In this episode:
Painter Mauro Henrique shows host Kevin O’Connor how to bring an old paintbrush back to life. Kevin O’Connor explains that a “friend” let their wet paintbrush sit too long, allowing it to harden and become unusable. Mauro explains the importance of cleaning a paintbrush after every use before showing Kevin some methods of removing the dried paint from the bristles with a chemical brush cleaner.
After donning some safety gear, Mauro shows Kevin how to soak the brush in the chemical solution and explains how to tell when it’s ready. The two then remove the paint using a soft-bristled brush and careful strokes before rinsing the brush with clean water. Finally, Mauro straightens out the bristles to get them ready for the next paint project.
Then, General Contractor Tom Silva and Kevin meet back at the shop to demonstrate installing tongue-and-groove hardwood flooring. Tom shows Kevin a prefinished flooring product that he chose and explains how the tongues and grooves line up for a proper installation. Tom explains that it’s important that the first row be as straight as possible and shows Kevin how to make that happen using a chalk line for reference.
Before getting to work, the two discuss a few methods of installing hardwood flooring, including gluing, nailing, and combining glue and nails. As the two begin installing boards, Tom shows Kevin when you have to nail through the face of the board and how to use a finishing nailer to install boards when a flooring nailer doesn’t fit. Tom continues to explain how to mark boards for cutting and how to tap them into place with a rubber mallet. As the job wraps up, the two discuss how to hide the gaps and nail holes for a perfect finish.
Finally, Landscape Contractor Jenn Nawada and Carpenter Nathan Gilbert help a homeowner build a backyard ice skating rink. Jenn and Nathan explain the best time of the season to make a rink and then ensure that the yard is level enough for the project. Nathan then shows Jenn and the homeowner the hardware and lumber he plans to build the rink, so it’s level and easy to assemble and disassemble. Jenn then explains which type of plastic to use to form the base of the rink.
After determining the size and layout, the three set out to build the rink. Jenn shows the homeowner how to determine the height for the top of the ice before Nathan details how to use the hardware to create butt and corner joints. Then, after adjusting the rink’s frame for height, the three fill any gaps with extra wood to ensure it can hold the ice. Finally, Jenn and Nathan roll out the plastic tarp, secure it in place with staples, and fill the rink with a garden hose.
How To Clean Dried Out Paint Brushes
Master painter Mauro Henrique explains that while paintbrushes should be cleaned after every use, all is not necessarily lost if the paint dries on a brush.
How To Install Tongue and Groove Flooring
General contractor Tom Silva shows host Kevin O’Connor how tongue-and-groove flooring works, how to install it, and some of the tools and techniques required for the job.
How To Build a Backyard Ice Rink
Landscape contractor Jenn Nawada and carpenter Nathan Gilbert help a homeowner build a backyard ice rink for her kids that they can use year after year.
Where to Find It
Jenn and Nathan built the ice skating rink out of a series of 2×10″x16′ KD boards found at home centers and lumberyards. To secure the boards together, Nathan used a series of galvanized brackets, which Simpson Strong-Tie manufactures.
Jenn and Nathan used a 28×64′ 7mm white polyethylene from J. Freeman, Inc to hold the water in the rink. Outside of New England, look for a local plastic distributor company that makes products such as boat wraps. Some companies might even specify plastic for ice skating rinks.
For the details around center ice, Nathan used a PVC board and some red PEX pipe, which can be found at most home centers.
Kelstrom Landscaping, Inc. provided expert assistance with this segment.
Original Air Date: Oct 21, 2021, Season 20; Ep. 4 23:42
Products and Services from this Episode
- Galvanized bracket manufacturer: Simpson Strong-Tie
- Polyethylene plastic liner manufacturer: J. Freeman, Inc.
- Expert assistance: Kelstrom Landscaping, Inc.