Rate Interior Paints

Most interior paints are very similarly priced. However, "designer" paints, which bear the name of a famous interior decorator, may cost slightly more than average, while store brands typically cost less. Many homeowners choose interior paints based on name recognition or price. Learning to rate paints will help you decide which features are important to you.

Instructions

1. Consider the type of paint. Latex enamel contains thickeners and other ingredients that enhance the paint's ability to stick to the wall. Latex paint is similar to latex enamel, but is generally thinner and more prone to runs and drips. Both latex paint and latex enamel are water soluble, and cleanup is relatively easy. Oil paint generates noxious odors and should only be used in well-ventilated areas. It is relatively easy to apply, but cleanup requires paint thinner and other volatile chemicals.

2. Consider the coverage. Each container of paint lists the square footage that it should cover. The actual square footage will vary depending on the surface to which it is applied, how thickly it is used and even prevailing weather conditions. Compare the listed square footage on different brands of paint.

3. Consider the paint thickness. Thin paint requires numerous applications. It may drip or even run off the wall in sheets. Thicker paint requires only one to two coats for even and complete coverage.

4. Consider the paint texture. Some paints may contain extenders, or ingredients that are designed to enhance the square footage that the paint covers. If not fully and evenly dissolved, these ingredients can change the texture of the paint, making it lumpy or uneven.

5. Consider professional paint ratings. Only you can choose the paint that is right for you, but expert opinions can help you narrow down the options. Many professional painters have websites on which they discuss their preferred products. Other websites are designed for both professionals and homeowners to ask questions and seek advice. A simple Internet search will lead you to sites on which the merits and disadvantages of different paints are discussed at length.

6. Experiment with different interior paints. After you narrow down your list to two or three possibilities, purchase small quantities of each brand of paint. Apply them to inconspicuous areas of your walls and allow them to dry for three days. Analyze the ease of application and the finished results to determine which paint is your personal favorite.

Put Graphics On A Car

Put Graphics on a Car

You can put graphics on a car without having to paint them on. Vinyl graphics are easy to install and to uninstall in the event of selling the vehicle or purchasing a new vehicle with graphics you are less than fond of. You can purchase graphics to put on your car at many auto shops and online dealers, or have graphics specially made from your own designs. Custom graphic paint jobs require the use of adhesive graphic stencils.

Instructions

1. Clean the exterior surface where the graphic will go. Use a dilution of one teaspoon of mild hand soap to a gallon of water to clean the surface of the car and remove dust, dirt and grease. Wipe the surface dry with a lint-free cloth.

2. Rest the graphic decal into place, figuring out exactly where you want the graphic to adhere before removing the backing of the graphic and exposing the adhesive part. Have a friend help you with long graphic pieces.

3. Spray on the graphic adhesive or the soap and water mixture from Step 1; if you cannot find a graphic adhesive, the soap and water mixture can be used instead and poured into a spray bottle for easy application. Wet down the entire area underneath and around where the graphic will go, leaving no dry spots.

4. Pull the sticky backing completely off of the graphic decal. Spray the sticky backing with the adhesive spray or soap and water mixture. Keep the decal straight to prevent the graphic from sticking to itself.

5. Set the graphic into place on the side of your vehicle. Slide the piece around very slowly, with gentle movements until the graphic is in place.

6. Work from the center of the decal outwards to remove creases, air bubbles and to push out the liquid between the decal and the surface of your car. Repeat this step several times to remove all air bubbles and liquid from underneath the graphic decal.

7. Allow the graphic to dry for at least a half-hour or overnight, if possible, before removing the top layer of the graphic decal. Pull the clear top layer of the graphic straight up and off the graphic after all liquid underneath the graphic has dried.

Put A Spray Paint Logo In Counterstrike

Put a Spray Paint Logo in Counter-Strike

The ability to use images as spray paint "tags" in "Counter-Strike" has long been a feature of the game. Being able to place spray logos lets players mark walls on the game map with their game clan tags, custom graphics or other images that they choose. The game engine used by the original "Counter-Strike" can't place images into the game directly, so to put spray paint logos in "Counter-Strike" you have to use a converter to change the image to a type that is usable by the game.

Instructions

1. Launch the "Counter-Strike" Decal Converter program by double-clicking the "DecalConverter.exe" program.

2. Select the "Open" option from the Decal Converter's "File" menu. A new window will open, allowing you to browse for the image you want to convert. The program will open a preview of the spray image that will update as you make changes to it.

3. Decide whether you want your spray logo to have a transparent background or not. If you do, select the color you want to make transparent (the background color) and click the "Replace" button. The image preview will update to show the portions of the spray tag image that are set to be transparent in the game.

4. Click the "Max" buttons for both the "Width" and "Height" settings, or enter custom width and height values. Spray tags in "Counter-Strike" may not have either attribute set higher than 256, and each attribute is linked to the other in such a way that one must decrease as the other increases.

5. Select the "Make Decal" option from the "Decal" menu. Save your decal to your computer's Desktop or to the "SteamApps\counter-strike\cstrike" folder in your Steam directory. Change the name of the file to "tempdecal.wad", replacing the existing file by that name if one exists.

6. Launch "Counter-Strike" and join a game server. Aim at a nearby wall and press the "T" key on your keyboard; your custom spray paint logo will appear where you tagged the wall.

Purchase San Francisco Giants Tickets

San Francisco is home to Major League Baseball's Giants.

The Giants are one of baseball's oldest franchises, having won more baseball games than any other team, according to Baseball-Reference.com. Memorable Giants moments include the "shot heard 'round the world," Bobby Thompson's game-ending home run that clinched the 1951 National League pennant over the Brooklyn Dodgers, and Willie Mays making "the catch" in the 1954 World Series. Playing in Major League Baseball's National League West Division, the Giants play their home games out of AT&T Park, a place where you can see home runs splash into McCovey Cove beyond right field. To see the Giants in action, you'll need tickets.

Instructions

1. Buy San Francisco Giants tickets at AT&T Park. The main box office is located at Willie Mays Plaza along King Street. It is open 9 AM to 5 PM Monday through Friday, and before and during all Giants home games.

AT&T Park

24 Willie Mays Plaza

San Francisco, CA 94107

(415) 972-2000

sanfrancisco.giants.mlb.com/sf/ballpark

2. Order Giants tickets on the phone. Call 415-972-2000 to speak with a San Francisco Giants ticket representative. They will handle all ticket inquiries, including individual game tickets, season tickets, mini plans, and group tickets. You can choose to have your tickets mailed to you or held at the will-call ticket windows.

3. Buy Giants tickets online at the team's official website, Sfgiants.com. Click on the "Tickets" tab and browse through the game schedule for available tickets. After you decide which tickets you want to buy, enter your credit card information and select a method of ticket delivery. You can decide to print your tickets out at home, have them mailed to you, or have them held at the will-call ticket window. Another option is to use the automated will-call ticket kiosks in Willie Mays Plaza. Simply swipe the credit card you used to purchase the tickets and the automated will-call ticket kiosk will print out your tickets for you.

4. Use a wireless mobile device to purchase tickets. Use the Internet browser to buy tickets from the team's official website, Sfgiants.com. Click on the schedule link and select the game you would like to attend. Click the "T" ticket icon, select the number of seats and enter your credit card information. When choosing the ticket delivery method, select "mobile phone tickets" and your tickets will be delivered directly to your mobile device.

5. Buy individual game tickets at select Giants Dugout store locations around the San Francisco area. Check the Resources section below for Giants Dugout store locations.

6. If the game you want to attend is sold out, visit a reputable ticket reseller online such as Stub Hub or Vivid Seats. You will likely be able to find the tickets that you want, although you'll probably pay a premium over the face value of the seats. Enter "San Francisco Giants" and click search to find a list of available Giants tickets. For help buying tickets on Stub Hub you can call them at 866-788-2482 and customer service will help you locate and purchase the tickets you want.

Publish Christian Poetry

Publish Christian Poetry

Christian poetry, also called spiritual poetry, is narrowly-focused subject matter that can make publishing a challenge. Christian poets, especially, find it difficult to make a living on selling their poetry alone as this type of poetry is written more for the love of writing and glorifying God than for profit. If you write spiritual poetry and want to share it with others, whether for profit or simple exposure, using as many opportunities as you can find is the most effective way to get your work published.

Instructions

1. Purchase a copy of the Poet's Market and formulate a list of your publishing options. The Poet's Market is a resource book for poets that includes a large section on Christian poetry markets, which lists publishers who accept Christian poetry and gives complete contact details and submission guidelines. Compiling a list of suitable markets for your work from this book is the most effective way to find paying markets for your Christian poetry.

2. Search the internet for online Christian poem publishing markets and associations for Christian writers. Because the market for Christian poetry is narrow in comparison to other types of writing, getting involved in a Christian writer's association can help you build a strong network. In Christian writing, the atmosphere of fellowship is such that other writers share ideas and publishing venues. A strong network will be invaluable for getting your work in print or performed at Christian events.

3. Contact Christian churches and organizations with a short letter of introduction. The letter should be brief and give a short bio of you and your writing credits. Offer to allow the church or organization to publish your poetry in church newsletters or in weekly church handouts. This publishing avenue will likely not be a paying opportunity, but it's an effective way to publish your Christian-oriented work to a wide audience. This visibility can help you build your name as a Christian poet, which helps build your resume.

Find Jobs As A Clown

The silly side of clowning around ends when you don't have a paying gig. Professional clowns have to work just as hard as other professionals to find and land worthwhile gigs. The best part of being a clown is that every job is an interview, because someone is always judging your clown skills for their own party needs.

Instructions

1. Entertain kids at birthday parties. This is the most popular form of clown jobs and it's one job that helps you find other jobs by simply being a clown that other kids want at their birthday party. Advertise in the paper and on bulletin boards, set up a booth at chamber of commerce events advertising your services and leave fliers at party supply stores and party rental places.

2. Walk in a local parade, passing out fun items that have your contact information on them. Use this opportunity to impress a lot of people in one shot. Since most parades use volunteers and not paid workers, consider a parade as a networking opportunity.

3. Speak to the coordinators of local carnivals and festivals and see if they'd like to hire you as a clown. Regional events are a great place to meet people in your area and most coordinators have a budget for extra entertainment. Just make sure you can tell them what you offer and why they should use you for their event.

4. Visit churches and schools and find out if they have events coming up where they need a clown for hire. You can also give the school enough fliers to send home with each student advertising that you visited the school and would love to entertain at a birthday party.

5. Show up at a park or beach during the weekend. Bring a few select tricks and some balloons and see what happens. Kids will run over to you and parents will take notice. You may find a few jobs by just showing up and clowning around with people.

6. Travel around with a circus for an ongoing job. Network with people in the entertainment industry to find out which circus companies are hiring, or visit websites of circus companies to find out join the circus.

7. Protect bull riders and cowboys by becoming a rodeo clown. If you want a little more danger than making a balloon sword, grab your makeup, some baggy pants and your adrenaline and get in the riding ring. Rodeo clowns entertain people, while at the same time protecting someone's life.

Protect An Oil Painting

Protect an Oil Painting

Oil paintings can last many for many generations, but only if they're carefully preserved. You must take special care to protect oil paintings from dust, scratches, humidity and other harmful factors. Here's protect an oil painting.

Instructions

1. Coat the surface of the painting with a layer of varnish to preserve it. This should only be done by the artist after the painting has thoroughly dried (about one year on average), or with the assistance of a knowledgeable conservator.

2. Hang oil paintings in places where they will not be knocked over or scratched. Make sure there is no possibility of water dripping onto it. Avoid placing oil paintings near windows, fireplaces, radiators, heaters and a/c vents.

3. Remove dust from the surface of an oil painting with a soft brush (goat hair brushes from the craft store work well) or a pure white cloth. Don't use feather dusters or sheepskin dusters, which can catch on the surface texture of the paint and damage the painting.

4. Protect your oil paintings while moving. During the move, place them in a safe location, such as a closet, where they won't be bumped. You also can move them into your new home first. When your paintings aren't hanging, rest them, painted side out, against a wall with a padded surface beneath them. Do not cover paintings with plastic no matter where you store them. They need air circulation to prevent moisture buildup.

5. Never place oil paintings in the kitchen or bathroom. The changing levels of humidity will cause damage including mold and/or mildew. Do not allow people to smoke in rooms where valuable paintings are kept.

6. Wash your hands whenever handling an oil painting; oils from your hands can damage the surface.

Promote & Sell My Products Online

Websites are the gateway to selling products online successfully

Promoting and selling products online can be difficult, with thousands of websites competing for business. It can be an even greater challenge to market a product or service without a site carefully designed to engage potential clients. Anyone can place products for sale online, but not all sites generate significant profits. It will take time, strategic marketing and implementing tools to earn positive results with consistent traffic.

Instructions

1. Build an easy-to-navigate website. Purchase a domain name and select a hosting company. The name should be related to the name of the business and products sold. List the products prominently in one section on the page. Include a site map that shows all the links associated with the site. The website must link back to the homepage on every page. For example, the "About Us" link must have a link that allows the client to click back home. It also may be smart to list payment options on each page as well.

2. Make the products listed on the page stand out. Consider adding hyperlinks to blog reviews near the product pictures on the website. The pictures should catch the potential client's eye, and the content should secure the sale. Establish a review section linking to your company's blog or other authoritative blogs that review similar products or services.

3. Open a merchant account to accept online sales. This link should be strategically placed below a product picture. For example, a picture of an electronic appliance may include an add-to-shopping-cart function. PayPal and other merchant companies provide these services for little or no cost. Paying for the product must be easy for the client.

4. Implement a marketing plan that includes social media and posting classified ads online. Merchant Circle is a low-cost option to promote via classified ad, blog, forum participation and more. Finding all the best places to promote and sell products online can be a time-consuming task. For instance, a Facebook fan page could be very useful in gaining product exposure. However, the effort to post updates and participate in forums can take significant time. Creating a poll on Facebook about where people look for your products could be the easiest tool to help generate smart marketing. Also, adding a merchant account feature to sell directly on Facebook is an option. Facebook fan pages are free and a good option to get started selling and promoting online.

Promote Paintings

The struggling artist is a commonplace term that people use to describe almost every artist. The reason these artist struggles is not for lack of talent, but because they lack exposure and opportunity. If an artist can learn to promote paintings, this can greatly increase exposure and lead to better opportunity.

Instructions

1. Attend as many workshops and conferences as possible. These places are networking opportunities that allow you to establish relationships with other people in the art world. The more people you meet the better the ability to promote one's paintings. Be sure to have promotional materials you can share with these contacts.

2. Take digital pictures of your artwork and transfer them to a computer. This way you can use the images of your artwork on websites, business cards and promotional materials.

3. Construct a website to promote your paintings. Either you can pay someone to make website for you, or you can build one yourself. There are hosting sites that will allow you to upload images of your paintings to their site and even construct a website at no charge. There are also sites that charge a fee but offer better promotional utilities. See the Resources section below for more information.

4. Burn the images of your painting to a compact disk. A compact disk is an easy and inexpensive way to distribute images of your paintings to a large number of people. This does not replace the bound art portfolio but it gives the option of handing the CDs out to people interested in your art.

5. Compile an email list of people you meet that are interested in your art and email them updates about future shows or gallery openings. Every time you meet someone that shows an interest in your painting, be sure to get an email address and ask the person if you can add the address to your email list.

6. Advertise your paintings, gallery openings and contact information in trade show magazines and their websites. To effectively promote your paintings, you need to make sure people in the industry are aware of your work.

Promote My Gospel Cd Online To Be Noticed

The internet offers numerous opportunities for gospel CD promotion.

Major recording contracts usually come with big promotional budgets to pay for mass advertising exposure. This level of promotion usually is out of reach for an independent recording artist. For most, the costs involved in financing a radio promotional campaign or buying glossy magazine advertising are not an option. Fortunately, the Internet offers numerous low-budget opportunities for artists looking to promote their recordings.

Instructions

1. Have your gospel CD mastered by a professional to ensure your sound will be competitive with other gospel CDs in the marketplace. Mastering will provide consistent volume levels across all tracks and give your songs smooth fades. EQ and effects processing will give your CD a professional polish and sheen.

2. Pay for the services of a graphic designer to create professional-looking artwork for your CD package as many casual browsers will judge your CD by its appearance. Consider using a CD manufacturer with an in-house designer when ordering your CDs to eliminate the possibility of sending incorrectly formatted art files or artwork that doesn't exactly fit the manufacturer's templates.

3. Sign up with online retailers that specialize in independent releases. "CD Baby" and "Tunecore" are two of the biggest names in the field as of 2011, and although there is a listing fee, the website traffic is huge. Your CD will have its own web page with CD artwork, liner notes and sound clips of your choosing. You'll also be able to categorize your listing so that when visitors search for "gospel "music, your CD will be part of the search engine results.

4. Send query e-mails to online music magazines and blogs that review music in your genre, and ask if you can submit your CD for review. Keep a detailed record of all submissions and monitor the websites in case your CD is reviewed. Bookmark all reviews and use key sentences as quotes or testimonials to further promote your CD.

5. Create a website devoted to your CD release. Feature your CD artwork prominently on the home page and link it to your "CD Baby" or "Tunecore" CD listing so that you can quickly transform interested listeners into potential buyers. Add links to all of your online reviews and add one or two of the best testimonial quotes on the home page alongside your CD.

6. Research public radio stations that feature gospel programming and ask for submission guidelines. Check station playlists and make a note of any airplay. Add links to these playlists on your website so that visitors can see which stations are playing you. Include this information in future submission queries to other radio stations.

7. Upload your music to an online podcast directory. Once there, podcasters will be able to use your music in their podcasts, giving you valuable exposure.

8. Contact other artists in your genre and ask them to exchange website links. When you hear good music, be vocal about it on your website and on online forums.

Keep Airbrush Tatoos From Smearing

Airbrush tattoos are applied using an airbrush tool and a stencil. The stencil is applied to the skin and one or more layers of ink is then sprayed onto the stencil to create a design. This temporary form of body art will last several days if it is properly cared for. One of the problems with this type of art is the danger of smearing, since the paint can run when wet. Using proper aftercare techniques will keep your temporary airbrush tattoo from smearing for days, allowing you to enjoy the design longer.

Instructions

1. Allow the tattoo to dry fully before touching. Contact with the fresh design can cause the ink to smear. Avoid touching with clothing and contact with water, sunscreen or moisturizer.

2. Set the tattoo using cornstarch, baby powder or cosmetic sealant powder. Apply a small sprinkling of powder to a wide cosmetic brush and gently dust the fully dried airbrush tattoo.

3. Cover the tattoo loosely with a waterproof wrap or plastic wrap when in contact with water. Blot dry immediately with paper towels after contact with water and reapply setting powder or sealant.

4. Avoid sleeping on the tattoo or tight clothing contacting the area. The friction from fabric will be enough to smear your tattoo.

Paint Graphics On A Guitar

Customize your guitar with graphics.

You don't need to strip your guitar to paint graphics on it. You can just tape off the pickups, hardware and neck, lightly sand the face and begin planning your graphics. Download templates or designs, cut them out and transfer the design to the guitar body. Spray paint over the design, remove the template and finish by adding a clear coat of lacquer to seal and permanently bond the graphics to the guitar body. Get creative, and in one afternoon, you can create a masterpiece on your guitar body.

Instructions

1. Get the lacquer and the graphics. Turn on your computer and order the lacquer from a reputable guitar supply company like Stewart-MacDonald. Download graphics of your choice and print them out on white paper. Cut the graphics out with scissors.

2. Lay the guitar out on a flat surface in a well-ventilated area. Take off the strings. Using the Phillips screwdriver take off the pickguard. Pull off the volume and control knobs. Tape over the pickups, bridge, tailpiece and any metal hardware that is exposed. Tape over the neck.

3. Sand the exposed surface of the guitar lightly with 400-grit sandpaper. Lay your graphics out on the guitar body. Position them where you want. Make sure everything fits. Tape the graphic template to the guitar body, making sure that it is tight against the guitar body.

4. Spray over the graphic template and guitar body with the tinted lacquer. Wait 15 minutes and spray it again. Wait 24 hours for the paint to dry. Remove the graphic template.

5. Lightly sand the guitar body and graphic design with 400-grit sandpaper. Spray the guitar body and over the graphic with clear lacquer. Wait 15 minutes. Spray again. Wait 24 hours.

6. Wipe along the edge of the guitar with fine bronze wool to remove any residual over-spray. Remove the tape from the pickups, neck and hardware. Put the control knobs back on and the pickgaurd. Put new strings on.

Practice Diction For Vocal Exercise

Practice Diction for Vocal Exercise

Add diction practice to your daily vocal workouts. Remember that your goal is not to conjure up an accent but to vocalize the lyrics you're singing as distinctly as possible. As an added boost to your training, record your diction practice sessions and listen to the tape the following day. Doing so allows you to track your progress over time.

Instructions

1. Begin with the "S" words. Say the sentence, "Six thick thistle sticks" slowly. Then sing the sentence, exaggerating the "s" in each.

2. Move on to the "B" and "D" words. Sing any words beginning with each letter. Exaggerate your lip movement for the "B" words and bringing your teeth together to form the "D" words.

3. Switch to words beginning with "H" and "J." Pull the breath heavily from your stomach to form the "H" words. Push together your lips slowly and deliberately when forming "J."

4. Start with "K," "Q" and "L" words. Make the "K" and "Q" sounds as sharply as possible, projecting your breath. Let your tongue linger for a few seconds behind your upper teeth before completing the consonant.

5. Practice the "P" words by sharply forcing your breath against the inside of your lips before pronouncing each letter. For "T" words, make sure your top and bottom teeth are closely together before allowing your tongue to push up against the top teeth when making the sound.

6. Spend extra time on the "R" and "V" words. Exaggerate protruding your upper lip while singing any "R" words. Form the "V" words by pressing your upper teeth firmly and slowly against your bottom lip before producing any sound.

7. Finish diction practice by combining vowels and consonants into simple words. Pair each consonant with all five vowels. Examples are, "sa, se, si, so, su." Sing these words slowly as you carefully create each consonant sound while holding each vowel sound for 30 seconds.

Promote A House Painting Business

There is a lot of demand for house painting services. Homeowners, remodeling contractors, real estate agents, real estate investors and apartment management services all need the skills of an experienced painter from time to time. The key to success is knowing promote your house painting business so that others can find you.

Instructions

1. Partner with established building contractors, home investors and real estate agents. Ask these contacts to refer your services whenever clients need to hire painters, and to outsource your painting services when they perform big remodeling jobs that might include painting services.

2. Advertise your services in the wanted section of your local newspaper to promote your house painting business. Advertise your house painting services on Craig's List in your area for free. Submit an advertisement to your local Yellow Pages to promote your house painting business so that consumers can easily find you.

3. Distribute fliers and business cards to local home improvement and hardware stores to promote your house painting business.

4. Ask current clients if you can post a company sign in their yard as you paint their home's exterior, and see if they will allow you to leave it there for a couple weeks after you complete the job. Offer a promotional discount to those who allow you to advertise your business this way.

Paint A Road On A Wall

Notice how the road narrows as it moves toward the horizon.

The French word trompe l'oeil means to trick the eye. It employs a three-dimensional method of painting to create a sense of reality. It goes back to the Romans who painted their walls to simulate columns, niches and open windows with beautiful landscapes. Modern-day homeowners often pay artists to paint common architectural features in their homes such as windows, doors, archways, columns, landscapes and seascapes. To paint a road on the wall, you'll need to "trick the eye."

Instructions

1. To paint a road on a wall, you first need to learn a little about one-point perspective. In the photo above, the parallel lines of the road meet in the distance. The road seems to disappear. The spot where the lines meet is called the vanishing point. Imagine a horizontal line going from left to right at the vanishing point. This horizontal line represents the horizon. The horizon, where land and sky or ocean and sky meet, lands at eye level.

2. Draw the horizon line on your wall with a pencil. You may put the horizon line at any level on the wall. It's a representation of eye level. Next, mark the spot where you want the vanishing point. It doesn't need to be as you look straight ahead. You can put it at any distance off to the right or left. If you put it off to the left, for example, you could draw a curved road or a road starting in the right corner and traveling in a straight line to the vanishing point.

3. To give the illusion of an actual road, the parallel lines of the road will be wider in the foreground and narrowing as the two lines travel to the vanishing point in the horizon. Practice penciling in these lines on your wall. If you don't like the look, erase and try again until you get it like you want.

4. When you finish drawing the road on your wall, you're ready to paint it. Think about how you want the road to look. A paved road would be gray to black in color. A dirt road could be dark brown, reddish brown or light brown. You could also paint the road in a color that doesn't represent realistic painting, such as purple or yellow.

5. The easiest way to paint the road is with latex paint. Dip the paintbrush in the paint and, using long, broad strokes, paint in the direction that the road travels. If you want the road to be paved, paint a yellow or white line down the center.

Fix The Body Rust In Car Panels

Rust on a car is like cancer. It will spread and eventually cause structural damage that cannot be repaired. Even a small amount of rust can spread under the paint, revealing nothing until the paint starts to bubble up with rust. A severely damaged, rusted car panel must be replaced. For smaller amounts of rust, the panels can be repaired to look like new again.

Instructions

1. Use a grinder on the rusted area to remove the paint. Once the paint is removed down to the bare metal, you can see how much damage is present. Use the grinder to remove all surface rust on the car panel.

2. Make sure the panel is structurally sound by pressing on it everywhere rust was present. If it gives, the rust has completely damaged the panel and it must be replaced. If the rust has created holes larger than the size of a nickel, the panel should be replaced. If the rust was just on the surface or created pitted areas, once it is grinded away the panel can be repaired.

3. Apply a thin coat of auto body filler over the areas that had rust or pitted areas. Make sure the filler fills in and covers all uneven or rough areas. Allow an hour for the filler to completely dry.

4. Sand the filler smooth and level with the surface of the car by using 120-grit sandpaper and a dual action sander or block sander. The dual action sander requires an air compressor and air hose, but makes sanding much easier.

5. Spray two thin coats of primer over the repaired area. Allow each coat 10 minutes to dry. Wait one hour after application of the second coat before sanding. Sand the primer lightly using 300-grit sandpaper.

6. Wipe the area down with wax and grease remover and a microfiber cloth. This removes any dust particles and oil from fingerprints that may cause imperfections in the paint.

7. Apply three to five thin coats of automotive paint, allowing each coat 10 minutes to dry before applying the next. Use steady, even strokes, holding the paint applicator about 10 inches from the surface. Wait a few hours for the paint to dry and then apply three or four coats of clear coat paint, using the same methods you did with the paint. Allow the panel to dry for a full day.

Proceed When Going Over The Boss'S Head

Proceed When Going Over the Boss's Head

Ideally, the boss is the person you turn to when you have a dilemma. When they are the problem, it's a different story. Traditional advice says going over your supervisor's head is never an option. Realistically, it may be necessary. When going over your boss' head is inevitable, proceed carefully. Exhaust every opportunity to resolve the matter.

Instructions

1. Determine if the issue is serious enough to warrant this action. There are crucial situations that make it necessary to proceed over the boss' head; when the company is at risk; supervisor is engaged in unethical or illegal activity; or the boss exhibits harassing behavior.

2. Attempt to resolve the problem by addressing the matter with the boss directly and in a variety of ways. Have an optimistic attitude, and evaluate your options before you go forward with any action.

3. Consider whether it's in the best interest of the company to proceed. Gather evidence and facts to support your case. Collect all relevant email and correspondence with your boss. Use information that shows how the issue transpired and how you tried to solve the problem.

4. Go to your Human Resources department to find out the policies that are in place.

Make a final decision whether the matter dictates going to the boss' immediate supervisor.

Get The Full View Of A Photo In Paint

Although it is primarily a painting application, Windows Paint allows users to view photos just as well as any other free program like Photo Viewer and Windows Live Photo Gallery. As of 2011, several improvements have been added to this old program to make it better and easier to use for both viewing and editing, but the essential features are the same no matter which version of Windows you use. Paint supports common file formats including JPEG, Bitmap, ICO, GIF, TIFF and PNG.

Instructions

1. Launch Windows Paint from the "Start" menu. Click the arrow above the Paint ribbon and select "Open."

2. Open the folder containing the photo. Select the photo and click "Open." Paint will display the photo in default view.

3. Click the "View" tab on the Paint ribbon. Click "Full screen" in the "Display" group. Paint will display the image in full view, against a black background.

4. Press "Esc" on the keyboard when you want to return to normal view.

Print Thankyou Notes

Thank-you notes can be as creative as you desire.

After receiving gifts at a wedding, a shower or for a birthday, you will want to send thank-you notes. Thank-you notes can be quite pricey and impersonal, so you may want to make your own. With a computer, Microsoft Word 2007 and a color printer, you can print your own thank-you notes quickly and at half the cost of store-bought notes.

Instructions

1. Set up the page size in Microsoft Word for 8 1/2 inches by 11 inches. Insert a cell into the page with two columns and two rows. This will establish four thank-you cards per page.

2. Hold the cursor area down on the bottom right corner of the cells, and gradually stretch the entire cell unit across the page to the bottom right corner. This will create four cell spaces that measure 3 1/4-inches wide by 4 1/2 inches tall inside a page with 1-inch borders.

3. Insert "Thank You" in 36-point font centered across the top of each cell space. Double space down, and write a brief thank-you note inside each cell space. Personalize these cards each person, or write a similar message for everyone.

4. Change the color of the font, or add a small image to each thank-you note.

5. Click on the "Print" option from the top left-hand drop-down menu. A box will pop up, prompting you to select a printer.

6. Click on the "Properties" button to the right of the selected printer name. Click the tab in the pop-up box that reads "Paper/Quality," and set the Print Quality to Maximum dpi. This will provide the best print quality for the notes, which is especially important if they contain images.

7. Insert matte photo paper into the printer. This is a great option for printed notes because it is a much thicker paper than standard printing paper, and it is not too glossy.

8. Click "OK" in the pop-up box and "OK" in the "Print" box. The note cards will start to print, four per page. The print process may be slow due to the maximum dpi setting.

9. Cut out each note along the black cell lines. This is an important step, so take your time, and never double up papers as this can result in cutting off the lines. Mail the notes in 4-inch-by-6-inch envelopes.

Prime & Paint A Car For Candyapple Red Paint

Painting a car can improve the value and also add a personal touch to the vehicle. When you undertake this project you will have to also take several things into consideration. The expenditure on the equipment can be expensive and the techniques will have to be practiced before applying paint to the car. If you are willing to undertake the investment, practice painting a car, and have the right equipment, this can become a way to make extra income.

Instructions

1. Tape off the car for painting. This is done in a couple of ways. Large surface areas such as the windshield, windows, light and bumpers should be taped off with the butcher's paper. To do this simply run the masking tape halfway across the top of the paper. Place this across the very top of the windshield. Tape the other three sides to the windshield. Tape off the trim. Follow this same process for all of the windows. To tape the lights cut a section of paper in the general shape of the light and attach to the light and tape off. Put the wheel cover on over the tires. They will fit over most tires.

2. Taping trim and smaller sections will require using only tape. If you are taping trim use the masking tape and cover the trim strip only. Try to tuck the tape behind the trim. Tape the door handles with the masking tape by covering them completely. Make sure that only the areas you want painted are visible. Check a couple of times in case you missed something.

3. Put on the gas mask. Pour the primer into the paint-gun canister. Hook the paint gun onto the canister and then attach it to the airline for the compressor. Turn on the compressor. Spray the car in even long strokes going back and forth using short bursts from the gun. This is done by pulling and releasing the trigger. This will eliminate the primer from running or dripping. Allow to dry for 24 to 48 hours depending on the humidity. Clean the paint canister by rinsing with water. Allow to dry. Clean the gun portion by holding the trigger until it is blowing clear air.

4. Put on the gas mask. Fill the canister with the paint. Paint the car with the paint gun. Start from the top of the car and work your way down using short bursts of paint and moving the gun in a straight line. Take your time. Too little is better than too much since it will run. Continue this process until the entire car is painted. Clean the gun and canister the same way you did in Step 3. Allow the car to dry for 24 to 48 hours depending on humidity.

5. Remove the tape after the car has dried. It should not be tacky. The paint should feel smooth to the touch. Be very careful when removing the tape. Do not rush, because this will cause you to remove some of the paint you just applied.

6. Buff the car with a car-buffing pad. This will bring out a deeper shine in the paint. Do not apply too much pressure because this will damage the fresh paint.

7. Wax the car when you are finished buffing. Remove the wax with a soft lint free cloth. Apply a second coat of wax and remove it. You might wish to add a third coat if you want, but it is not necessary.

Prime Sand & Get Rust Off Your Car

Painting your car involves more than spraying some paint over the surface. It begins with removing any rust from the metal body, sanding, priming and cleaning the surface. Without this process, even high-quality paint won't look good on your car. You can do all of these steps yourself in just a few hours using materials found an at auto parts store. This process could cost several hundred dollars if you take your car to a paint and body shop, and that doesn't include the paint.

Instructions

1. Sand the rusted areas with 360-grit sandpaper. Hold the sandpaper flat against the surface and sand until the rust is gone. The surface underneath the rust will still be brown, but the flakes of rust will be gone.

2. Place masking tape and paper around each area that you sanded, so the primer will cover the rusted and sanded areas, but the surrounding surfaces are protected from overspray.

3. Spray the sanded areas with rust converter spray. Hold the can 10 inches from the surface and spray left and right, not up and down. Let the first coat dry for 10 minutes. Spray a second coat and let it dry for 20 minutes. The rust converter turns black as it dries.

4. Sand the dried rust converter with 600-grit sandpaper. The rust converter acts as a sandable primer. It also converts any remaining rust to a primer so it can't spread further.

5. Wipe the area with wax-and-grease remover on a microfiber towel to remove grease from fingerprints, and to prepare the area for paint.

Prime A Canvas For Oil Painting

Artist studio

Canvas is a medium- to rough-surface fabric. When stretched, the weave of the fabric is opened by the pulling and tightening process. This adds a textural quality to raw canvas. To create a better surface for painting in oils, it is common practice to prime the canvas to improve the quality of the finish. Many pre-made canvases come with primer already applied. This is a thin coat that may improve the canvas over its raw state, however, it may not improve it enough for the painter. To create a better surface, a layer or two of gesso should be applied. Gesso is a thick, white paste-like product made of gypsum (or plaster of Paris) and a glue.

Instructions

Priming A Canvas For Oil Painting

1. Cover the project table with the drop cloth before placing the canvas on the table. This will not only protect the table, but will allow all sides of the canvas to be easily accessed.

2. Shake the gesso well to mix. In the empty jar, mix the acrylic gloss medium with water at a ratio of 50/50. Add gesso to the medium mixture until a smooth consistency is obtained. Stir or shake well.

3. Paint the canvas using the 2-inch or wider brush. Gesso dries fast, so work quickly. Place the lid on the mixture jar immediately to 'save' it and wash out the brush. If the brush isn't washed immediately, it will harden with the plaster and the glue and become useless.

4. Lightly sand the canvas to remove any streaky spots and irregularities. Dust or clean the surface with a towel or a clean rag. Make sure to remove all dust so it cannot get back onto the canvas.

5. Paint the canvas with the gesso mixture a second time. This coat should go on smoother than the first. This also should provide a noticeably better surface for painting. Allow the gesso to dry completely and again, wash out the gesso brush. Seal the jars well so that the gesso mixtures will keep. If gesso is thinned with water, it cracks on the canvas.

6. Select the undercoat or toner for the painting. Many portrait painters pre-tone canvases so that the undertone of the canvas is not white. With portraits, the undertone may typically be red or green. Your painting may need a different color. Use acrylic paint in the color best suited for the finished work and tone the canvas with the paint. This adds an additional prime and tone to the canvas to prepare it for the actual painting. Be sure to tone the sides as well.

Paint Faces With Oil Pastels

Painting faces with oil pastels is difficult but can be mastered if you use simple flesh colors with shadow. The first step is to draw the face, eyes mouth and hair, and then mix your paints. To make flesh color from oil pastels, mix ocher and a lot of white. You should also use an under painting of yellow or red to give a real flesh color look to your painting. Faces have many colors in them like pink, rose, red and blue. Study color photographs and real life faces to see the different colors and tones and expand your own pallet.

Instructions

1. Paint your under painting. Paint over shaded areas of your drawing with a darker red color, and the lighter areas with yellow. The under painting is done with a watery mixture of paint and a lot of oil base or liquin.

2. Mix your flesh tone and set it aside. Then take some of it and mix it with black, blue or red for more shaded areas. Then paint in the shaded areas around the chin, under the eyes, on the forehead and around the nose. Paint from dark to light, using a steadily lighter mix of flesh tone and black for the shade.

3. Work the painting until you are painting a full flesh tone. Paint the fleshy areas on the cheeks, forehead and nose, blending slightly with the shaded areas. Flesh areas directly in the light (the lightest areas) are nearly white, and shaded areas have a lot of blue, and gray in them, but are not totally dark.

4. Paint in the eyes using a white color mixed with a little blue or gray. Paint in the pupils using ocher or blue, and add eyelashes with a darker color. Then paint the lips, mixing red with your flesh color and then adding black or blue for the shaded areas. Paint these in the same method you painted the rounded shaded areas.

5. Add the hair. Using a mixture of brown and black, paint in the shaded areas and then work to the lighter areas by adding white. You can paint the hair anyway you like.

6. Add highlights to your face on the nose, cheekbones and forehead, anywhere the light strikes head on. Use a very light flesh color with a lot of white for this and paint on the highlights liberally. This gives your face a three-dimensional look.

Make Varnish For Painting

Varnish is used in oil painting to protect the colors.

Varnish is a material that is used in oil painting to unify the sheen of the painting and protect the colors. There are two types of varnish: Damar varnish, which is used when the painting is finished, and retouch varnish, which is a diluted form of Damar and may be used at different stages during the painting process. Make your own varnish using Damar resin, which is obtained from Damar pines from East Asia and India.

Instructions

1. Buy Damar resin from an art store. There are two varieties available: Singapore and Batavia. Both are suitable for making varnish for oil painting, but Batavia is more expensive.

2. Damar resin comes in various sizes, but most commonly you'll find larger crystals. Wrap the crystals in tin foil and break them in smaller parts using a hammer. Smaller parts dissolve faster in turpentine.

3. Mix one part turpentine and one part Damar resin in a glass bottle or jar and seal it. Shake the mixture well. Keep the bottle at room temperature.

4. Stir the bottle a few times per day until the Damar crystals dissolve in turpentine. When there are no Damar crystals left in the mixture, the concentrated Damar vanish is ready. The crystals may need 24 to 48 hours to dissolve, depending on the thickness and size of the crystals.

5. Strain the varnish through a piece of gauze, cheesecloth or a loose-woven piece of cloth to remove all sediment and obtain clean varnish. The sediment may affect the colors in the painting.

6. Make Damar varnish by adding one part concentrated varnish and one part turpentine.

7. Make retouch varnish by adding three parts turpentine to the concentrated Damar varnish.

Prevent Stage Fright

There are lots of ways to combat stage fright.

Stage fright is a common problem for actors, singers and entertainers. You do not have to be a professional actor to suffer from stage fright. Giving a presentation at work or college can cause similar feelings. Although some nerves are helpful because they supply the adrenaline needed to perform at your best, extreme nervousness causes problems. People with stage fright can suffer a variety of symptoms, such as sweating palms, feeling hot, a churning stomach and stuttering. However, with a few simple steps, it is possible to keep your stage fright under control.

Instructions

1. Rehearse your act, presentation or song thoroughly. Feelings of stage fright worsen when you feel underprepared. Feeling prepared gives you more confidence in your abilities. It also allows you to anticipate any possible problems and how you will deal with them, leaving you feeling in more control.

2. Believe in yourself. It sounds simple, but a little self-belief goes a long way. Remind yourself of previous performances that have been successful, and envision yourself doing the same again. Think positively, and you will perform well. Thinking negatively becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy and results in a poor performance.

3. Take deep breaths. When you feel stage fright, your breathing becomes shallow and quick. Take slow, deep breaths to regain control of your performance and focus.

4. Find a way to help you relax. Some actors find soothing aromatherapy scents such as lavender help them feel calm. Alternatively, spend a few minutes practicing yoga to help you focus and concentrate on your performance. Different things work for different performers. Try new methods of relaxation and stick to what works for you the best.

5. Imagine the audience naked. A lot of performers believe this makes the audience less intimidating. If you feel this might be too distracting but find it difficult to look at the audience, look at the tops of their heads or the back of a large theater instead. This way you still appear to be engaging with your audience without looking directly at them.

6. Go for it. Sometimes, just swallowing your fears and going for it is the way to beat stage fright. The more successful performances you have and the more experienced you become, the better you should be able to deal with your stage fright.

Prevent Paint Bleeding Through Stencils

Use a stencil adhesive for flawless results.

When inexperienced amateurs attempt to paint with stencils, the paint often bleeds under and through, causing damage to underlying surfaces. Combat this problem by using impermeable stencils made of plastic or vinyl. Use a special low-tack adhesive, specifically designed for stencils, or you may end up with flawed results. Apply the paint in a specific manner, or the finish may pool and sag.

Instructions

1. Place the vinyl or plastic stencil facedown on a strip of cardboard.

2. Apply stencil spray adhesive to the back of the stencil.

3. Affix the stencil to the area where you want the letter, shape or number to appear. Apply painter's tape to the edges of the stencil for extra security.

4. Coat the exposed letter, shape or number within the stencil with spray paint. Maintain an 8-inch distance between the exposed area and the spray nozzle as you apply. Wait one hour before removing the stencil.

Prevent Oil From Splattering

Cooking with oil can easily make a mess of your kitchen. As you saute mushrooms or deep fry chicken, you may notice that a fine mist of oil quickly covers your stove and cabinets. This fine mist makes a big mess. Luckily, there are a few tricks you can use to keep oil from splattering all over your kitchen.

Instructions

1. Remove excess moisture. Water and oil simply do not mix. When you place frozen foods into a deep fryer, the oil will immediately start splattering. To help prevent this, take a bit of time to remove excess ice crystal from the food. If you place the food on the counter, while the deep fryer heats up, the ice crystals will fall away from the food.

2. Sprinkle a bit of salt on the oil. When sauteing meats and vegetables, add a bit of salt to the cooking oil. The salt will quickly control any splattering that may be taking place as the moisture escapes from the food.

3. Use a deep pan. A deep pan helps contain the splattering so that it doesn't get all over your kitchen. This technique is extremely useful when frying bacon or other foods that could become over seasoned if you used salt.

4. Control the heat. Sometimes splattering takes place simply because the heat is too high. Not everything needs to be cooked on high heat. If the oil is splattering too much, adjust the heat.

5. Purchase a splatter guard. If all else fails, a splatter guard will keep your kitchen clean. Some fatty foods are going to splatter no matter what you do. A splatter guard helps make sure that the mess stays in the pan and not on your stove and counter top.

Preserve Silk Paintings With Steam

Preserve Silk Paintings With Steam

Once you have finished your silk painting, you probably want to preserve your artwork. Here are is a simple methord you can employ with items that already may be in your home.

Instructions

1. Choose the type of steamer you want to use. Stove top steamers are available to use on gas or electric stove tops or you can choose an electric steamer. Both achieve the same results.

2. Lay down 3 layers of newsprint measuring 2 inches larger than your silk on all sides.

3. Put your silk on the newsprint making sure there are no wrinkles.

4. Place another 3 layers of newsprint on top of your silk piece.

5. Use a pole or a cardboard tube to roll the silk and newsprint together. Fold the ends in towards the center of the roll, and then secure it with masking tape.

6. Follow the instructions on your steamer to add water. Insert the rolled silk and newsprint into the steamer.

7. Steam for 1 to 3 hours, depending on the size and quantity of the silk inserted.

Preserve Old Pictures

Old pictures need proper storage to last.

Knowing the proper way to preserve old pictures ensures that future generations will enjoy these mementos---and memories. Too many times, photographs aren't stores properly, so they don't stand the test of time. The elements will take a toll on old pictures if proper precautions aren't taken, so follow these simple steps to preserve old pictures for many years to come.

Instructions

Instructions

1. Scan the old pictures onto a computer---and put them on a memory stick. This is the most important step because it guarantees there will always be a copy, no matter what happens to the original picture.

2. Determine what kind of paper or cardboard the picture is printed on, since certain materials have high acidity and can break down quickly. A black light will show how acidic a paper is; the brighter the paper glows, the more acidic it is. Unfortunately, most old paper is acidic because it was made from cotton fiber or wood pulp fibers, which break down over time---ultimately causing a reaction that will "yellow" the pictures. A variety of sprays are available to neutralize these acids.

3. Slide the pictures into plastic sleeves made out of polypropylene or polyester, since they're safe for long-term storage. These sleeves will protect the pictures from dirt and dust; keep them from bending, creasing and rubbing against each other; and slow down the process of yellowing.

4. Place the old pictures in an archival storage box. Use a light-free box, and separate the pictures with acid-free tissue to protect them from fading caused by exposure to natural light and moisture.

5. Store the pictures in a room with consistent moisture and temperature levels. Pictures degrade at a faster rate if it's too hot or cold or too humid or dry, so basements or attics---the usual place for storing things---aren't usually safe for old pictures.

Preserve Old Oil Paintings

Oil paintings should not be displayed in rooms with a fireplace.

The thrill of owning an original oil painting can be dampened if damage starts to occur. The best way to preserve an oil painting is to be proactive and ensure that the painting is displayed in the right conditions. While most homes are not climate-controlled like a museum, there are steps you can take at home to help control the environment of the painting. Following these steps will help you preserve your oil painting for future generations to enjoy.

Instructions

1. Hang your oil paintings out of direct sunlight. The Peter Dianni website points out that hanging oil paintings in direct sunlight will cause oil colors to become dull and will eventually cause the paint to crack and flake. The best light for oil paintings is diffused or incandescent light.

2. Control the temperature and humidity of the room the painting is displayed in. Do not hang oil paintings near air conditioners, heaters, vents or humidifiers. Avoid any temperature or humidity extremes, as these can be very damaging to oil paintings. The Conservator Registry website states that "if the relative humidity keeps on changing, the painting will expand and contract repeatedly; the structure will become stressed and begin to fall apart." Oil paintings should not be hung near live plants, as this will cause stains on the frame and painting and can introduce insects that will damage the painting.

3. Clean the oil painting only when needed and only when the cleaning needed is minor. Use a clean, soft cosmetic brush to occasionally dust the painting as needed. If there are areas on the painting that are cracking and peeling, dusting should not be attempted. Do not bend or flex the canvas when dusting or you will cause cracks in the paint. For minor surface cleaning, use distilled water to slightly dampen a cotton swab to remove minor surface dirt. Use a dabbing motion as opposed to a dragging motion. For heavily soiled oil paintings, it is best to have a professional clean it.

4. Remove the painting from its frame and lay it flat on a table. Vacuum the back of the canvas with a vacuum cleaner attachment to remove dust and dirt. Applying a cover to the back of the oil painting can help preserve it and keep dust and dirt from penetrating the canvas.

Preserve Flaking Paint

You can remedy flaking paint without performing a whole new paint job.

Peeling paint is a common problem that occurs to the interior and exterior of homes, usually caused by moisture or humidity. Seeing your paint peel can be rather discouraging as painting a room, ceiling, piece of furniture or floor is often labor intensive; peeling paint can make you feel as if all your hard work was for nothing. Luckily if your paint begins to peel, you can remedy the damage without engaging in an all new paint job.

Instructions

1. Put on a dust mask covering your nose and mouth. Place a disposable drop cloth across your work area. Using a paint scraper, remove all the loose paint in all the heavily peeling areas.

2. Apply a patching compound to the areas that you just scraped with your drywall knife. This will allow you to recreate a smooth surface. Once the first coat has dried, apply a second coat. Once the second coat has dried, apply a final coat.

3. Sand the areas that you've applied the patching compound to with an electric sander that has a dust collection bag. This way you can sand the areas in a dust-free fashion. Run a feather duster vigorously across the areas you just sanded when finished.

4. Apply a coat of a moisture-resistant, stain-blocking primer with a brush or paint roller. Once the primer has dried, apply several coats of moisture-resistant paint that matches the color of the original, surrounding paint.

5. Fold up your disposable drop cloth when finished and throw it away.

Mount Masonite

Masonite is also used as a canvas for painting.

Hardboard, or Masonite, is a thin, dense board made of wood fibers bound together to add uniformity and strength to the panel. It is favored by artists for mounting work because its thinness allows it to be used with traditional mats and frames and its stiffness makes it an ideal mounting surface for presenting artwork. Depending on whether dry or wet mounting is chosen for the image, the process to mount Masonite can either be simple or complex and time consuming.

Instructions

Dry Mount

1. Use a ruler and pencil to make reference marks on the Masonite for where the corners of the photograph or drawing needs to fall to be centered on the board.

2. Cover the area of the Masonite that will be outside the reference marks with painter's tape. This prevents the spray adhesive from coating the edges of the board and potentially attracting dust and other airborne debris to the surface.

3. Hold the can of spray adhesive 10-12 inches from the board at a 45-degree angle. Coat the exposed Masonite with an even layer of adhesive. Move the can back and forth across the surface while spraying to ensure even coverage.

4. Line up the bottom edge of the image with the bottom reference marks on the board. Lay the drawing down onto the board, image side up, slowly. Make sure the image lines up with the reference marks. If it goes off line, peel the image up and try again.

5. Smooth the image with a brayer, rolling it from the center out to the edges. Allow the mounted image one hour to dry. Peel off the painter's tape. Spray the entire board with a light, even coating of spray fixative to seal the image to the board.

Wet Mount

6. Cut the Masonite with a table saw so the board is 1 inch larger then the size of the image to be mounted.

7. Prime the board by painting a thin layer of gesso over the smooth side of the board. Wait for the gesso to dry completely; the time depends on the humidity in the room.

8. With a ruler and pencil, measure in from the edges of the board and make reference marks for where the corners of the image must be placed in order for the image to be centered on the board. Place the board next to a clean sheet of blank newsprint (not a newspaper).

9. Fill a tray with water and submerge the image. Wait one minute and transfer the image from the tray to the newsprint. Lay the image face down on the paper.

10. Dip a sponge in the tray of water and wring the sponge to remove excess water. The sponge should be damp but not saturated. Wipe the back of the image with the sponge and the gessoed side of the Masonite to dampen the surface.

11. Paint the back of the image and the front of the Masonite with a thin coat of acrylic gel.

12. Carefully lift the picture up by the corners, line up the bottom edges with the bottom reference marks on the board and lay the picture, face up, in position. Make sure the picture is lined up with the marks. If it is not, peel the picture up and redo the placement. Use caution because wet paper is more prone to tear then dry paper.

13. Roll the picture with a brayer to smooth any wrinkles and remove any air bubbles. Work from the center out to the edges. Wipe any gel squeezed out from under the image off the board with a damp paper towel.

14. Coat the image and board with a thin, even layer of acrylic matte varnish. Paint in one direction only, either horizontally or vertically. Let the matte finish dry and apply another layer, working in the perpendicular direction to the first. If the first layer was painted vertically, the second should be painted horizontally. Let the board and image dry for 48 hours.

Locate Talent

Finding the best talent for a role can take time, effort.

The term "talent" is used in the entertainment industry to describe performers who work in plays, movies and television shows. Trained actors, extras, dancers and stunt performers are usually considered talent. Because of the number of qualified actors constantly present in the field, finding available talent is usually easy. However, directors of big-budget productions choose to audition many actors for main roles. Therefore, finding the right, local talent for your production may take a considerable amount of time and effort.

Instructions

1. Hire a casting director. Casting directors work to locate, audition and select talent for all of the roles in a production. Depending on your production budget, the casting director may search for talent nationwide or locally. Casting directors often record videos of each talent's audition, pick out talent who fit the roles the best, and present the videos to the director for final selections. Most established casting directors charge a fee for their work but often have access to a wide selection of performers.

2. Use a talent agency. Talent agencies have access to smaller talent pools but usually only charge clients if they hire one of their talent members. Hold a closed audition and send your casting call to as many agencies as possible. Agents will send talent from their agencies that best fit the roles in your casting breakdown, or list of roles.

3. Sign up for an online casting database, such as Mandy.com. Such websites allow student and professional filmmakers to post casting calls for free. Non-union talent visit such networking websites frequently in search of projects to build up their performance reels and resumes. Create an account and write a short introduction about your production and roles you are seeking to fill. Specify the specific location(s) at which you are planning to shoot to prevent talent submissions from outside your area. Talent will usually reply with resume information and their headshots via email.

4. Hold an open audition at a local theater or playhouse. Create buzz about your audition by posting casting fliers on bulletin boards at local acting schools, theaters and art colleges. Place an ad in your local newspaper's classifieds section alerting readers of your upcoming audition. Specify exact role descriptions and audition times as open casting calls often attract large numbers hopeful performers.

Prepare The Background On Canvas For Oil Painting

Brush sizes for oil painting depend on the area you need to cover.

Every artist who works with oil paints should know properly prime a cotton or linen canvas. Preparing the material with gesso prevents the oil in the paint from migrating into the canvas and creates a smooth surface on which to paint. While most mounted canvasses and canvas boards sold today are pre-primed, further treatment can provide a smoother painting surface. Creating an oil painting all the way from raw canvas to finished art piece may also offer a welcome new challenge for an experienced artist.

Instructions

1. Assemble your supplies. Gesso dries very quickly, so it is necessary to be prepared. You'll need a running water supply and plenty of paper towels nearby (cloth rags are fine, too). You want to work on a flat surface that is protected by newspaper for easy cleanup.

2. Stir the gesso in its container. Pour or scoop out roughly an inch or so of your gesso into the plastic cup. Since gesso--being plastic and water soluble--dries quickly, only pour out as much as you need. Then, close the container immediately. It is not advisable to pour used gesso back into the original container.

3. Add a small amount of water to the gesso in the cup, and mix thoroughly. Wipe off the stirrer immediately.

4. Waiting for the gesso to dry thoroughly between coats is sometimes the most challenging part of prepping a canvas.

Wet the nylon bristle brush under running water. Squeeze out the excess water, and dry the brush off with paper towels until the bristles are just moist. This prevents the gesso from sticking to the bristles. It also facilitates clean up afterward.

Dip your brush about 1/2-inch deep into the gesso mixture. Wipe the bristles off on the side of the cup to remove any excess gesso. Using short strokes, cover the canvas. You will need to use some force when brushing on the gesso.

Finish the first coat quickly by going over the entire canvas with long strokes, brushing in one direction (either up and down or side to side). You want to avoid leaving thicker lines of gesso, but you should not attempt to brush out the gesso once it begins to set up.

Wash your brush with soap and water immediately after use, otherwise the brush will be unusable in the future. Lay the cleaned brush flat with the bristles extending over the side of the table until completely dry.

5. Allow the canvas to dry for at least one hour, longer if temperatures are very cold or if it is very humid. When the gesso has dried thoroughly, sand the surface with the 120-grit sandpaper. Clean off any residue with a paper towel.

6. Apply a second coat of gesso. Although it is not necessary to dilute this application of gesso with water, you may if you wish. Apply the second coat employing broad strokes applied perpendicular to the direction of the first coat.

7. Sand the canvas once more after drying to remove any residue. The canvas should be smooth to the touch. If it is not as smooth as you would like, apply another coat of gesso following the previous steps. The final coat should be allowed to dry overnight.

Prepare Paneling Walls Before Painting

Use paint to change the look of wood paneling.

Wood paneling was once ubiquitous in mobile homes and eventually made the transition to be included in many improvement projects in traditional homes, as well. Painting is one of the quickest and cheapest ways to update wood paneling. Paneling will require specific preparation before painting begins, otherwise the oils, varnishes and stains used on the wood paneling may bleed through your fresh paint job. Sealing the wood paneling before applying paint will help ensure that your finished paint job will last a long time.

Instructions

1. Turn off the power to the room at the breaker box. Check to make sure there is no power going to the room by flicking on a wall switch or turning on a lamp.

2. Lay down newspaper along the bottom of the paneled walls to protect the floor from paint spatters.

3. Remove all pictures, wall decorations and nails from the walls. Run your hand over the walls to find any missed nails or screws.

4. Fill in any nail holes or cracks with caulking. Apply the caulking using the caulking gun, and then remove any excess with a putty knife.

5. Remove all the switch plates and outlet plates on the wall. Use the flat-head screwdriver to remove the small screws holding the plates in place.

6. Wipe the walls down with a mixture of ½ cup vinegar to 1 gallon of water. Let the walls dry completely.

7. Roughen the surface of the wood paneling with 100-grit sandpaper. Using a sanding block with an extension wand, attach the sandpaper to the sanding block and move the sanding block over the surface of the wood paneling in an up-and-down pattern.

8. Wipe down the walls with a rag slightly dampened with water to remove any sanding dust. Let the walls dry completely.

9. Cut in the primer/sealer, using a 2-inch paintbrush, where the walls meet the ceiling and where the walls meet the baseboard. Paint the rest of the wood paneling with the primer/sealer using a paint roller.

10. Allow the primer/sealer to dry according to the product's directions. The paneled walls are now ready for their finish coat of paint.

Prepare Old Window Glass For Painting

Old panes are used as surfaces for artworks and paintings.

Old windows make interesting "canvases" for painting. Artists use the panes to create paintings incorporating the wood from the panes as part of the artwork itself. The windows need cleaning prior to use as a painting surface. Some household cleaners have chemicals that might affect the paints making them impractical choices to clean and prep the windows for art. Common white vinegar presents a unique cleaner to get the panes prepped for painting.

Instructions

1. Mix one cup of white vinegar with a half gallon of water in the bucket. Wet down one of the chamois clothes in the solution.

2. Wipe down the glass surfaces thoroughly with the vinegar solution. Vinegar breaks down oils or sticky sediment on the glass.

3. Wet the cloth once more and give a second washing to the glass surface. Take a dry cloth and wipe down the glass window then set it to dry.

4. Hold the window up to a light and check for streaks or any areas missed with the cleaning. If present, wipe down with the vinegar solution and dry again.

Prepare For A Music Theater Audition

Auditions are required for the vast majority of music theater productions. Auditions for music theater will always include a singing section, and will often include acting and dance portions. Often, actors find auditions nerve-wracking and stressful, and spend weeks or months practicing to ensure a better performance. Whether you are auditioning for "Carousel" or "Cabaret," solid preparation will increase your chances of landing the role.

Instructions

1. Read the audition requirements. Auditions can vary drastically from sshow and theater to theater. It is paramount to read the instructions carefully. Some music theater auditions require you to prepare a song that is not from the musical. Some prefer that you perform a piece from the show. And, others leave the option open. For certain auditions, you will need to prepare a reading for the acting portion, or come ready for a dance tryout. Do you need a headshot or a resume, and must you schedule an audition appointment? Often, performers who do not arrive prepared are immediately disqualified in the minds of the directors. Theater depends on preparation and casting staff look for actors who understand that concept.

2. Choose an appropriate song. After you understand the audition requirements, find a song that will show off your voice to its best advantage. Ballads are favored for music theater auditions, as they allow the directors to evaluate your tone, style and ability to stay in tune. If the audition requirements are open, look for a song that is in the style of the musical you are auditioning for, but not from the musical itself. Be sure that you understand how many bars of music will be required and choose the section of the song that best demonstrates your talent.

3. Analyze the characters you will be portraying. This is true for the parts for which you are auditioning and for the character who sings your audition song. Understand their motivations and the emotions behind the songs and scenes. If possible, read the script before the audition to get a sense of context. For your song, decide what motions or expressions the character might use, and work them into your performance. Directors need to see an ability to act while you are singing as well as speaking.

4. Practice. The best way to prepare for a singing audition is to practice your song until it becomes second nature. Music theater auditions can be nerve-wracking, and you will perform better if you are not struggling to remember words or notes. Sing in the car, sing in the shower and sing while you're doing everyday chores.

5. Find a test audience. When your song is prepared, gather a small audience and perform it for them. If you have friends who have done theater, ask them to listen to you and give feedback. Ask for specifics: was your character believable? Was your song in tune, full, and did your voice fit the range? The more people you perform for, the more comfortable you will be at the actual audition.

6. Dress the part. Do not come in costume, but rather a neat outfit that subtly suggests the character you are auditioning for. Directors are looking for a person they can genuinely see in a role, and you can subtly help that process by wearing clothes that do not detract from that possibility. For example, when auditioning for "The Sound of Music," it wouldn't be prudent to arrive wearing baggy jeans and heavy studded jewelry. Dress for the essence of the character.

7. Prepare for the unexpected. Music theater auditions often involve a dance section, even if it was not listed in the audition requirements. If the show you are auditioning for has considerable dancing, make sure you bring comfortable dance clothes and shoes.

8. Come with questions. Do your research before the audition to learn about the production, the sponsoring theater group and performance schedule. Directors will often ask for questions, and it shows interest and preparation if you have one or two thoughtful inquiries.

9. Stay healthy. In the weeks leading up to your music theater audition, get plenty of sleep, drink water and exercise regularly. Your goal should be to arrive at the audition in your best mental and physical shape.

Prepare For A Community Theater Audition

Turn up that spotlight!

Community theater is a great outlet for actors of all skill levels. When you're acting in a community-theater production, there are countless ways to learn something new, tune up your performing skills and increase your emotional awareness. While you don't get paid to preform in community-theater productions, you will still need to audition, rehearse and perform. Preparing for a community-theater audition is fun and provides an acting lesson in itself.

Instructions

1. Learn about the director. Find out who is directing the play you are auditioning for, and what other plays that person has directed. Determine if he has a penchant for casting actors with a certain look, or if he stays true to the character descriptions as they are written in the plays. Community theater can consist of a tight-knit group of regular players, and you should be prepared for this.

2. Find out the name and author of the play you are auditioning for. Go to your local library and borrow a copy of the script. Read the entire play before your audition, so you get a sense of all the characters. You will be able to see the growth of each character; work that potential for growth into your audition.

3. Choose which character you would most like to play, and study that character's lines, mannerisms and evolution. You do not want to go into the audition acting exactly as you think that character would, but you can add some subtle characterization that could sway the director toward casting you.

4. Choose clothing that suits the character you want to play. Again, this should be subtle. Don't come in a toga when auditioning for a Greek tragedy. Wear character-appropriate clothing that still appears “normal” for an audition. You can also add accessories that would work well for the character.

5. Put together a resume that highlights all of your acting experience. Include high school, middle school, church programs and other community-theater work you've done. List the characters you played in each production. You can give the name of the director you worked with on each play. Community-theater directors often network and work with other performing groups, so this can help you get a part.

6. If the play you are auditioning for requires an accent, be sure to study that accent and practice it on your own. You can borrow books from the library that will teach you to enunciate words with certain accents, and you can watch television programs and movies to hear accents at work.

Prepare For Acting Auditions

Prepare for your next audition with these tips and wow casting directors.

Preparation is key for actors once they are given an audition. If a casting director gives you an audition that means that you probably fit the character's description and have the look they are looking for. Now, it's up to you to go into the room and knock them dead. Find out prepare for an audition in this article.

Instructions

1. If you are asked to prepare a monologue, practice the one you already know or choose a new monologue if needed. Practice alone and in front of a friend.

2. If you are given sides, a scene from the project, break them down and make choices about the character you're playing and who the person or other people in the scene are to you. Find ways to relate to the material.

3. Once you have done your work, memorize, memorize, memorize. You will look and be so much more prepared when you know the material like the back of your hand. Casting directors will appreciate it.

4. Stage a fake audition. Have a friend act like the casting director. Walk out of the room and have your friend sit down. Walk back into the room and greet the casting director (your friend). Have your friend say let me know you're ready. When you're ready, let the casting director know. Then, start the scene if your character speaks first.

Prepare Exterior Wood Window Trim To Paint

Perhaps you have decided to take on the task of painting your new windows yourself. Maybe you are looking to spruce up your house with a new coat of paint on old window trim, or you just may feel an urge to try out a new color.

Regardless of your reason for painting your exterior window trim, proper preparation can be the difference between looking beautiful for one year or one decade.

Instructions

1. Tape windows to protect them. Using painter's tape, lay the tape along the edge where the glass and the wood meet. This will protect the glass from cleaning solutions, primer, and paint through the process.

2. Wash with TSP or TSP substitute according to manufacturer directions. TSP, or trisodium phosphate, is a cleaning product found in the paint aisle of any hardware or home improvement store. In addition to cleaning the surface it will encourage bonding between the wood and the primer.

3. Scrape loose paint. Use a putty knife to scrape old paint away from the surface.

4. Sand the surface. Use a medium-grit sandpaper to sand down any remaining paint and debris. Then switch to a fine-grit sandpaper to smooth the surface.

5. Apply the primer. Begin your painting with any decorative wood that may cross the surface of the glass, then move on to the wood surrounding the edges of the glass. Finally, prime the remaining wood trim.

Mount Black & White Images

Color offers a necessary contrast when mounting images.

Mounting black and white images enhances the picture. A work of art does not look complete unless it is displayed with a professional finish. It is usual to choose a contrasting color for mounting, so the image stands out from the background. It also is standard practice to mount black and white images onto contrasting black, white or neutral grey backgrounds to create a stylish monochromatic effect. However, black and white images are effective against a wide range of color choices.

Instructions

1. Visit your local arts and crafts store to browse the color range of art mounting boards or thick card. Take a copy of your black and white image to hold up against specific colors. Match up your image against different color mounts to find which color looks most effective and makes your image stand out.

2. Purchase your card or mounting sheet.

3. Purchase a frame from a crafts or picture frames store.

4. Stick your image onto your mounting board using a glue stick. Mark in pencil, on the front of the mounting board, where the corners of your image are to be positioned. Use your image as a template and draw pencil dashes to mark the corner position. Make sure you have an equal border around the perimeter of your image by using a ruler to measure the distance from the edge of the image to the edge of the board. Drag the glue stick along the edges of the back of the image. Place a cross of glue in the center. Locate the corner pencil markings and stick your black and white image in place.

5. Cut out a frame for your image as an alternative method. This gives a more professional finish. Use a pencil and ruler to draw the image shape on to the back of the mounting board. Make it a fraction smaller, by about 1/5 of an inch on each side, so that the frame can fit over the image. Ensure there is an equal border around the image. Place the mounting board down on a wooden board or a rubber mat. Cut out the image shape with a metal ruler and sharp craft knife. Cut the edges straight and clean. Place the frame over the image to check whether is a snug fit. Stick a small dab of blue tack in the corner of the frame on the back of mounting board to keep the images temporarily in place. Turn the mounting board over. Secure the image in place with strips of masking tape along the edges of the image. Remove the blue tack a corner at a time as you attach the image.

6. Place the mounted image inside a picture frame to protect the image and add a professional finish.

Prepare A Rusty Automobile Panel For Paint

Rusty panels can easily be prepared for paint.

Automobile panels become rusted for many reasons. Scratches or scrapes that go through the paint and expose the bare metal can become rusted in less than 24 hours. Panels that have been sanded and repaired but not yet covered in paint can become covered in a layer of surface rust. Learn prepare a rusty automobile panel for paint so you can use the panel instead of buying a replacement.

Instructions

1. Sand the panel with 180 grit sandpaper to remove loose rust from the surface. Once the panel has been sanded completely, spray a moderate coat of rust remover over the rusted areas. Rust remover spray bonds the rust with the metal, creating a sandable surface. The rust turns black and dries within 30 minutes. It also prevents the rust from spreading into the metal.

2. Use 300 grit sandpaper to sand the panel until it is smooth. The rust remover spray can be used on repaired areas; sand them until they are as smooth as the rest of the panel. Wipe the panel with wax and grease remover and a microfiber towel to remove dust, wax or grease particles left behind.

3. Spray the panel with a thick coat of primer. Primer helps the paint adhere to the panel. Primer also acts as a layer of protection between the metal panel and the elements, protecting the panel from rust until it has been painted.

Prepare A Car Surface For Painting

Preparing the surface is the most important part of painting a car. From dent removal to rust repair, prep work must be done before you paint so your car will look as good as new. Here are some tips to help you prepare a car surface for painting.

Instructions

1. Fill in any dents first. If you can pull out the dent, try using a suction cup device like glass workers use. If you don't have access to that, lightly tap the dent from the backside to pop it out as much as possible. Fillers will be used to fill in the dents, and the smallest amount used is the best. Polyester filler is recommended over plastic filler. Fiberglass can be used to fill in larger dents. Apply the filler in thin coats, about 1/8 inch thick for each coat. Sand with very fine sandpaper before applying the next coat of filler. Examine the surface closely to look for any pinholes in the filler. If you see pinholes, add another coat of filler and sand the surface. Prep rust holes by sanding down to the bare metal and applying fiberglass filler. If the rust hole is too large, welding new metal to the surface is best. The metal prep work will take the longest, but is the most important part of painting your car.

2. Sand the prep work using long strokes and using increasingly finer sandpaper. Sand on an angle to prevent grooves in the car surface. Use a straight edge to judge the smoothness of the sanding and the curvature of the car. Continue to sand the prep work until the surface is totally smooth. If the rest of your car paint is in good condition, you don't need to sand it. However, if the paint job on your car is flaking or in bad shape, sand the rest of the car surface.

3. Apply a urethane primer that's considered "high build", sold at automotive specialty stores or online. High build primers don't shrink like other primers and will make your prep work and paint job look much more professional. High build primers also build up more, making it easier to sand and create even surfaces. Sand the primer after its hardened.

4. Use a sealer before painting the car. A sealer will help the new car paint adhere to the old paint and will keep the paint job looking smooth and uniform. If you're painting the whole car, apply the sealer to the whole car. Sealer can be found at automotive specialty stores or bought online.

5. Tape off all parts that you don't want to be painted and remove any decals. Tape off the glass, bumpers, door handles, etc. With the metal work done and the car prepped, you are now ready to paint.

Prepare A Canvas For Oil Painting

Once you've decided to paint with oil you will need to properly prepare your canvas. Omit this phase of your oil painting and you may find yourself regretting it when you are finished. Properly preparing a canvas for oil painting will ensure the longevity of your painting and prevent the acids in the paints and turpentine from eating through it.

Instructions

1. Decide what kind of texture you want your canvas to have. This decision will have to be made before you start applying the ground or protective coating to your canvas. It will determine the number of coats you apply. Two or three coats will provide a smooth finish. A single coat will give you a rough finish.

2. Unless you are proficient with making animal skin glue and have a kitchen that can handle the process I would recommend purchasing a water based acrylic primer to prep your canvas. This can be picked up at most decorating shops or art suppliers. After stirring your primer add a small amount of water to create a consistency slightly thicker than milk. Apply it quickly and evenly with a large brush in one direction.

3. After the first layer of ground has been applied to your canvas lightly sand it to give it a smooth finish. Then gently wipe it with a damp cloth to remove dust before you apply the second coat. Remember to apply your second coating in the opposite direction so that brush marks won't be visible. You may repeat this process one or two times.

4. After your canvas has thoroughly dried, use a sharp knife to carefully trim any fibers that are sticking out. This process of preparing your canvas for oil painting will greatly improve the quality of your painting. You are now ready to begin painting your masterpiece.

Prepare A Blueprint Solution For Sun Printing

Blueprinting (cyanotype) is an alternative photographic process that has been used to reproduce technical designs for architectural and engineering plans. You can apply this same technique to create blue and white designs on paper or fabric using the sun and two chemicals: ferric ammonium citrate and potassium ferricyanide.

Instructions

1. Pour eight ounces of warm distilled water into the measuring cup and set aside.

2. Measure one-half ounce of potassium ferricyanide. Open the lightproof bag or bottle of potassium ferricyanide and pour about one-half cup of the chemical slowly into one of the cups. Place the cup on the scale and check the weight. Add more of the chemical if needed to measure one-half ounce.

3. Slowly pour the potassium ferricyanide into the measuring cup, a little at a time. Stir until the chemical dissolves.

4. Measure one ounce of potassium ferricyanide. Open the lightproof bag or bottle of ferric amonium citrate and slowly pour about one-half cup of the chemical into the remaining cup. Place the cup on the scale and check the weight. Add more of the chemical if needed to measure one ounce. Reseal the lightproof bag.

5. Add the ferric amonium citrate, a little at a time, to the potassium ferricyanide already dissolved in the measuring cup. Stir until the chemical is dissolved and the solution is thoroughly mixed. Reseal the lightproof bag.

6. Clean the work area. Wash surfaces with paper towels and water that may have come into contact with the blueprint solution. Spills may not be visible but may appear hours later when you may encounter blue stains. If you are not ready to print, store the solution in a lightproof container.

Prepare Automotive Surfaces For Rust Paint

Cars sitting up for long periods of time are more likely to have rust in hard-to-reach places.

Rust paint stops or prevents rust. Rust paint comes in handy when repainting a rusty vehicle that cannot be cleaned of all existing rust. Rust paint can also be used in cracks or crevices of a car that can't be reached to thoroughly remove the rust. Rust paint breaks down existing rust and transforms it into a sandable surface, almost like a layer of primer. Before painting, the car's surface must be prepared for rust paint to work properly.

Instructions

1. Use a wire brush to brush away loose rust from the surface. A stiff wire brush can loosen and remove large chunks of rust and most small flakes. Move the wire brush back and forth over the rust until no more rust flakes off. This leaves the area much smoother than before.

2. Sand the rusted area with 80-grit sandpaper to remove the last of the loose rust on the surface. Sand the area as smooth as possible to leave a flat surface for the rust paint. Some visible rust will remain, depending on how much rust was there to begin with.

3. Blow the rust and dust off the area using an air hose or wash it off with water. Make sure to wear eye protection if using an air hose. If washing the area with water, let the surface dry for at least two hours before applying the rust paint.