six-point socket's tidbits of Home Improvement, small projects and other stuff.

[FestitaMakool]

What Cheese said!
Oh, it’s tedious..

I guess (and hope) you have the older radiators?  [eek] Cause they hold up.
From my experience in my work, the new convectors are PITA.. On some samples the metal is so thin as it’s the paint what’s keep them sealed.. until paint let go.. oh no.. and the water needs to be filtered or they clog internally and in the valve. So don’t go new unless offered extremely long and wide warranty.

 

[six-point socket II]

I'm not sure that painting radiators sounds like a quick in between job?  Sounds like tedium to me.

It is tedious indeed, I've done quite a few radiators by now, and it takes ages to paint them. In fact, I quit doing it with a brush and roller, I now just buy cans of spray paint, that makes it a lot quicker. You do have to mask all the surroundings of course, and live with a bad paint smell for a few hours.

By the way, those special "radiator" paints are a big scamm, they're just as heat resistant as any normal paint from a decent brand.

When you paint a radiator, make sure you sand it very well, by hand. The smoothness of the metal and the old coat can make sure your new coat sticks very badly if you don't sand properly.

Hi Alex,

thanks for the reminder to be thoroughly when sanding!

I have no real experience with paints & radiators. I tried the spray cans once on a basement radiator, it was disastrous. Because I had no idea what I was doing, and no "guidance" on how it is properly done. That's why I wanted to go with a roller and brushes.

Speaking of the paint. I tossed a coin. Basically. I had one guy I trust tell me I could use the Satiné (for example) and the other guy I trust said that those alkyd based paints turn "yellow" quicker with the heat of the radiators.

Speaking of the price, given what I paid for Satiné at that place, and now paid for the Specotherm. Not much difference. In fact, the Specotherm was about 20 bucks cheaper than if I had bought the same amount of Satiné. So I don't view it as a scam per se. Of course, I don't know all the prices as there are so many different brands to be had, it's possible there are price ratios that are completely off. I'm sure you have the better oversight, Alex!

Since you are the second guy with experience in this field to tell me I could use regular paint, maybe I'll try that for that one basement radiator that needs to be painted with one of the following projects.

Thank you!

What Alex said! Had great results using spray cans and if you use „Malervlies“ to cover the surroundings, it takes the overspray a little better out of the air, compared to foil...

No wonder the store ripped you off on pricing. The expensive mitered brushes... ;P

I hope your next purchasing experience turns out better.
I got lucky with a new wood supplier recently. 30mins more to drive but higher quality and lower price than the one I already purchased a ton of over the last year...

I'll try and see if I can snap a picture of that basement radiator I went to work on with a spray can, when I reach that room. After that, you'll never hand me a spray can ever again.  [big grin]

When you paint a radiator, make sure you sand it very well, by hand. The smoothness of the metal and the old coat can make sure your new coat sticks very badly if you don't sand properly.

That’s the reason we bring them to a sand blaster. Drop them off one day and pick them up the next.  [big grin]

I wouldn't even know where to look for a sand blaster that can do 1.9m long radiators. Plus, removing and carrying them ... Thank you, no. If I was to remove them, there would have been new radiators installed.  [big grin]

What Cheese said!
Oh, it’s tedious..

I guess (and hope) you have the older radiators?  [eek] Cause they hold up.
From my experience in my work, the new convectors are PITA.. On some samples the metal is so thin as it’s the paint what’s keep them sealed.. until paint let go.. oh no.. and the water needs to be filtered or they clog internally and in the valve. So don’t go new unless offered extremely long and wide warranty.

There are 5 old radiators left. 2 in the living room, which are about to be painted. 1 in the basement that gets replaced once I'm working in that room. 1 in the basement that will get painted in due time. 1 upstairs that will be replaced like the rest.

I found a good quality radiator to replace the old ones with, and I don't expect any trouble. The manufacturer gives a 25 warranty and is a long standing German company. No worries there.

Kind regards,
Oliver

 

[six-point socket II]

More materials.

Kind regards,
Oliver

 

[six-point socket II]

Hi!

One day - one radiator. As I've said, quick project in-between.  [big grin]

Getting ready.

Using a striking scraper to get the marble windowsill removed from the brackets. A few tender whacks, and it comes off. Funny enough, I only needed to do this once, the other 3 popped immediately, together with the first one. Then I used the same striking scraper to remove the cured, dry & very hard and brittle adhesive.

Hand sanding. Using the Festool sanding sponges, they are simply perfect for this type of stuff. Grit 120.

Vacuum and clean.

Preparing the paint.

Add masking tape to two important parts.

Ready to go.

Taking a picture in between ist worth the time, helps you find some small spots you missed.

Better.

Removing the floor cover to get down to the feet - and then it's already all said and done.

I'm very happy with the results and so is my better half. I probably couldn't earn a living doing this, but compared to prior experiences, this was really smooth sailing all the way and the results are much, much better than what I expected initially. Shows again, good paint is worth its price. And since the windowsill is going back on top, what can be seen later on, is a lot less compared to what can be seen now.

Tomorrow it's time for radiator #2.

Kind regards,
Oliver

 

[Rob Z]

Oliver, great results !  We had a few jobs where we cleaned/prepped/painted radiators. On others, we took them to a place in Washington DC that specialized in cleaning radiators with a chemical bath and sandblasting. That was a real thrill  [scared] [eek] because of all the work moving them. One customer I recall was thrilled because it turned out that the radiator was solid brass  [eek], but no one knew because there were about a zillion coats of paint on the radiator.

I think I like the look of the slab of stone on top versus the standard approach here in my area of having an enclosure built around the radiator.

 

[six-point socket II]

Hi!

Rob, thank you! Wow, solid brass radiator - I guess that were the old, golden days. Unbelievable these days. But I bet, once finished that was a real eye catcher. I hope it wasn't painted again?

Another day, another radiator.

Removing the windowsill.

Sanding.

A tiny one, that bites like a big one!  [big grin] Knipex Cobra XS ( 87 00 100 )

And then the mind wanders, thoughts and ideas form. This is an opportunity, so why not hang new wallpaper behind the radiator? So let's remove the wallpaper.

And when you plan on hanging fresh, new wallpaper. Why not re-do the silicone joints? So let's remove the silicone.

And then there is this tiny windowsill/ cover, that a little loose here and there. So why not take it out, clean it and then place it back in? Out it went.

At some point, everything that created dust, dirt and debris was done. So I cleaned the radiator and painted it. That went better than yesterday, I'm getting a hang to it. I also got the advice to keep it lukewarm while painting, that's supposed to help the paint laying down. I think it went great.

Of course that turns a "quick" 2 day project into at least a 3 day project. Tomorrow I want to remove one last silicone joint, then I'll hang the wallpaper behind the radiator, re-set the small/tiny windowsill/cover and then I'll put the marble windowsills back in. And a few other small things need to be taken care of as well.

Kind regards,
Oliver

 

[Rob Z]

Oliver, I see you're falling victim to the dreaded "project creep" [eek] [big grin]

The brass radiator was NOT painted afterwards  [smile] [smile], the homeowner was THRILLED to see what was under all the paint. I recall the radiator  had very fine, artistic engravings in the brass, but all those were covered by the zillion coats of paint.

It was at about this time I got smart and found some local guys who moved radiators for a living.  Two big dudes with an old pickup and some handtrucks.  Good business model, low overhead. [big grin]

 

[six-point socket II]

Hi everyone,

Since it's already very early Saturday morning when I'm writing this, this work was done yesterday. The 3rd day of what was originally a 2 day project.

I said, I wanted to remove another silicone joint and put a new one it. So let's start.

A cutter still works best.

And thats when I realized that it wasn't just a silicone joint, but the entire edge of that coated chipboard was covered with it. I never knew.

That posed the question of how to make that a nice, white edge. Anyway, whatever I would come up with, the boards needed to come out to be thoroughly cleaned and the edge to be treated somehow.

While doing this, I remembered I had some white leftover edge banding from an earlier project. But to use it, that edge had to be pure chipboard with no silicone present. So I used my Festool Pocket StickFix to clean and sand the edges. (Grit 120, Brilliant II)

Then edge banding with our iron.

Used the cutter to take off the excess edge banding and the Pocket StickFix to lightly sand over/ break the edge.

Time to clean the small windowsill/ cover.

And I repaired it in a spot where the plastic profiles used to custom build this became loose.

Then I mounted everything back in it's original place.

And while I let the adhesives set and dry. I went over into the other room to mount marble windowsill #1 again.

Between those to chipboard covers had always been a gap. Closed with silicone of course. I decided to use filler instead, I will have to lightly sand this tomorrow (today) and then it's done as well.

New silicone joints.

And finally I could mount marble windowsill #2. I used a straight edge to find out where I had to add a little to the brackets, as I knew from removing the old adhesive that it was very, very thick in one spot. Glued a scrap piece in place and added a generous amount of adhesive. Works perfectly fine, the adhesive is great stuff - sets nicely!

And that's what it looks like finished.

Special appearance, Würth Bond + Seal! Perfect adhesive for stuff like this. Highly recommended.

I hope you guys had some fun watching over my shoulders for the last 3 days. Another project finished.

Kind regards,
Oliver

 

[nclemmons]

Great job, Oliver.  I feel productive just reading what you are doing!

I’m continually impressed with both your tools, your knowledge on taking on projects, and your motivation to get them done!

 

[six-point socket II]

Thank you very much, from the bottom of my heart, Neil! This coming, especially, from you, is such a huge compliment!

Kind regards,
Oliver

 

[six-point socket II]

Anyone remember these? There were also some that had a bit holder instead of the slotted blade.

Oregon Easydriver by Omark Industries. Was my Belgian grandpa's, gifted to me during the 90ties, found it while being busy in the basement.

Kind regards,
Oliver

 

[FestitaMakool]

I remember we having an Oregon driver, also others would have. A very long time since I have seen one now. The Coca driver is cool, with bottle opener and all. I love tiny slotted drivers, this I would want to have in my apron, most for show. I use these small drivers for everything.

 

[six-point socket II]

Oh, that Coke thingy. That is not a screwdriver. That is for when I get my 70ties on ... That is an original bar room ice pick w/ bottle opener! It's only missing the front cap/ferrule.

Kind regards,
Oliver

 

[bertv]

Yeah, I have one of those. Not sure if it i branded the same. Have to look it up...

 

[six-point socket II]

Went to look after this today, after I more or less accidentally stumbled over the bill for this work. Gladly I will only pay 1/50 of that bill in the end. But it's still funny enough to post. I decided I won't get worked up about this stuff anymore, I will just collect it for future reference, for the right time & place so to speak.

Work by: German master electrician company (small business type). 9 hrs (1.5hrs driving time) over 2 days, 2 people. Additionally a horn was installed over this box (2m cable length ...). Total: exceeded 500 Euro incl. VAT.

Have fun!

Kind regards,
Oliver

 

[Gregor]

[blink]

 

[grobkuschelig]

Oliver, it really looks like you got screwed! ;P

...sorry could not leave the pun alone. [emoji56]

As always, if you want it done right, do it yourself.
A shame what people feel to be able to write invoices for, today.

 

[bertv]

Oliver, you should report them to the proper authority. My guess is that the 'Meister' sent his most wayward employees to you. Or if it was he who did this, his title should be taken away from him. Don’t you have some kind of ‘…Kammer’ organisation that looks after the proper wat of doing things?

 

[Ron B]

The Easydriver is a great tool.  I have two of  them on my workbench.  I bought them in late 1970's or early 1980's.  Amazing torque.  They let you put down pressure on a screw and lets you get those difficult screws backed out.  It is a very handy tool when hanging drywall.  If a drywall screw is a little high, you can give them another quarter turn and get that screw just right.  Mine has a shaft that allows me to change the tips instead of the whole screwdriver shaft.  This is one of those tools that I wonder why they stopped making them.  I rank it right up there next to a Studebaker Champ.

 

[six-point socket II]

[blink]

Oliver, it really looks like you got screwed! ;P

...sorry could not leave the pun alone. [emoji56]

As always, if you want it done right, do it yourself.
A shame what people feel to be able to write invoices for, today.

Oliver, you should report them to the proper authority. My guess is that the 'Meister' sent his most wayward employees to you. Or if it was he who did this, his title should be taken away from him. Don’t you have some kind of ‘…Kammer’ organisation that looks after the proper wat of doing things?

Thanks! Of course I could report this, but then 49 people would be helluva mad at me, because I know that if any supervising authority looks at this (and all the rest ...) they're going to simply shut the garage down until everything is repaired/maintained properly. The garage is critical infrastructure so to speak, there's no way the 35 to 40 cars parked there constantly find a spot around the neighborhood. So from that point of view I'm really not that much interested in getting real authorities or the utility involved. I know the result. I will obviously do that the very second I see something that poses an imminent threat to life/health.

What I did of course, as there is an administrator in charge, I informed them with (the same) pictures and what I think about it. (Like the last couple of times ...) Their decision.

I can't wait for the next owner meeting. The same question will come up, from 2/3 or more: "Do we really need to repair/maintain this, is it really necessary?", then a vote takes place, and nothing except for bare necessities will be done. (If anything at all.)

This is also the reason there is absolutely no "DIY" on this.

The Easydriver is a great tool.  I have two of  them on my workbench.  I bought them in late 1970's or early 1980's.  Amazing torque.  They let you put down pressure on a screw and lets you get those difficult screws backed out.  It is a very handy tool when hanging drywall.  If a drywall screw is a little high, you can give them another quarter turn and get that screw just right.  Mine has a shaft that allows me to change the tips instead of the whole screwdriver shaft.  This is one of those tools that I wonder why they stopped making them.  I rank it right up there next to a Studebaker Champ.

Totally agree, I should have that shaft/bit holder somewhere. I remember I used it before, now that you mention it! I will have a look if I can find it. Great tool indeed!

Had to look up the Studebaker, that's a fantastic ride! If I may ask, you own & maintain one?

Kind regards,
Oliver