Comments for DIY Questions

Comment on What are some DIY ways of putting graphics on T-Shirts? by Leslie M

Leslie M — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 16:47:54 +0000

Most hobby stores carry transfer paper which can be printed in your computer and then ironed on to the T-shirts. Some office supplies carry it too. You can buy fairly small packages (3 to 5 sheets) fairly affordably.

Just remember, all images will be backwards when you iron them on, so flip your image on the computer before you print, and only use designs that are not under copy write.

Comment on how do you and can anyone with basic tools replace a turbocharger on a diesel car? by lewis g

lewis g — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 05:33:25 +0000

The turbo is an easy job to replace on any car if its located at the front of the engine, it can still be done if its located at the back of the engine its just more fiddly.

Ensure you have lots of releasing fluid for the nuts that hold the turbo in place as they have a habit of snapping the studs they are on.

The easiest way to remove it would be to take off the turbo with the manifold then remove the turbo.

The pipe that goes to the top middle of the turbo is for the oil under pressure to the bearings (not water) before refitting the replacement turbo check that there is a pressured oil feed to the turbo, if you dont and this is blocked then you will damage the new turbo, also dont forget to refit the oil return on the bottom.

Most of this can be achieved with a DIY Mechanics tool kit (only checking the oil pressure needs special tools)

Comment on When microwaves stop working what are the most common parts inside that fail 1st? Ours has stopped working? by Tim E

Tim E — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 08:10:28 +0000

The first time my microwave quit working I thought I’d have to replace it. It was the over the stove type with the hood, light, fan and all built in at roughly $500. I opened it up and found a small fuse about an inch long, covered it in tin foil and plugged it back in and it worked. I went the next day and bought a new fuse and never had another problem. The microwave was 15 yrs old when we moved out and was still going strong. It was a Whirlpool.

Comment on I want to build a DIY recumbent trike. Am I being realistic? by Jimmy S

Jimmy S — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 04:22:14 +0000

Sounds like one of those “If at first you don’t succeed, try and try again” projects.

All you need to succeed with this is motivation, time, money, patience, and skills you can learn as you go. Your fifth trike will be a lot better than your first one..

Go for it.

Comment on Painting countertop? by Kendra

Kendra — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 03:11:58 +0000

I was in the same situation and this is what i did. I think it looks really good and everyone that comes over thinks i replaced the countertops. First off, i sanded the countertops just to get them unslick. Then i primed them with Kilz. I used a sea sponge and 3 paint colors (oil based) and dabbed them on. I used black, chocolate and gray. Finally, with a foam roller, i applied polyurethene…about 5 coats…sanding lightly in between coats. I did all this about a year ago and it is holding up really well!!!

Comment on how do you and can anyone with basic tools replace a turbocharger on a diesel car? by jlynch862

jlynch862 — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 23:20:44 +0000

It’s easy to do, if there is easy access. I can’t tell you w/o the make and model/year of the car. If you can get to it, there’s no calibration. Just unbolt the damaged one and bolt on the new one. I can give you more info if you give the make/model/year. Also, I recommend you go with the manufactures’ turbo or equivalent.

Hope I helped!

Comment on Painting countertop? by davidb196

davidb196 — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 08:24:37 +0000

I wouldn’t paint a countertop myself.. for health reasons alone would be good enough to spend a few extra bucks down the road to get all new.

Comment on Painting countertop? by TradesProfessional, Inc.

TradesProfessional, Inc. — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 02:21:30 +0000

If this is a temporary remedy, and your, talking about painting over laminate, you’ll need to sand down the surface with 150 grit sandpaper first. Follow with vacuuming the dust, then wipe it all down with Xylene. Paint this counter top with Klenks Tub Refinishing Epoxy which is available at Home Depot in their paint department. There are two (2) Klenks refinishing products that are side by side on the shelf, and one is about $3 more then the other which is the one you want to buy. This is relatively easy and comes with everything you need to do this project.

Now, I am going to warn you that the smell/odor is very strong and you’ll need to open all the windows and doors in the immediate and adjacent work area.

This will take a minimum of two coats. The product comes in a pure white color, though you can take it up to the paint desk where they can tint it to the color you choose.

This is the best and most durable finish you’ll be able to use for this particular application. Follow the directions, relevant to recoating times and prep & tape off with care . . . you’ll be pleased with the results.

If you need additional help on this don’t hesitate to ask.

Mike Lonergan
TradesProfessional, Inc.

Comment on how do you and can anyone with basic tools replace a turbocharger on a diesel car? by pinto drivin' SOB

pinto drivin' SOB — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 22:27:00 +0000

what year/make/model of car is it? most of the time passenger car turbos are fairly easy to replace (if they are front mounted), but make sure you get all applicable gaskets for this job. is the center section water cooled?

Comment on When microwaves stop working what are the most common parts inside that fail 1st? Ours has stopped working? by Corky R

Corky R — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 08:14:27 +0000

If you get anything to start, lite or move when you push start, including the touch pad, if it has one for control, then the fuse is not the problem. If the fuse blows, it will be dead in the water, so to speak. It has been my experience, though, that sometimes the little prongs that depress the switches when the door is closed can either break, or sometimes the switches can loosen in their brackets to the point where they aren’t depressed enough to make proper contact, thus not letting the unit turn on. The micro we have now has to have the door lifted occasionally when trying to start to make the levers trip the switches. If you do decide to try repairing this yourself, be extremely careful around the transformer and capacitors, usually in the rear end of the unit. It stores a huge amount of electricity which can kill you if you touch it wrong.