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.

There are several reasons why a person might choose to drink oat milk instead of dairy alternatives. For example, if you are lactose intolerant, you may be searching for a tasty dairy replacement. Good news for you - oat milk tastes great in tea and coffee, on cereal, and can also be used to replace cow’s milk in various baking recipes.Many studies show that animal agriculture is a major contributor to greenhouse gases. Dairy milk uses about 8 times more land than any of the plant-based alternatives. The amount of water needed to produce cow’s milk is much higher than the amount needed to produce oat milk. It takes over 160 gallons of water to produce 1 quart of cow’s milk and it takes a little over 12 gallons of water to produce the same amount of oat milk. Basically, if you care about the environment, you should consider making the switch if you haven’t already.Not only does it have a lovely creamy taste, in time, the majority of oat milk drinkers don’t miss dairy milk at all. In fact, the popularity of oat milk has grown exponentially in the last few years, creating a large variety of brands and flavors to choose from. To help you find a drink that suits your taste buds, we have created a list of the best oat milks in 2022. Check it out below! If you want to do further research, we've compiled an oat milk buyer's guide as well.

The keto diet is one of the most popular eating trends among American men and women who are determined to shed their excess weight and get into great shape. The ketogenic routine involves very low carb intake while replacing them with healthy fats. This reduction in carbs eventually makes your body go into a metabolic state known as ketosis.Similar to the Atkins and other low-carb diets, keto can lead to some pretty dramatic results, especially if you’re looking to shed a lot of weight over a few months, or if you suspect you have a gluten intolerance. If you are a breakfast lover, this does not spell doom and gloom. In fact, there are numerous delicious ket cereals on the market today. Sure, you’re going to have to ditch the PB on toast and bacon sandwiches for the foreseeable future, but you can still enjoy a delicious (and convenient) breakfast meal thanks to these handy products.Let’s face it, cereal isn’t cheap at the best of times, unless you’re buying store-brand corn flakes which, you know, you can’t really eat on a keto diet. To help you make a decision, we have collected some of the top keto cereals on the market in our handy buying guide below. We’ve also taken the time to break down some important factors for you to consider before making any purchase.

Glowing facial skin is often a sign of healthy living, and while it comes naturally for some - others, not so much. Every skin expert knows that exfoliation is a simple trick to getting dazzling, spotless skin, which is why it is an integral part of every skincare routine. Facial exfoliation is a way of peeling old, rugged skin off your face, and as simple as it may sound, this procedure will make your face shine brighter and better.Exfoliation today is way better and safer than it used to be, and the best facial exfoliation pads in 2022 listed in this buying guide take it up a notch. The best thing about these exfoliation pads is that they combine mechanical (abrasive surface) and chemical action (active ingredients) to deal with facial skin blemishes.Exfoliation pads are typically infused with potent face cleansing substances like lactic, mandelic, or glycolic acids, generally known as alpha-hydroxy acids or salicylic acid, a beta-hydroxy acid. These chemical agents have been found to increase collagen production, improve facial skin tone, eliminate dark spots, and reduce breakouts - and thanks to exfoliating pads, you get to apply some or all of them on your face.There’s an exfoliation pad for every skin, no matter the sensitivity or tone. And luckily for you, this buying guide has information on everything you need to know about these face scrubbers.

Acne is the worst! They leave you feeling self-conscious, insecure, and unable to have fun or be yourself. However, the really awful thing about dealing with acne is trying to get rid of it with a product that doesn’t work. If you’ve been there, we totally get it. Everyone’s skin is different, and what works for someone else may not work for you. So, to give you the best chance at getting rid of that acne, we have compiled the best acne treatment kits in 2022.

If you are a hardcore weightlifter or just your average gym enthusiast who knows how to take care of yourself when exercising, you’ll know the importance of a recovery drink. Usually, in the form of a shake or smoothie, recovery drinks are full of essential amino acids and proteins which are slowly released into the body over several hours, aiding your recovery and turning your body into an efficient, muscle-building temple.If your aim is to tone up, post-workout recovery drinks should be a compulsory part of your exercise routine. Not only do they help you build muscle, but they also boost your immune system and even improve your bone structure. Of course, you can make your own shakes with supplements, powders, and natural foods. But who has time for that? Many companies provide pre-made recovery drinks which give you absolutely everything you need with minimal fuss.Need help choosing the perfect drink for you? We’ve compiled a list of the very best recovery drinks in 2022, as well as some nifty tricks for choosing the right recovery drink on the fly.