CasaSugar

Casa Quickie: Sayonara Stickies

CasaSugar — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 13:00:28 -0700

If you've got stubborn adhesive labels on any of your home purchases (bottles, plates, books, etc.) or gifts, there's a simple way to remove them that doesn't involve picking at them with sticky fingers. Just blast your hair dryer onto the label for a few seconds, and then use a basic craft blade to scrape it off. The heat from the dryer will loosen up the adhesive, making it a cinch to peel off the label. Ahh, if you'd only known . . .
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Etsy Find: Decorative Adhesive Labels

CasaSugar — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 12:00:41 -0700

For those of you who don't find organizing traditionally fun, I bring you Remake Decorative Adhesive Labels ($5 for 16). Filing away your utility bills? Organizing your pantry? Slap these beauties onto your file folders or flour, sugar, coffee, or even makeup jars, and getting your house into shipshape might actually be fun, or at the very least, chic. This set has an aqua, chartreuse, turquoise, and periwinkle color palette, but other colors are available if you're not looking for a cool palette. What do you think? Do you dig them? I think I might have to go on a Spring cleaning binge, just to make use of these purdy things . . .

Casa Quickie: Sayonara Adhesive Residue

CasaSugar — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 08:30:06 -0700

Has the label on your brand new uterus vase left you with a sticky residue that's not so pretty? If you have one handy, you can scrape away the adhesive with a craft blade, but that could potentially scuff up your fab new home accessory. A simpler solution, though, is to rub the residue with a cotton ball soaked in nail polish remover or rubbing alcohol. That should kick the stick instantly. Then, you can focus on explaining to your guests why you bought a uterus vase in the first place . . .
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Casa Quickie: Put Your Veggie Oil to Work

CasaSugar — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 14:00:02 -0700

If your vegetable oil thinks it can get away with only working in the kitchen, you better tell it to think again. Veggie oil isn't only good for cooking: you can also use it to remove adhesive left from sticky labels (or the stickers themeselves) on anything around the house. Just drop a bit of oil onto a paper towel or a tea towel and give the adhesive a good rub. If the item you're working on is washable, rinse it with a bit of soap and water. If not, just dampen a tea towel and use a drop of dish soap, then wipe away the oil and adhesive with the cloth. Bye-bye sticky stuff!
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Professional Help: Refinishing This Craigslist Find

CasaSugar — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 09:15:00 -0800

Su Casa member Katedavis recently asked for some help with refinishing a cool bar she found on Craigslist. Since it's Renewal month here at Casa, I thought that her post fit in perfectly with our theme.

I felt like I was in a little over my head with giving great advice on this issue, so I thought I'd pull in Chris Howard, who you might remember as the awesome midcentury-modern furniture refinisher I highlighted in my Adventures in Craigslisting posts. Let's see what advice he had for Katedavis.

Chris labeled the necessary steps as, "Strip, sand, repair, prime, paint . . ."

He says,

If this project is taking place indoors, I'd recommend hand painting. If you have access to a garage or exterior space, spray painting will get the best results. For color, black is versatile and modern. Black will go with any color pallet. Unfortunately this is the hardest finish to perfect.

To see all of the steps, just read more.

Remove any hardware, adjustable shelves, and any moving parts that can be done separately. Prepare space with tarp, dust covers, etc.
Strip. It's important to strip away the old finish (dirt, grease, remaining glues, etc.) to guarantee the paint's adhesion. Otherwise the paint might not stick; the finish may orange peel; or, the paint could chip off. In addition, furniture strippers will soften/ripple the contact paper, making it easier to pull off.
Sand. Always in the direction of the grain, sand from low grit to higher e.g. 150-180-220. When sanding veneer be sure not to sand through.
Repair the damaged corner with Bondo. First use a razor to cut triangles, dig holes - crevasses, whatever is necessary so the Bondo locks/grabs in place and won't pop out in the future. Read the directions. Mix. (You'll have 15 minutes to work with the mixture.) Push the Bondo into the space, slightly higher than it needs to be. Once the mixture gets firm, wait 5-10 minutes and use a razor to gently slice the Bondo into shape. Allow it to fully cure for about an hour. Then use 180-grit paper to do the final shaping. For other significant fills use Bondo (or plastic wood for small chips) and a Spackle knife.
Do a final sanding with 220 over the entire surface. Use a cotton towel to wipe off any dust from the surface and grain. Repeat until there is no evidence of dust on the towel. In addition you can vacuum the surface.
For home painting projects, I'd recommend either Rustoleum professional, or Rustoleum Painters Touch. They're readily available at OSH, ACE, Home Depot . . . and generate a durable, smooth factory-like finish. If you're confident with your brush and fanning skills, go for it. Brush lines can be finely sanded out. Rustoleum also sells Aqua, a child-safe, water-based paint. Color charts and MSDS available at Rustoleum's site.
Apply two coats of Rustoleum Primer. Working from one side to another (Left to right, right to left, half-way overlapping each line). Allow the wood to soak up the primer. The can says it dries in two hours . . . but let it dry one to two days. Then lightly smooth with 220-grit paper (or #0000 steel wool), and remove the dust. If the sand paper gums up quickly, the primer needs additional time to dry. (Drying times may vary depending on weather conditions.)
Apply two coats of FLAT (in the color of your choosing). Flat sands easily and the dry time is much less than the primer. Let dry for 1 day . . . sand with 220, then dust.
Apply two to three coats of semi-gloss. This will create a strong finish, which will last for years to come. Use #0000 steel wool to buff between coats one and two . . . make sure there is no dust anywhere before you spray the final coat. This will be dry to the touch within two hours. . . . But will not cure for two weeks. (The can does not say this).
(For tabletops spray a clear coat of nonyellowing scratch-resistant enamel.)
For a heavy-use bar, consider custom glass cut for the top, and a mirror behind the liquor shelf. Also available are tiny halogen light fixtures for cabinets, to create a high-end modern touch.
Lastly, pour a stiff drink, relax, and admire your work.

Thanks, Chris! That's some excellent advice that I'm sure Katedavis will appreciate, as will other readers interested in a refinishing a project.
If you have other technical home project questions, send me a private message with the subject line Professional Help, and I'll do my best to find an expert to answer your queries!

DWR's Champagne Cap Challenge

CasaSugar — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 16:00:20 -0800

Need an odd weekend project? Then try Design Within Reach's Champagne Chair Contest. Your mission, if you choose to accept it: Create an original miniature chair using only the foil, label, cage, and cork from no more than two Champagne bottles. The Champagne chairs will be judged by a panel of industry experts, and the winning designers will receive DWR Gift Cards.

Hurry though-all entries must be received via email by the end of the day on Monday, January 7th!

To find out how to enter, just read more.

Use any or all of the materials from no more than two (2) Champagne bottles (no glass). Glue is the only permitted adhesive. You are not permitted to use any additional materials – including tape and/or paint.
The chair must measure no more than 4"x4"x4" in size.
The chair must be an original design – miniature replicas will not be considered.
To enter your chair, email champagnechair@dwr.com.
Fifty chosen finalists will be asked to send chairs to DWR. If your chair is chosen you will have to mail it to DWR by Friday, January 18, 2008. The winners will be chosen from these 50 chairs, all of which will go on the Champagne Chair Tour (and will become property of DWR).

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