ianna, I have given some thought to blogging, but don't know how to go about it. Can you make money doing that? If so, I could dig it If you read my above blabbering, I mentioned vineyards. Yes, I have grapes. They are yummy. With this evil drought and triple-digit temps we've had the past two years, last year the fruit shriveled up just as they are almost ready to harvest. (grrrr) There are actually quite a number of Wineries in Oklahoma now. Yes, we have our own brands of wine - crazy, huh? The state finally came to their senses and voted in a law allowing it. They realized there was money to be made, and that means more revenue. (like...no duh!) There are four wineries and vineyards very near here. The bigger one also has a fine restaurant. You can tour the vineyards and taste-test their wares. Good stuff, too. Then, sit down for a lovely candle-lit meal sitting out on the huge patio balcony at sunset, overlooking the vineyards. Awesome place. You have to make reservations there. I should go talk to them and see how they keep their fruit from shriveling on the vines in the horrible heat of summer. Maybe use some of those floating covers. I bought some to use this year over my tomatoes, if need be. I could get more for the grapes, I guess. Worth a try. Even with all the rain and snowfall we've had in the past month, I still had to go out and water today. Brrrr. Everything is looking good though and I enjoy watering.

Home Depot clerks aren't exactly the best place to ask a painting question, but hey at least he didn't lie and give you some answer that would have been his best guess. You should use 100 percent acrylic paint, exterior paint for the exterior side and interior paint for the interior side. You can find paints that are rated for both exterior and interior as well. I would use at least a satin sheen so that the door is durable and somewhat washable when you are done. You can spray, brush or roll, whatever your choice. I usually roll them with small mohair rollers or whiizzies. It's too much effort setting up the sprayer for one door IMO.

Hey M!; What cabinets are you painting? Kitchen? Bathroom? What are you going to put in them? (Canned goods, or toilet paper?). What is your preference in color? Oil based paints are fine for painting over wallpaper; before you add a coat or two of latex; (because it adheres the walpaper to the wall). Adheres? Where did I come up with that word? Oil based paints have their qualities; but the cleanup is cumbersome. If your cabinets are new; I would start with a good primer. Prime is prime; but I have found Behr paints to be exceptional. Even if they are old; and you don't know what the "base" is; any "good" latex primer will seal, and help the topcoat stick to whatever is under there. Paints today are amazing. They are not only catering to your needs in the way of color, shades, and durability; but they can match anything to go with your color scheme. If you want the final coat to be dark; I would suggest you have the prime tinted; to save effort, and use less of the primary color. (I.E. The darker the paint (Red, Navy Blue, black ect.); consumes more paint per square foot over the lighter colors; if your prime is not tinted. (Weird isn't it?). To make it short; you can have any color you want in your cabinets; as long as you have a good base coat. (Prime). If your cabinets have shelving paper on it now; and no matter what you tried will not get it off; I would go with the oil based paint; which will adhere the old shelving paper to the cabinets; and the water from the new latex paints won't lift it off; and you won't have to start all over again. I hope I have helped you. And by the way; I know what "D.H." means! I am a husband you know! Have a great day! Moonie

bbstx, thank you so much for the tips. I have some other remodeling to be done by contractors. These days, I have been busy buying lights and materials for bathroom remodeling. Sorry for my late response. For the kitchen cabinets, I will paint them myself. screedesq, thank you very much for sharing your experience, which is very helpful. I'll use the Benjamin Moore Advance Simply White Semi Gloss. For the primer, I'll use Sherwin Williams PrepRiteProBlock latex primer. The sales lady recommended SW premium wall wood primer. But according to bbstx's referred post, the former should be better. I have the external hinge of bronze color. Did you have the same? Did you change them to stainless steel? I don't know if it would be a good idea to change them to internal hinge and if it would be an easy job. Did it take you a lot of time to degloss and sand the cabinets? Did you use a rotary orbital sander to do the job? The contractor who is going to remodel my house suggested Rust-Oleum Transformations. I doubt it would produce the same good result as SW preprite problock latex primer + BM advance? Really appreciate your help.