. In addition, the neutral gray tone of this area is the perfect canvas for new colorful accessories.
New furnishings can always add a pop of color and give you a chance to add your own personal style. Navy seat cushions, summery striped throw pillows, and a potted rose bush add vibrancy. But, of course, you can always change out décor pending your mood or season.
Don’t just paint the deck. Transform the space into a relaxing, fun environment to share with your world.
Features of KILZ® Over Armor Textured Coating
• Use on wood, composite, or concrete
• Suitable for horizontal or vertical surfaces
• Bridges gaps up to ¼”
• Conceals splinters
• Provides a slip-resistant finish
• It fully cures in 72 hours
• Cleans up with water
Always remember to refer to our website kilz.com or product back labels for additional information on which primer is right for your project and detailed instructions on how to apply our products. Check out our Coverage Calculator to understand your estimated paint needs for your upcoming project.
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Primers for Small Projects
August 19, 2020As we move into the start of fall, there is still ample to tackle painting projects you might not have gotten to during the summer months before the winter and holiday season begins. Small projects that, including furniture repainting or refreshing, can be completed in as little as a day or a weekend – but can still make a big difference in the look and feel of your space.
Do you need to prime when painting a small piece of furniture? Our answer is emphatically yes! But do you need entire gallon of primer to get the job done? Most likely the answer there is no. KILZ® Brand offers a family of hardworking primers suitable for all types of painting projects large and small, indoor and outdoor. Trusted by pros for over 40 years, KILZ® Original Interior Primer is available in a convenient aerosol formula, ideal for small painting projects and spot priming interior surfaces.
If you’ve never used an aerosol primer before, we have a few tips to get you started! Similar to priming a wall or set of cabinets, when using an aerosol primer you’ll want to be sure the surface is clean and free of dust. For glossy surfaces, we recommend scuff sanding the surface before priming to ensure maximum adhesion. When using an aerosol primer, wearing eye protection is advised, as well as covering adjacent areas to protect from any primer overspray. For best results, you’ll want to use the aerosol primer at room temperature.
Once your area and surface are prepped, shake the primer can vigorously for one minute after the mixing ball begins to rattle, and shake often during use. Hold the can upright, moving from side-to-side while spraying lightly and evenly about 12″ from area being painted. We recommend 2-3 thin coats to produce the best results. Dry time for most of our aerosol primers is about one hour, and then you’re ready to paint!
If you don’t want the odor of an aerosol primer, we suggest KILZ Original Low-Odor Interior Aerosol Primer. Formulated with the same stainblocking performance as KILZ Original, it features fast odor dissipation technology which means no lingering odor†. Ideal for use in dining areas, small apartments and other areas which are sensitive to high odor levels.
For furniture pieces that might be exposed to the elements on your porch or patio, KILZ Original Interior | Exterior Aerosol Primer is a great choice. We used this primer as the first step in repainting a thrift-store furniture find, meant to be used as an outdoor dining chair. Another reason to use aerosol primers is when covering intricate and detailed surfaces, like the back of this chair. Not only did the aerosol primer work to seal the surface, but it made priming the scalloped details a breeze!
Looking for more small project priming and painting tips? Check out our recent post on using KILZ Chalk Style paint to upcycle furniture.
Always remember to refer to our website kilz.com or product back labels for additional information on which primer is right for your project and detailed instructions on how to apply our products.
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Three Primers for Exterior Projects
August 11, 2020Priming before painting is an important step for nearly every painting project, and we’ve covered quite a few different project types here on The Perfect Finish – including priming when changing wall colors, priming before painting kitchen cabinets, and even priming in moisture prone rooms in your home. Now in the heat of summer, it’s time to talk about an area of the home we haven’t often covered – the outside!
Just as important as proper prep for your indoor painting projects, priming is a critical prep step for outdoor projects. From painting your front door, to the entire exterior of your house, or even a garden fence, KILZ has a primer made for the job. KILZ® Original Primer has been trusted by pros for over 40 years and the KILZ Original lineup includes a primer formulated for outdoor projects. KILZ® Original Interior | Exterior Primer is an all-weather sealer with excellent adhesion to even the toughest to paint surfaces like masonry or bare, porous wood. When using this primer on outdoor brick, stucco or plaster, it’s important to note that the masonry surfaces should be clean, dry and cured for at least 90 days.
KILZ 2® All-Purpose Primer is another product formulated for both interior and exterior use. This water-based sealer and stain blocker would be an excellent choice for painting your front door or garden fence. Just remember this tip from the pros, if the surface you are painting is unpainted, exterior wood that has been exposed to sun and/or moisture longer then 2-4 weeks prior to painting – be sure to clean and sand it before priming. On new masonry surfaces, KILZ 2 All-Purpose can be used once the surfaces has cured for at least 30 days.
Our third pick for exterior projects is KILZ 3® Premium Primer. This fast drying, water-based primer provides excellent adhesion and a mildew resistant coating, making it ideal for exterior surfaces prone to moisture. It can be used for both interior and exterior projects and has a thicker, high-hiding formula great for blocking stains. If you live in a humid environment, KILZ 3 Premium Primer is a great choice for your outdoor painting projects.
What exterior projects will you tackle this summer?
Always remember to refer to our website kilz.com or product back labels for additional information on which primer is right for your project and detailed instructions on how to apply our products.
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Chalk Style Paint Accent Furniture
June 1, 2020
Upcycling accent furniture pieces with paint is a fun and easy DIY project that can be completed in as a little as a day. From bookshelves to small tables and chairs, a coat of paint can instantly give new life to thrift store furniture find. And if that one piece of furniture doesn’t fit your new color scheme, paint it!
One of our favorite paints for small furniture projects is KILZ® Chalk Style Paint. It adds history and character to any piece, goes on thick for excellent hide and requires very little surface preparation. Depending on the furniture piece, you might want to lightly sand it prior to painting; and always ensure your surface is clean and free of dust before you paint.
If picking up a paint brush isn’t your style, KILZ Chalk Spray Paint is another great choice for painting accent furniture. Ideal for small indoor and outdoor project, KILZ Chalk Spray Paint delivers a premium matte finish with enhanced adhesion. Available in six beautiful colors, including two of our favorite blue hues – Authentic Navy and Blue Juniper.
To enhance durability of your chalk style paint project, we recommend sealing the surface afterward with KILZ Clear Sealing Wax. Or for a more antique look, seal with KILZ Dark Sealing Wax.
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Top Primers for Kitchen Projects
May 1, 2020The key ingredient to a successful kitchen painting project is the right primer. KILZ® makes a family of hardworking primers for use on a variety of surfaces and substrates, and for best results it’s essential to choose a primer that’s specifically formulated for your type of project. Today we’re talking all about kitchens and the top primers for kitchen cabinets and walls.
One fundamental benefit of most primers is that they make your paint job more durable. Kitchens are typically high-traffic areas and are often exposed to fluctuating temperatures, which can have an impact on the life of your paint job. Using KILZ® 3 Premium Primer before you paint, a product known for its exceptional adhesion and durability, can help ensure your paint job lasts.
When painting your kitchen cabinets and walls, it’s important to keep in mind that kitchens can often be exposed to high humidity and moisture. These factors can negatively impact your painted surfaces if they’re not properly primed first. Using KILZ® Kitchen & Bath Primer on both cabinets and walls creates a mildew resistant primer film, and also offers excellent adhesion to most interior surfaces.
Now that you’ve found the right primer for your kitchen renovation, it’s time to start cooking up color ideas! For a look at our favorite calming and energizing paint colors, check out this recent post.
Always remember to refer to our website kilz.com or product back labels for additional information on which primer is right for your project and detailed instructions on how to apply our products.
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How Primer Affects Paint Color
April 15, 2020Springtime and DIY projects go hand in hand, and this spring season it feels like that sentiment rings truer than ever before. With all of us staying home to practice safe social distancing we have a lot more time on our hands, making it the perfect time to tackling a DIY painting project. But before you paint, don’t forget to prime!
While the paint’s job is all about color, the primer’s job is to prepare the surface for painting and make that color the best it can be. Even with a simple color change where you’re covering an existing lighter color with another color, it wouldn’t be advisable to paint without priming. If you paint without priming first, the end result could be a color that is a slightly different shade that the color you selected. For a simple color change from walls to furniture re-painting projects, KILZ 2® All-Purpose Primer is right for the job.
There are also certain surface types that are extremely porous, including brick and wood. If you paint on these surfaces without priming, there is a good chance the paint will seep into the surface – and that means your color won’t be as vibrant or true as you were expecting. When you’re looking to seal porous surfaces, KILZ® 1 Standard Primer and KILZ 2 All-Purpose are both great primer choices.
And it goes without saying that when painting over a darker color with a new, fresh-as-spring lighter shade, you definitely want to prime first. Otherwise shades like deep red will show through and change the tone of the new paint color you selected. If you’re going from a darker to a lighter color in your DIY painting project, KILZ® 3 Premium Primer has a thick, high-hide formula that is up to the task.
Prime first for dark to light color changes!
In all of these cases, priming before painting lessens the number of topcoats required – saving you time and ensuring your finished DIY project is the color you desired!
Always remember to refer to our website kilz.com or product back labels for additional information on which primer is right for your project and detailed instructions on how to apply our products.
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Odor Blocking Primers for Fresh as Spring Painting Projects
March 16, 2020Spring brings new beginnings and is often the perfect time to tackle a painting project you’ve been putting off. If you have a room renovation project that includes the added challenge of ridding the space of stale smells or bad odors, KILZ® Primers can help. From pet odor to the lingering smell of smoke (even long after the smoker is gone!), unpleasant odors can get stuck in your home and seem near impossible to remove.
Odor may penetrate fresh paint, so simply repainting the walls will likely leave you with a still smelly space. For a room that looks and smells as fresh spring, we recommend priming before painting. Priming provides a barrier that prevents odor from penetrating fresh paint and KILZ offers several primers with the ability to block medium to severe odors. So which primer is right for your project?
If you’re looking for a heavy-duty odor blocking primer, KILZ® Original primer is a great choice. Trusted by pros for over 40 years, it has excellent sealing properties and can block heavy odors and stains.
Working on a project outdoors? KILZ® Original Interior | Exterior primer offers the heavy-duty power of KILZ Original in an all-weather formula with excellent adhesion to both interior and exterior surfaces.
For spaces or areas that might be sensitive to solvent odors, KILZ® Original Low Odor is an interior oil-based stain and odor blocking primer that puts off less odor than typical oil-based primers.
Looking for a water-based primer? KILZ Restoration® is a new generation water-based primer, sealer and stain blocker that offers the performance of traditional oil and shellac-based primers. It tackles tough stains and seals persistent pet, food and smoke odors. It can also be used to block odors from subfloor when replacing carpet or wood flooring.
If your next painting project includes tackling lingering odors, you can breathe easy knowing that KILZ primers can help you get the job done.
Always remember to refer to our website kilz.com or product back labels for additional information on which primer is right for your project and detailed instructions on how to apply our products.
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How to Choose the Right Primer for Your Paint Project
January 31, 2020Do your New Year’s resolutions include taking on that painting project you’ve been putting off? Or maybe you have a list of several different DIY home improvement projects on your list to complete in 2020. No matter the size or scope of your project, taking the time to do proper prep work will ensure results that you can be proud of for years to come. Prep can seem like a time-consuming extra step, but trust the pros, it’s worth the time spent.
If your next DIY venture includes painting, the first step is choosing the right primer for your project. The KILZ® brand offers a family of primers to help you complete a wide range of painting projects and tackle a wide variety of common painting problems. With so many primers to choose from, how do you know which is right for your project? To start, assess the type of surface you will be painting.
If you just moved into a new house or completed an addition and you’re painting new drywall, KILZ® PVA Drywall Primer or KILZ® 1 Standard Interior Primer are both made for the job.
Perhaps you’re painting a surface that ordinary paint might not stick to, such as a slick glossy surface, aluminum, vinyl, ceramic tile or glass. In that case, KILZ® Adhesion Interior/Exterior Primer is an excellent choice.
Pro painters and DIYers alike are often in need of a primer that offers multiple surface solutions – which is why KILZ 2® All-Purpose Primer is the choice of many! A fast drying, water-based multi-surface primer-sealer-stain blocker, it offers excellent adhesion, a mildew resistance primer film and can block light to medium stains like felt marker or minor water stains. It’s also a good choice for a simple color change, to ensure the truest color from your new topcoat.
And for projects that require even heavier lifting, KILZ Restoration™ offers the performance of a traditional oil-based primer in a water-based formula and can tackled the toughest odors, stains and even fire damage.
For those taking on more complex projects, including blocking smoke or pet odors, covering dark paint colors or heavy stains, there is a KILZ® Primer for you too! KILZ 3™ Premium is one of our more heavy-duty and high hiding formulas, making it ideally suited for blocking old dark colors or covering substantial stains.
If you’re still unsure what primer to use for your next project, answer these simple questions below and don’t be afraid to ask a friendly pro at your local hardware or home improvement store for help.
Choosing the Right Primer:
- Identify the surface type you will be painting.
- Assess any problems you need to tackle, such as stain or odor blocking, and determine the severity of the issue.
- Take into account any unique scenarios like needing a mildew resistance finish coat (good to keep in mind when painting moisture prone areas like bathrooms and laundry rooms), or if you’re covering a dark paint color with a new lighter hue.
Always remember to refer to our website kilz.com or product back labels for additional information on which primer is right for your project and detailed instructions on how to apply our products.
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Craving a Kitchen Makeover? Start with the Cabinets!
January 9, 2020Does the new year starting have you dreaming of a new kitchen? A complete kitchen overhaul can seem like a daunting task, especially if heavy demolition work is involved. But in many cases, you don’t need to break out the sledge hammer and start from scratch to achieve a fresh new look in your kitchen. Simply repainting your cabinets can have a big impact on the overall look and feel of your kitchen.
For a kitchen cabinet makeover that is both beautiful and durable, start with KILZ 3™ Premium Primer. This superior sealer-stain blocker provides excellent adhesion and a kitchen-essential mildew resistant primer coating. In this kitchen makeover, a celery-green paint color for the cabinets created a space that is cheerful, airy and inviting. The makeover went step further and also added new counter tops, a kitchen island (an addition that luckily didn’t involve tearing down any existing cabinetry!) and new modern gold light fixtures and hardware.
Is a kitchen renovation on your upcoming DIY project menu? The first step to a brand-new kitchen might be as easy as a new hue for your cabinets!
Read on for a step by step recipe for painting your kitchen cabinets:
Step 1: Remove the Hardware
Use a screwdriver to remove all door handles and hardware. It’s always best to put each screw back exactly where it came from to ensure the least amount of stress on the wood. Next, remove the cabinet doors and drawers from the cabinet frame.
Step 2: Prepare the Cabinet Frame and Doors for Priming
Sand the doors, drawer faces and cabinet frame. Do a first pass with 100-150 grit sandpaper then finish with a second pass of 180-220 grit sandpaper, always moving in the direction of the wood grain. After sanding, wipe down the surface with a damp cloth to remove any dust or residue and allow the surface to dry. Next, tape around the cabinet frame to protect the walls and any areas you don’t want to get primer or paint on.
Step 3: Prime the Cabinet Frame and Doors
Apply KILZ 3™ Premium Primer on the doors, drawer faces and cabinet frame using a brush to ensure a mildew resistant finish. Stir thoroughly before and occasionally during use. Allow 1-hour of dry time.
Step 4: Paint the Cabinet Frame and Doors
Apply KILZ® Tribute® paint in Subtle Celery TB-74 with a brush to the cabinet frame and doors, moving in smooth strokes in the same direction as the wood grain. Remove your tape around the cabinet frame before the paint is fully dry. Once dry, reattach hardware to doors and then reattach doors to cabinets. Now it’s time to decide what delicious dish to whip up first in your refreshed kitchen!
Always remember to refer to our website (kilz.com) or product back labels for additional information on how to apply our products.
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