The DIY Projects...Painting

So as you can see I am opposed to all kinds of work after my regular job and kids. I am a bit lazy in this area and I found before I really saw what I was living on I would KISS my work away by hiring it done. Only this did not KISS away the fact I had to pay someone else to do that work.

Now I look at my budget and see I can not afford to pay for those small projects to get done around the home and in the yard. The only people I will pay to do anything in the home or around the yard right now is my children.
I am learning very quickly to Do It Yourself . There are tons of resources online about doing it your self.
(which you can find on the Satisfying Simple Resource page on this blog)
You can also check out your public library to find books on what you need to work on.

As you will find you can save so much money if you Do It Yourself. (DYI)

The first project I ever undertook in this area was painting a deck out back. When we moved in the deck was faded and boards were broken.

Deck just after the railings were fixed but before paint.

With the help of Krik and Adam we got those boards were taken out and new ones replaced. Just as a note: I did not have to pay them to do this because they love me so much.

 Then came the task of painting. I went to the hardware store and picked up barn red paint. I scrapped what I could of the older paint off with a wire brush. However, there really was not that much paint to scrap to begin with. Then I started painting. This for me is one of the biggest projects I have ever undertaken. I had to get the correct equipment to do the job (ie. roller, roller pan for paint, paint brushes ect.) then i put on old cloths and started painting. The first coat went on really fast then I noticed the paint was being absorbed in so much that I needed a second coat. To complain would be futile so I went to work again with the second coat of paint. The results astounded me when I finished. It looks like a brand new deck out back. I find I am using it more and I enjoy being out there more too.

After paint had been applied. Looks like a new deck.

So I could have spent around $100-300 having this fixed professionally however, with a little hard work, elbow grease and some good ol' fashion determination I did it in under $30 with paint and equipment. Savings of around $70.00.

I will post more DYI projects in the near future.