DIY Network

Paint and Grout for Walls Amy Matthews shows some tricks of the trade. From "Bathroom Renovations" episode DBTR-512

Andy and Maria's new basement bathroom is really coming together. Amy Matthews helps the process along by showing Maria a new tool for painting walls and by helping her grout the elaborate wall tile installation.

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Materials:

Painting Walls: paint painter's tape drop cloths paint brushes paintstick

Grouting Walls: tile sealer disposable sponge brushes grout latex gloves large sponges grout sealer

Figure A

Painting Walls with a Paintstick

• Mask off the edges of the area to be painted with low-tack painter's tape. Spread drop cloths to protect floors and lower walls as needed.

• Use a paintbrush to paint up to the tape at the edges of the paint job.

• Attach the special paint can lid that came with the paintstick to the paint can. Draw paint into the reservoir inside the paintstick handle (figure A).

• Roll paint on walls using the paintstick, refilling the reservoir as needed.

	Figure B
	Figure C

Grouting Tile Walls

• Natural stone – like the slate subway tile used on this wall – must be sealed before grouting. Seal the wall if needed, following the manufacturer's instructions (figure B).

• The slate and pebble tiles on the wall vary in thickness, making it difficult to grout using a traditional grout float. Instead, apply the grout by hand, working it into the spaces between the tiles. Make sure to work grout into all of the open spaces. Wear gloves for the grout application.

  Safety Alert: If mixing powdered grout, make sure to wear safety glasses and a dust mask. Use caution when working with a paddle-bit drill or any similar tool.
  
  

• Let the grout dry a few minutes until it forms a haze,
  then wipe the haze from the tiles with a damp sponge (figure C).

• If sealing the grout, let it cure completely according to the package instructions before applying a grout sealer.

RESOURCES :
Paintstick
Homeright
Website: www.homeright.com