DIY Network

Quick Fixes for Your Home Use these tips to update your home and keep it looking great. From "Today Show Tips" episode DTST-113

Painting Paneling

If you think the dark paneling in your family room or den would look a lot better painted a light color, here's how to do it. The secret is some sanding and using the right primer.

1. Most paneling has a shine to it, and that means you'll need to sand it so that paint will adhere. Use a sanding block to take off that shiny coat.

2. Use a shellac-based primer. That will seal the dark stain and keep it from bleeding through the new paint. Don't worry about how much primer you need; even a thin coat will do the job.

3. Use a good-quality acrylic paint, which will provide great coverage. Consider an eggshell finish, which will have a little sheen to it. One coat will usually do the trick.

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Cleaning and Staining a Deck

1. Use a pressure washer to clean the deck thoroughly.

2. Choose an oil-based stain with some color. Clear stain won't provide the same protection.

3. If you want a finish that looks more like paint, look for an acrylic/alkyd blend stain.

4. If you clean the deck properly and apply the stain in cool weather, you won't have to worry about it again for several years.

Painting a White Ceiling

Trying to paint a white ceiling is tough because you can't see where you've already painted. Simply Magic, a colorant from Ace Hardware, turns the paint a very pale blue. Within 24 hours, it dries to clear white, but when it's wet, it shows plainly where you've painted and where you haven't.

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