Preparing and waxing wood involves some effort, but it's well worth it.
:: There are different sorts of wax available for wood, but probably the easiest option is wax you paint on because you can cover a lot of ground quickly with a paintbrush. Simply stir the wax, brush it on in the direction of the wood grain and leave it for 10-20 minutes before buffing it off with a soft cloth. Apply another coat in the same way, or more coats if you want a deeper colour.
:: Preparation is, of course, vital. The most important thing is to have a uniform, absorbent base for the wax, so if the wood has any kind of coating, sand this off first. An electric sander is the easiest way to do this, but you'll need to sand any fiddly bits by hand.
:: Get most of the sanding dust off with a duster or brush, then use a cloth dampened with white spirit to wipe the wood clean. Don't use water because this raises the wood grain.
:: Getting the colour right is obviously important because you don't want to have to remove the wax if you're not happy with it. Most DIY stores have tester blocks of waxed wood on display next to the wax, so you don't have to rely on the (often inaccurate) colour charts, but even this isn't foolproof. To be sure, do a tester patch on your wood - you can always sand it off if you don't like the colour.
:: If, when you're applying the wax, the colour isn't turning out as you'd expected, buff it off immediately. If it's really dark, buff it with something like an old textured tea towel dampened with white spirit or sugar-soap solution, which will fade the colour. The wax should dry lighter than it goes on, so be patient and keep experimenting with the colour until you're happy with it.
DIY news bulletin
The problem with painted woodwork is that it's easily scuffed and chipped, especially in high-traffic family areas like your hall. If touching up your woodwork always seems to be on your DIY to-do list, check out Ronseal's new high-performance interior wood paint, which is designed to be knock and scratch resistant.
Ronseal DiamondHard Wood Paint contains a polyurethane-acrylic formula that's up to twice as hard as traditional gloss paint and reduces scuffing, chipping and scratching.
The paint's also nice to use - it gives off fewer fumes than traditional oil-based paints and dries quickly, so you can finish the job in no time. The other great thing is that it's designed not to yellow, saving you lots of work in the long run.
Available in three finishes - gloss, satin and eggshell - Ronseal DiamondHard Wood Paint costs from £10.98 for 750ml. Find out more at www.ronseal.co.uk.
Cuprinol has added five new colours to its Garden Shades range, four to its Ultra Tough Decking Stain range and two to its 5 Year Ducksback range for sheds and fences.
The company has identified four key garden trends for 2011 and the new colours have been created to reflect these. The trends are 'grow your own', with a colour palette of earthy browns and mossy greens; 'discovery', which has unusual textures and flashes of colour; 'homespun chic', characterised by classic planting and soft, grey tones; and 'urban exotic', which combines clean, angular lines and bolder, more masculine colours.
I particularly like Garden Shades' Summer Damson, a yummy purple that will brighten up any garden, and City Stone, a chic beige from the Ultra Tough Decking range.
The Cuprinol Garden Shades range costs from £2.49 for 125ml (30ml tester pots are also available for 99p); Cuprinol Ultra Tough Decking Stain starts at £27.59 for 2.5ltr; and Cuprinol 5 Year Ducksback is £14.29 for 5ltr. See www.cuprinol.co.uk.
Ask the expert...
Q: I'd like to relocate our bathroom from the back of the house downstairs to the middle upstairs - will this be difficult to do?
A: The main problem will be connecting the new toilet to the existing waste pipe, unless this can be moved. To do this, you may need a macerating toilet, which isn't ideal because the pipes connecting it can become blocked. It will also depend on the layout of your home and where the drains and plumbing are, so consult a reputable plumber before you go any further to see how feasible your plans are and how much they're likely to cost.
Seasonal task...
If you're thinking of putting your home on the market now that spring's here, make a list of DIY jobs that need doing to get it ready and then do them! Remember that neutral paint colours are the safest choice when you're trying to sell, and the kitchen and bathroom are key rooms for buyers.
