Garage floors are an especially difficult painting problem. Extreme durability is required to withstand constant abrasion, items being dropped on it and chemical spills. The paint must be extremely hard, while still maintaining some flexibility to overcome this combination of dangers. For this reason, epoxy paint is normally used. Epoxy paint is essentially a thinner, tinted version of epoxy adhesive. It is normally a two-part paint product, just as epoxy adhesives are. However, there are a few one-part epoxy products on the market which are specifically designed for use as garage floor coverings. I don’t understand how they can be one-part products, but still be epoxy. Nevertheless, their manufacturers label them as such and sell them as garage floor coatings. Epoxy cures as a chemical reaction; which is different than other paint products. Almost all other paints dry by evaporation of the solvent that is in the paint. This is why VOCs are such an issue with oil-based paints. The solvents used in these products are VOCs. They must leave the paint by evaporation for the paint to dry. Due to increased regulatory requirements, more and more of these paint products are being replaced by water-based products; as water, by definition, isn’t a VOC. Likewise, more and more epoxy paints are becoming water-based paints. From what I’ve seen, this has not reduced the quality or durability of these paints, as the epoxy still cures by a chemical reaction. Unlike other paint products, water-based and oil-based epoxy paints are extremely similar. What makes an epoxy paint good is the percentage of solids that it contains. The more solids, the heavier and more durable a coat of finish it puts on the floor. High solids epoxies also soak in less, providing better coverage. Coverage is a major issue for these products, as concrete is highly porous. A certain amount of the material soaks directly into the concrete, reducing the coverage area. This is hard to predict, as concrete used for garage floors varies considerably. The way that the concrete is finished has a part to play in coverage as well. The good news is that the more the epoxy seeps into the concrete, the better it bonds with the substrate. Before using any garage floor coating, it is essential that the floor be totally clean. This is actually a bigger challenge than applying the floor covering, as garages typically have stains from oils and other chemicals. All of these, especially the oil, will reduce the adhesion of the epoxy to the floor. If the floor isn’t cleaned and prepared adequately, the covering will not last, but will flake and peel from the floor. For this reason, it is best to apply an epoxy floor coating to new cement, before the garage is used. However, that is not always possible. If the coating is to be applied to an already existing garage floor, then it is important to take the time to thoroughly cleanse the floor. Finally, remember that two-part epoxies have a limited working time before they cure. Check the working time for the epoxy product that you purchase and ensure that you can finish the application in the time available. Once it starts to thicken, effective application is almost impossible. It is possible to mix only part of the product, rather than mixing the whole kit. However, when this is done, there is a very high risk that the second part won’t be exactly the same shade of color as the part already applied. Without exact measurement, it is impossible to maintain color consistency. When measuring to separate part of a kit out for later application or touch-up, remember that a 1:1 ratio may not be exact. Verify that both containers have the same amount of product in them, so that your measurement will be accurate. Check out our list of the best garage floor coatings in 2022.

Although the use of broiler pans has declined with the advent of grill pans and other more advanced roasters, the broiler pan remains an affordable and easy option for oven broiled foods. Broiler pans have been used for decades for oven roasting. Some ovens even come with broiler pans. Because much of the juices and liquids from the roasting meat sits at the bottom of the pan, and can often cause sticking, the quality of your broiler pan is essential. The best broiler pans in 2022 listed here were chosen because they are easy to clean, sturdy, nonstick and under $50. The broiler pan may be a bit of a blast from the past, but these five fabulous picks will renew your faith in broiler cooking.

Cleaning up after a paint job always requires some sort of solvent. For latex paints, this solvent is water; but for many paint products like oil-based paint and varnish, some other solvent is needed. Unfortunately, these other solvents aren’t as benign as water. For this reason, the EPA has been creating regulations that pressure paint manufacturers to reduce the VOCs in their paints. By definition Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are organic liquids that evaporate. The word “organic” refers to chemicals that contain a carbon atom in their molecular makeup. The word “volatile” doesn’t mean that it is flammable, like many people think, but rather that it evaporates. This includes almost all liquids.Water gets a pass, because the water molecule H2O doesn’t contain carbon; only hydrogen and oxygen. However, pretty much everything else that it used as a solvent for paints qualifies as being VOCs. This is especially true of any oil-based products that are used as paint thinners.While manufacturers are gradually moving away from oil-based paint products, in order to satisfy FDA regulations, there are still some around. For these products, finding an appropriate solvent for cleanup and thinning of the paint is important. This need to meet FDA regulations draws a line which clearly divides all paint thinners and products. On one side of the line are the more traditional thinners, which have VOCs and on the other side of the line are newer chemical thinners which are either low VOC or don’t contain any VOCs. Some of these newer products actually work incredibly well, especially when you consider that oil and water don’t mix. In this list of the best paint thinners in 2022, we’ll cover both categories of paint thinners. Keep in mind that paint formulations vary widely, so the results you get from a particular paint thinner may be different than those that I have received. A lot depends upon the particular chemical composition of the paint product you are trying to thin. In all cases, I still have to say that the old-fashioned products work better, even though they are not as good for the environment. Before trying to pick out a paint thinner, be sure that you know what type of paint material you are expecting to use it with. This is important, as different thinners work with different paints. For example, mineral spirits is excellent for use with standard oil-based paints, but won’t do a thing for cleaning up lacquer; nor does lacquer thinner work well for cleanup of most oil-based paints.

If you are looking for a healthier ways to enjoy fruits and vegetables or even protein, then a food dehydrator will be a great option. Dehydrating food for health purposes has been around since biblical times. The benefit of dehydrated foods are priceless. By drying foods, you will retain nearly 100 percent of the vitamins and nutrients. Buying bulk dried foods in a regular grocery store can be very expensive. As an alternative, owning your own dehydrator can not only be fun, but will save you money. In assessing the best dehydrators on the market, low cost, size and heating power were factors. I looked for dehydrators under $150, had a minimum 6 tray capacity and had at least 500 watts of power. These best food dehydrators in 2022 will allow you to affordably invest in your health without compromising quality.

Painted furniture and architectural trim can look nice and can even be repainted numerous times. Nevertheless, there can come a time when it’s necessary to remove the paint.There are two basic ways of removing paint: mechanically or chemically. Mechanically basically means sanding off the old paint. This can be done with sandpaper, Scotchbrite wheels in a drill, or even a plane if you have one that is the right shape. However, chemical paint removal is much more common than mechanical and is done with paint removers.Paint removers soften the existing paint so that it can be easily scraped off the piece of furniture or architectural molding. It doesn’t usually fully dissolve the paint, but merely makes it possible for you to remove it with a putty knife or other tool. That way, you don’t have the dissolved paint running all over and staining other pieces.Regardless of this, removing paint is an extremely messy task. So, whenever you do it, you’ll want to make sure that you’ve got drop cloths down to catch the drips and the paint that you’re removing. Keep in mind that the paint remover can also attack the finish on hardwood floors. If you are removing paint in a room that has hardwood floors, be sure to use waterproof drop cloths. If your project has a lot of vertical surfaces, it can be very useful to use a paint remover that’s in a gel form. That way, it won’t run off the surface. Regardless of what type of paint remover you choose to use for your given task, be sure to read and follow the instructions carefully. In many cases, you will need some protective equipment such as rubber gloves, eye protection, and possibly a respirator in some cases. Attention to safety is important as some of these chemicals can be very dangerous. Check out our list of the best paint removers in 2022 and get started on your project.

Taking a few minutes after a long day to nourish your senses with uplifting aromas and replenishing care can be beneficial to your health both physically and mentally. The best spa kits not only smell great, but they also combine nourishing, skin-loving ingredients with calming aromatherapy scents and muscle relaxing ingredients. A spa kit is about indulging your senses to transport you to a haven of relaxation for body, mind, and soul. Spoil your mom this Mother’s Day by giving her the ultimate at-home relaxation and rejuvenation set. To make sure she gets top-quality pampering, we’ve hunted down the most popular anti-stress, rejuvenating, and facial pamper sets.

If the aroma of essential oils and the fragrance of scented wax puts you in a good mood, you should consider owning a wax warmer. Many of you might still be thinking, why not choose an aromatic candle instead. Candles produce a flame, which could be dangerous or if you are sensitive to smoke.So, how did wax warmers originate, and what made them so popular? Bulk candle manufacturers noticed that they were wasting a lot of small wax pieces while making candles. To procure them, they came up with the idea to sell wax melts. Therefore, to use these wax melts, wax warmers were crafted. Wax warmer kits are also used to heat wax for hair removal. Read our buying guide to get in-depth knowledge about popular wax warmers that make excellent Mother’s Day gifts!

The average American consumes nearly 77 grams of sugar every day. And more often than not, people have no idea how many hidden ingredients, like sugar, are in their food. Of course, excessive sugar consumption can contribute to serious health issues like increased weight gain, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease. However, it’s the less serious side effects like achy joints, sore muscles, brain fog, fatigue, headaches, allergies, gas, migraines, acne, irritable bowel, reflux, or arthritis that overwhelm people over the long run. That’s why detoxing is so important. Luckily, thanks to these products, it’s easier than ever to reset your body and detox from sugar and other harmful substances from the comfort of home.

Humans have a complicated relationship with hair removal. Most of us want it on our heads. But beyond that, it’s a crapshoot. Some of us go to great lengths to completely remove it from our faces, while others cultivate facial hair like bonsai trees. Some of us are fine with a bit of hair on our arms and legs, but not the chest. Others are fine with hair on the chest and armpits, but not the back. Some of us don’t want hair anywhere south of the equator. Still, others don’t want it anywhere south of the shoulders.Of course, back in the day, our hair-grooming options were limited. You could cut it with scissors, shave it with a razor, or pluck it with tweezers - that was just about it. But today, there are a ton of different hair removal products designed for every need imaginable. And now that spring has officially sprung, there’s no better time to take a look at some of our favorites.Whatever your particular stance on hair, there’s probably an innovative hair removal product on this list for you. So take a look at our picks for the best hair removal products for 2022.

One of the best ways to ensure the best self-care is by incorporating light therapy into your routine. This innovative technology has a wide array of benefits and can be used to brighten skin, stimulate hair growth, whiten teeth, boost your mood, and more. So if you’re interested in any or all of these benefits, check out our list of unique light therapy products.