DIY Network

Ed Del Grande Interview: Floor Paint, Painting Tips and more From "Ask DIY Home Improvement" episode DADH-206

From styrofoam to concrete to glass. You've sent in email questions about all kinds of problems and we've been doing research all week long. Home-improvement expert Ed DelGrande is ready to give you the answers to do-it-yourself questions about drilling glass, removing wallpaper glue, painting concrete floors and more.

advertisement

Figure A

Q (Carol in St. Joseph, MO): The painters didn't remove the wallpaper glue and our painted walls look rough. How do I correct this?

Ed: Boy do you have a mess on your hands. You'll be able to smooth out the walls by simply sanding. Goggles and mask are required for this project. You should also spread out some drop cloths. Use an open-mesh sanding screen (figure A), 150 grit. This is designed for finishing drywall compound. In a circular motion, lightly go over a small section of the wall, then inspect your work. You may have to apply more pressure until you get it smooth. Make sure you remove all the dust from the wall before you prime or paint.

	Figure B
	Figure C

Q (Marge from Butte, MT): What type of paint do I use on my concrete basement floor? How should I prepare the floor?"

Ed:You should only use concrete paint or, better still, garage-floor paint (figure B). Before you paint, it must be free of dirt, grease or oils. Use four tablespoons of tri-sodium phosphate (figure C) to three quarts of warm water and scrub well. Rinse well with clean water and dry thoroughly. Use an acrylic concrete sealer to treat the concrete. Then use the best acrylic paint formulated for concrete you can afford.

Q (Robert in Hilton Head, SC): Is there a practical way to add some sort of insulation to steel garage panels?

Ed: It appears [from the viewer's photo] that he has tried to add some ceiling panels. It's going to be tough to get the garage to be as comfortable as the house year round. The garage doors just aren't made to be as air tight as the rest of the house. First check with the garage door manufacturer and see if they make insulated panels designed for your door. If not, here is a great way to make it just a little cozier. Cut panels of fire retardant Styrofoam to size and fit them under the metal flanges on the doors. One thick panel is better than layering several. Also, make it as tight a fit as possible so the Styrofoam doesn't shift when the door goes up and down.

Q (Brenda in Joliet, IL): How do I drill a hole in my aquarium without breaking the glass?

Ed: Unless you plan on doing a lot of drilling and you have the right tools, I would take the tank to a glass store. The trick to drilling glass is to first use a diamond coated drill bit. The high quality bits, are expensive, although you can get cheaper one that don't last as long.
You should always submerge the glass and drill bit in water for lubrication or cover the area with oil or lubricant. The trick is to drill straight down with easy pressure. You can't do this with a hand drill, it's best to have a drill press. Remember if you get this wrong you're going to have to buy a new tank, so take it to a pro.

Q (Fred in Las Vegas, Nevada): We've put down the sub-floor for carpet, but there are still some gaps. Should we fill them?

Ed: You always want as tight a seam as possible with a sub-floor. If you can put a pencil in the gap, it's too big. Fill and smooth it with leveling compound.

RESOURCES :

HGTV's Complete Fix-It
Author: HGTV