Cool Tek #1

One of the easiest, cheapest and quickest improvement one can do is paint. A paint make-over can completely transform a living area. But one of the biggest obstacles to painting is bleed-through. This is common mostly with older homes. Water stains, wallpaper, wood knots, etc. discolor the fresh paint and re-emerge on the surface. In the past, I had found only an oil-based stainblock was efficient way of solving the problem. But it was very stinky and took forever to dry. (Not a good option when you have to live in the place you're painting!!)

Well, Masterchem has come out with a primer sealer called Premium Kilz. It's water-based, so clean-up is super easy! It has a really low odor, and dries in about an hour!! But best of all? It kicks butt!! I found it works as good as the oil-based stuff. This is a great product, it dries to a brilliant white, leaving a flawless surface for the final coat.

It is a little pricey, running about $25-$30 a gallon. But it will save you money and time in the long run. (Just read the label in the store before you buy it, to make sure it's the right sealer for you.)