1. On the Air - Great Prize Giveaway
2. Ask Tom & Leslie - Refinishing a Wood Floor
3. Short Cuts - Spring Cleaning on the Outside
4. Fun Fact - Curb Appeal
5. Dot Common Sense - Lender's Secrets Revealed
6. Cool Tools - Yard Care with Power!

ASK TOM & LESLIE

This week's question comes to us from Jay in Moundsville, West Virginia. Jay asks, " I'm going to refinish my hardwood floors. What grit sandpaper should I use and what type of coating should I put back on the floors?"

Great question, Jay. Refinishing hardwood floors is a popular project that can really improve the look of your space. If the finish is just dull and there aren't deep gouges or any other kind of serious flaws in the floors, the simplest way to prep the surface for a fresh new coat is to rent a floor buffer with a sanding screen. If the floor is badly damaged, you'll need to rent a floor sander. Typically, there are two types of floor sanders available. A floor belt sander is the tool most pros use. These tools are big, heavy, hard to maneuver and if you sneeze when you are using one, can damage your floor for life. We don't recommend renting a belt sander for your floors. If they are that bad, hire a pro to do the sanding. A better option for the D-I-Yer is a machine known as a U-sand. A U-sand is a four disk random orbital sander that does a fabulous job sanding the floor and is goof-proof regardless of the skill level of the user. It als o does a good job of sucking up the dust it creates making for a much neater job and smoother finish. Even with these tools, you will most likely still need to do some sanding by hand in the areas tough to get to. You can also rent a disk sander that is designed to get into the edges of the floor, but keep in mind that these machines typically leave swirl marks that may need to be hand sanded out none the less.

Polyurethane is the finish of choice for floors. The finish is available in both latex and oil based versions. In our experience, the latex finish works well for cabinets, trim and furniture but just doesn't have the abrasion resistance to do a good job on the floors. For those, an oil finish still delivers the best long-term result. The best way to apply oil-based polyurethane is to "mop" it on with a synthetic lamb's wool-type applicator. This useful tool, available at any home center, looks like a sponge mop and lays down a silky smooth finish in a fraction of the time it would take to do it using a brush. For best results, use several thin coats and try to avoid heavy traffic on the floor for a few days after the finish is applied so that it can fully harden.

GOT A QUESTION ABOUT YOUR MONEY PIT?

1. The toll-free studio hot line is 1-888-MONEY PIT. Find out when we broadcast in your area by checking out our website at www.MoneyPit.com. Each week we take dozens of calls, give great advice and offer callers a chance to win a terrific prize awarded to one random caller to every show.
2. Call when it's convenient for you, 24 hours a day, same number: 1-888-MONEY PIT. A live person takes your call 24/7! So -- WHENEVER you have a home improvement question -- phone it in. Simply tell our phone screener your first name, and where you're calling from...and ask your question. We’ll get back to you with the answer – or even call you back during the show!
3. Click here to email your question to us. We may read your email on the air and we also respond personally to many of the email questions we get.

Most homebuyers decide whether to look inside a home or not based on their first impression of the outside. You can help make sure potential buyers come inside by sprucing up the outside before you put your home on the market. Here are a few ideas about where to start:

• Clear the clutter: Stow away unnecessary garden tools, garbage cans, toys and other items.
• Clean up: make sure windows, doors and gutters sparkle. Pressure wash dirty siding and dingy decks. Kill mold and mildew on the house, sidewalks, roof, or driveway.
• Don't forget the landscaping: edge sidewalks and remove weeds and grass growing in between concrete sections and bricks. Mow the lawn regularly. Rake and dispose of leaves and trim tree limbs. Keeping the outside of your home appealing with lure potential buyers inside instead of turning them off right off the bat!

FUN FACT

Why not add some curb appeal to your home by sprucing up the outside? There are projects that fit any budget. To go all out, consider a fresh paint job. Another option might be a new front door, perhaps something with leaded glass inserts. If you can't justify the cost of a new door, consider replacing plain doorknob hardware with something more attractive. If new hardware is beyond your budget, how about repainting or staining the door and polishing the hardware? If you brainstorm, you'll find that there's a solution to most problems-one that lets you stay within your budget.

DOT COMMON SENSE

Get the insider secrets to securing the best interest rate for your home improvement loan at www.lsrbook.com- a site by Craig Ward, the author of "Lender's Secrets Revealed". Craig spent more than two decades as a lending professional with both banks and private lending institutions. Just one of his secret tips - lenders have up to an eighth of a percentage point leeway with the rates they offer you. Check out the site and the book to learn what lenders will never offer up themselves!

COOLTOOLS

For many of us, working out in the yard can be a relaxing escape. But others think of it as a chore. Whatever group you fall into, the Craftsman line of specialty outdoor power equipment will make quick work of your outdoor spring projects. There's a new development in 2-cycle engines with Incredi-Pull technology. Incredi-Pull products have a greater ease of start. Incredi-Pull is offered in a full line of blowers, tillers, string trimmers and more. The new Craftsman Straight Shaft Trimmer is easy to start and load with its hassle-free cutting head. The trimmer features a comfortable D-handle design and finger-touch trigger. It cuts a 14-in. swath to manage trimming jobs around the house, trees, shrubs and patio. Choose between cutting lines for light or medium trimming to heavy-duty tasks such as light brush. There's no more bump-feed line advance, winding spools or untangling line. The pre-cut line is easy to load and replace. Switch from trimming to edging with Twist and Edge. This feature flips the cutting head to the desired position to assist the operator in edging sidewalks, driveways and patios. Craftsman's line of Incredi-Pull products is offered exclusively at Sears. Visit www.Craftsman.com for pricing and product details.

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Copyright 2005 Squeaky Door Productions, Inc.