topic Beyond Blue Home Improvement Thread in BB Social Zone

Beyond Blue Home Improvement Thread

geoff — Wed, 27 Sep 2017 20:35:06 GMT

Hi everyone. I'm Geoff and have been a dedicated Volunteer on the forums for 13 years. I am proud to have stopped some of the stigmas that are associated with mental health as well as doing my best to help others too

Before my health went south I was a builder in all aspects of home construction and renovation. If you don't have a handyman around I hope I can offer you some tips that may be of help. I have had many years of experience in home renovation and will do my best to help you out if you are stuck and need some advice

I hope my experience may be of help to the people on Beyond Blue and make their life a little bit better. Even if you need help with the most basic painting job or putting up a shelf I can help there too with some tips

I will do my best to get back to anyone that has a question when I can as this is social yet important thread

Geoff

Beyond Blue Home Improvement Thread

white knight — Thu, 28 Sep 2017 07:38:20 GMT

Hi Geoff. A great idea for a thread.

Id describe myself ad a tinkerer. But I have designed the interior layout of 4 houses, built my own home (two storey quaker house), built a train that carried 20 children (a ride on mower was the base for the loco), 3 rotundas, bridges and around 50 cubby houses.

That doesnt compare to a qualified builder like yourself and a lot of my work is creative.

My latest project as you know is building our own caravan that we towed around Australia. A larger one has been designed.

I learned how to build things by asking heaps of questions so here members can ask you, or if absent I don't mind lending a hand.

Tony WK

Beyond Blue Home Improvement Thread

Guest_5218 — Thu, 28 Sep 2017 08:21:43 GMT

Wonderful idea Geoff, and an incredibly generous offer from both yourself and Tony.

Not much of a handywoman myself but, if I need advice in that area, I now know where to come. (-:

Thankyou.

Sherie

Beyond Blue Home Improvement Thread

Quercus — Thu, 28 Sep 2017 11:21:10 GMT

Hi Geoff,

This is fantastic! I have a confession to make... I am utterly useless at anything related to fixing stuff. I killed our lawnmower by running it without oil every time... Noone mentioned oil!

But worst worry....I have no idea how to change a tyre. I carry water and snacks at all times in the car for the kids in case of a flat tyre and having to wait red faced while hubby comes or the RAC.

Any chance you could give me "changing a tyre 101" in really basic terms? I suppose I could go on YouTube but I trust you more.

❤ Nat

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white knight — Thu, 28 Sep 2017 11:31:45 GMT

Hi Nat,

Sorry Geoff if I'm intruding. Go to a speed shop and buy tyre inflation foam. Two cans. That will get you out of trouble.

Tony WK

Beyond Blue Home Improvement Thread

Quercus — Thu, 28 Sep 2017 12:04:37 GMT

Hi Tony,

Oh my goodness is that actually a thing? See! This is why this thread is vital! You have just gotten rid of something I worry about just with a piece of advice I would never have known otherwise! Thank you.

❤ (and admiration for kick ass skills)

Nat

Beyond Blue Home Improvement Thread

geoff — Thu, 28 Sep 2017 18:46:39 GMT

hi Quercus, good point by Tony, it's your best option, however my motor technology is very limited and that includes lawn mowers, but I hate having to pull the cable on a lawn mower numerous amounts of times and nothing happens.
I won't be able to answer all questions, but will try and it doesn't matter whether someone else comes in with a solution, because all of us may solve it a different way. Geoff.

Beyond Blue Home Improvement Thread

Just Sara — Thu, 28 Sep 2017 19:06:15 GMT

OMG Geoff!

Thankyou! I haven't had my work boots (Redback's) on for ages. I'm doing (and have done) heaps of reno around the house, a lot had to be with tradies. One thing I tried to find on YouTube, was so complex I had to let it go. I don't want to pay someone to do it if I have the ability.

I have a 60+ yr old home with fibro outside. I know this is made with asbestos, and want to paint it. I can clean with detergents, but if I want to rub it back so the paint adheres better, it's a high risk activity and very labour intensive with precautions involved.

My question: Can I paint over a gloss external finish (after washing down) without preparing the surface first by rubbing back?

None of the YouTube video's or Google sites explain this; I've looked and looked.

Would really appreciate your help! 🙂

Sez x

Beyond Blue Home Improvement Thread

geoff — Thu, 28 Sep 2017 20:07:25 GMT

hi Sez, yes you wash it down without rubbing too hard, especially if there are cracks, so when the asbestos is wet it can't be of any danger, although that's still something to be careful of, because if it's wet it falls to the ground and doesn't float in the air, but still wear protective clothing as well as a cheap mask.
After you've finished washing as much as you want, the rags need to be thrown away, but they should be bagged and sealed, maybe a couple of times.
Do you know what type of gloss enamel you want to paint over, well if you don't know, then get a rag and dip it in methylated spirits, once you rub this on the surface and paint easily appears on the rag, then it's acrylic paint, that means brushes can be washed out with water, if nothing happens then it's turps based paint, so I need to know what type of paint it is.
If it is turps based then go to your paint shop and there is a paint where you can paint over this enamel to prepare for your acrylic, that would be safer than trying to rub it down.
Don't use a genie high-powered cleaner, but the answer is yes you can, talk to your paint shop and ask about this prepare paint to use. Geoff.

Beyond Blue Home Improvement Thread

geoff — Thu, 28 Sep 2017 20:11:56 GMT

Can I just say that this thread was suggested to me by a dear friend who is definitely on this site, only because he asked me about what to do repainting, I'm so pleased it was suggested. Geoff.

Beyond Blue Home Improvement Thread

Ladyhawke — Thu, 28 Sep 2017 21:26:59 GMT

Hi Geoff,

Thanks so much for starting this thread - terrific idea. Thanks also to Tony for offering to help. I've recently moved back into the family home (alone) after renting for the last 27 years - lots of bits and pieces to do around the house. I'm absolutely clueless - I can hammer in a nail - that's the extent of my home handywoman skills. Quite sure I'll be back for advice fairly soon.

Beyond Blue Home Improvement Thread

CMF — Thu, 28 Sep 2017 21:27:26 GMT

Great thread Geoff,

i like to potter around and do things myself, so this will come in handy.

cmf

Beyond Blue Home Improvement Thread

geoff — Thu, 28 Sep 2017 22:20:22 GMT

hello LH, the nails these days aren't what they used to be like, they bend easily and there are houses up where I live in an old section of the town, where the wood is so hard you have to drill a hole before you can ever think about using a hammer, a smaller hole in diameter than the nail. Geoff.

Beyond Blue Home Improvement Thread

Just Sara — Fri, 29 Sep 2017 05:59:56 GMT

Oh Geoffrey!

How marvellous! Your response was just what the dr ordered. Will test over the weekend and let you know. I have quite a few cracks and 'wounds' to fill prior to painting. Not looking forward to undercoating if I need to as it means double the work.

I'd like to paint it a navy blue with white trim. It'll freak the neighbours out, but hey, it's what I like. They'll just have to get used to it.

Thanks again; (and thanks to your friend for the suggestion)

Miles of smiles...

Sez x

Beyond Blue Home Improvement Thread

Guest_1584 — Fri, 29 Sep 2017 11:54:09 GMT

Gday Geoff , fantastic idea mate and thanks to you and tony,

l'm fairly handy, renoed a few houses and l'm doing my new old place right now and there's always something l need to know so l'm gonna be lovin this thread and picking your brain haha , matter of fact , got a bit of an issue right now when you get a minute.

The house had a very shitty small front room because the weather had been getting into it for yrs but it also gets great sun so l've ripped out the walls to build a deck out of it.

Thing is , the floor was buggered too so l had to take that out too in the end and put in all new floor rails and joists , is that the right word, anyway , for a new floor.and also a new post to support the old roof section that was left, only bit of the whole room l saved actually.

Turned out the old room use to be an old deck before and with weather that front part of the house had sunk on the blocks a bit so l had to jack that wall up level again too first and all my levels were starting to get me confused.

So when l put in the new floor rails and then put on the new boards, l messed up. And the new deck boards running up to the front door now sit about 15ml above the front door bottom board , what's that called you know the heavy board they put under the door . floor level.

So now with heavy rain and wind , rain will blow in all the way to the front door and because the new deck boards are 15ml higher, the water runs inside a bit under the door.

Been trying to figure out how l can level the under the door board with the new deck boards and stop the water coming in. Any ideas ?

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Guest_1055 — Fri, 29 Sep 2017 11:58:31 GMT

Hi Geoff , I have a question of that is okay.

We have a dining table constructed from solid teak timber. The problem is it has like marks and stains on it from coffee cups and oily food stuffs. It is not varnished so everything seems to soak into it or something. I actually do not like that glossy varnish look. I prefer the natural timber look and natural colour.

Anyway I was thinking to sand it back some and then possibly rub some bees wax into it. What do you think, would the bees wax protect it? Or is there something else out there more suitable? And if sanding is the way to go, like what sand paper would I use? Like I know there is different types of sand paper.

thankyou Geoff

Beyond Blue Home Improvement Thread

blondguy — Fri, 29 Sep 2017 13:14:51 GMT

Hey Geoff

What a crackerjack thread Geoff as well as your kindness to offer your knowledge to others too!

If I can ask you....I have a double garage with Colorbond trim above the cement sheeting profile. The metal trim is in cream. I am thinking about buying some Dulux Weathershield in charcoal. If I clean the Cream Colorbond trim do you think Dulux Weathershield will stick to the colorbond?

I know this may simple to many people but its not to me. Im a bit stuck...actually very stuck and have no idea what I am doing at all!

Only when you can Geoff...I know you are busy with new posters

My Best

Paul

Beyond Blue Home Improvement Thread

Guest_1055 — Fri, 29 Sep 2017 13:22:58 GMT

I do not want you to feel stressed or anything Geoff, so I am happy to wait patiently in the line. All cool with me...

Shell

Beyond Blue Home Improvement Thread

geoff — Fri, 29 Sep 2017 16:42:11 GMT

hi Paul, I'll do the easy first, absolutely just give it a good clean, if you don't clean it, it will flake off eventually. Geoff.

Beyond Blue Home Improvement Thread

Ladyhawke — Fri, 29 Sep 2017 16:55:21 GMT

Thanks Geoff. I suppose it's hard to believe I've never used a drill - honestly! I've banged a few nails in over the last couple of weeks and have noticed they're a bit bendy Have my work cut out for me, don't I? LH