How to make a lemon battery

Painting the church

Bill was short of money and was out looking for a job. Pastor Nelson gave Bill some money to buy paint and paint the church.

Well Bill went out bought some paint and started painting the church. He discovered that he was using more paint than he expected so the added some thinner to the paint, well it is still covered but not as well as it did at first.

Well he still was using more paint than he wanted to use so he added still more thinner to the paint. Well the paint was too thin cover well but Bill still kept on painting.

All of a sudden there was a bolt of lighting and a loud voice from the sky proclaimed, "Repaint, repaint and thin no more."

Yes you can

The color psychology of red

• Red is a bright, warm color that evokes strong emotions.


• Red is associated with love, warmth, and comfort.


• Red is also considered an intense, or even angry, color that creates feelings of excitement or intensity.


• Consider how red is used in language: redneck, red-hot, red-handed, paint the town red, seeing red

How does red make you feel? Do you associate red with certain qualities or situations?

When landscape is architecture

The New York artist Mary Miss has proposed building a 1,500-foot bridge across a canal at a new 100-acre art and nature park for the Indianapolis Museum of Art. Miss is working with the New York structural engineer Guy Nordenson on developing the bridge as an innovative viewing device—a central platform for walking across, surrounded on either side with ha-ha’s, or walkways depressed 42 inches that form a sort of moat, which visitors can occupy along the bridge’s length. Imagine a “W” section through the bridge, with a wider center peak as the main path. The idea is to confront the viewer with nature, lessening the force of architecture by making such things as handrails effectively disappear.

“I’m trying to get people to notice what they take for granted in a landscape, to reveal multiple aspects of the site,” Miss says. “The bridge seems to be a platform with no edges—I want you to feel free to see this place as you’ve never seen it before.” In the 1970s, the art historian and critic Rosalind Krauss placed the work of artists like Miss in a new conceptual framework of practice, in an expanded field that included “site construction.” For Krauss, these artists did not work in the conventions of sculpture, but in a category that existed between traditional notions of landscape, architecture, and sculpture.

An increasing number of architects and designers embrace this notion of site development—spanning between the traditional roles of architect and landscape architect—embedding a variety of interpretations of site conditions into a new performance-based architecture of sustainable principles. But an architect must be interested enough in this new scope of opportunity, in areas such as groundwater-recharge and wastewater-treatment design, since it falls outside traditional practice.

The site of the Indianapolis project lies within an elbow of the White River, which runs from north to south, looping around the western edge of the park. A 35-acre lake, the legacy of a quarry mined to build a nearby highway, occupies the park. A canal dating to the 19th century slices the site off from the main museum building on a bluff to the east. The new park lies in a 100-year floodplain, though the park’s landscape architect, Ed Blake, wonders if the impact of global warming doesn’t make such considerations for a site as utterly dynamic as this one a little bit useless. Blake’s approach is not to keep water out, but to understand how it will travel.

“Because of flooding, you always have plants and soil coming into the site,” says Blake, the principal of Hattiesburg, Mississippi–based Landscape Studio. “It’s always in a perpetual state of disturbance.” The trick for Miss and Blake, as well as the architect for two buildings on the site, Marlon Blackwell, AIA, is to implement designs that flexibly correspond to a man-made site colonized by the forces of nature, be they water or plant.

Of an artificial nature

Each designer has incorporated the site’s inescapable presence of water into the proposed designs. Water sourced at the museum flows in a channel underneath Miss’s path and bridge down to Blackwell’s first structure, called the Experiential Center, which acts as a transitional boundary between architecture and the natural world with a rooftop pool around which visitors descend into a pavilion defined by a forest of columns. A rectangular aperturelike space 60 feet wide by 10 feet high meant for viewing the site’s expanse defines one wall of this space. The entire structure sits on what Blackwell calls the “mount,” a pile of vegetated debris left from previous construction; the mount will be more soundly reconstructed as the park develops.

A path leading north from the Experiential Center follows rain gardens planned by Blake, skirting along a constructed wetland that will recycle all water used by that building and the next, which Blackwell calls the Interpretive Center.

Read more.

Cracking and flaking

The splitting of a dry paint film through at least one coat as a result of aging, which ultimately will lead to complete failure of the paint. In its early stages, the problem appears as hairline cracks; in its later stages, flaking occurs.

POSSIBLE CAUSES:

• Use of lower quality paint that has inadequate adhesion and flexibility.Overthinning or overspreading the paint.
  
• Inadequate surface preparation, or applying the paint to bare wood without first applying a primer.
  Excessive hardening and embrittlement of alkyd paint as the paint job ages.

SOLUTION:

• Remove loose and flaking paint with a scraper or wire brush, sanding the surface and feathering the edges. If the flaking occurs in multiple layers of paint, use of a filler may be necessary. Prime bare wood areas before repainting. Use of a top quality primer and top coat should prevent a recurrence of the problem.

Basic household tool kit contents

Homeowners and apartment dwellers alike need a basic household tool kit.

You may have lots of tools for particular projects that you use infrequently, and they can be kept in a garage or workroom. But having basic tools handy in your living area makes it much more convenient to do simple home repairs.

You might keep these basic tools in a hall closet, a kitchen drawer, or in a handy tool box or plastic box on a shelf in the entry or mudroom.

It doesn't really matter where you keep them, as long as they're easy to get at for quick home repairs. You'll save lots of inconvenient trips out to the garage or down to the basement.

Your in-home basic tool kit should include these basic do-it-yourself items.

Tape Measure
You may not think you need one, but a 25-foot measuring tape will work for most jobs. Whether you measure for a tablecloth or window treatment, or a whole room for new flooring, choose one large enough to easily measure your home's spaces. A second smaller tape of 6 to 12 feet can be put in a pocket or purse for shopping trips or for hanging pictures.

Screwdrivers
Two basic screwdrivers are a necessity. Choose both a good quality flat head screwdriver and a Phillips head screwdriver in a medium size. A set of tiny screwdrivers will come in handy when you need to tighten a pair of eyeglasses or fix audio or computer equipment.

Pliers
One pliers will not do. Get a small assortment in various sizes and shapes. You'll use a needle-nose pliars most frequently, but have a heavy grooved pliers for removing nails or large staples. Wire cutting pliers are good for wiring and craft jobs.

Level
You get what you pay for here. It's important to get an accurate level for accurate positioning. A good sturdy level will last a lifetime. (These are also called "torpedo levels" due to shapes of the tapered ends.) A level is a must for straightening up pictures, drilling holes in a level line, checking tabletop alignment, or mounting towel bars perfectly.

Hammer
Whether you're hanging pictures or putting shelf supports up, a medium weight hammer will cover most household jobs. Consider other sizes if you'll be doing either delicate projects or construction.

Vice Grip
This tool resembles a pliers, but has a locking mechanism that grips and holds things tightly. Use it to grip a screw you want to remove or use two to twist sticky things apart. They provide a slip-free hold when you need it.

Assortment of Nails and Screws
You might find prepackaged sets of basic sizes at a home center or get a small divided box and put together a custom assortment that will come in handy when you hang pictures or make minor repairs.

Wire Cutters
Save your scissors with this essential tool. A wire cutter makes it easy to snip wire for crafts, electrical repairs, and other household projects.

Pencils
You'll probably need to mark a drill hole or record a measurement. Have pencils handy and write on post it notes or bits of blue painter's tape if you don't want to write on the wall.

Blue Painter's Tape
Even professional painters use this tape to mask off areas they don't want to paint. It's available in several widths and looks like plain masking tape. But this special tape is blue and can be removed from most surfaces without damage. You can use it for other household jobs besides painting. Mark stud locations with a small square when hanging a picture or installing molding. Tape off the edges of a door frame when painting a wall, or tape down runners of heavy kraft paper to protect floors from dirt and scratches when moving.

Read more

Woman arrested for kissing painting

A woman has been arrested on suspicion of kissing a painting by American artist Cy Twombly and smudging the bone-white canvas with her lipstick, French judicial officials said Saturday.

Police said they arrested the woman after she kissed the work on Thursday. She is to be tried in a court in the southern city of Avignon on Aug. 16 for "damage to a work of art," judicial officials said.

The painting, which is worth an estimated $2 million, was on display at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Avignon. It is part of an exhibition slated to run at the museum through Sept. 30. Officials did not provide further details on the painting.

Buildings painted with Snowcem Paints

Buildings and structures painted with Snowcem Paints.

Bored?

Is this film boring? You decide.

Home improvement and the real estate investor

Investing in real estate can be a very lucrative investment if it is done properly. Whether you are investing in a brand new home or an old fixer upper, all houses will gain value if you spend the necessary time and money making sure that the property is maintained. Some people may feel that improving the home is not required since they are only going to sell it anyway, but that line of thought will cost you money in the end. Your investment will gain tremendous value if you are willing to repair and remodel whatever is needed before you sell the investment property.

Some real estate investments may only need a little spring cleaning and a few minor repairs, while other investments may need to be completely redone. Properties that need more work usually cost less to purchase because of the amount and the extent of the work needed. Even properties that need a lot of repairs and renovations can be terrific investments, because their value increases significantly more than the cost of the repairs and home improvements.

Most real estate investors do not realize the importance of making home improvements. Even simple things like painting the walls or weeding the lawn and putting down a good grass seed can raise the value of your investment. You can ask for and get a much higher price for real estate if everything is in great condition. Even houses that are in good repair should be thoroughly cleaned from the top to bottom, including gutters and eaves troughs. When you are considering a property to invest in, it is a good idea to do a very detailed inspection to evaluate all repairs that need to be addressed, whether they are minor or major.

It is important that you keep all receipts for any labor and materials you purchase to repair and improve your real estate investment. When you get ready to sell your investment you will have a record of all the money you have invested in home improvement for the real estate. This will allow you to show an increased value of the home due to the home improvement. It will also enable you to sell your real estate investment faster for a larger price. In a buyer's market, the repairs and maintenance of your property may be one of the biggest sellers. No one wants to buy a home to live in and then have to take the time and money to do a lot of maintenance or repairs.

Home improvement is very important to real estate, whether you are just trying to flip a house to make a profit or you have rental property with tenants. By improving the property you will greatly improve the profit you will make from your real estate investment. A lot of real estate investors do not think about home improvement, and it costs them in the form of lower sales prices and lower monthly rents.


About the author

Joel Teo writes on various financial topics including Las Vegas Real Estate. Learn more about Las Vegas Real Estate Investing at http://www.realestateinvestment101.info

How to avoid mildew

First, you will want to remove all mildew on the surfaces. When treating mildew, you need to allow the bleach to stay on the surface for at least 20 minutes, or the mildew will not be killed (even though the color disappears), and it can grow back before long. To treat the area, use a 3:1 mixture of water and household bleach, respectively; and leave on for 20+ minutes, reapplying as it dries. Be sure to protect your eyes, breathing and skin during application and rinsing.

Rinse off the area thoroughly; then thoroughly wash the area and rinse again. For best results, apply an interior stainblocking water based primer. Then apply a quality interior satin, semigloss or gloss latex paint, depending on the appearance desired. Some kitchen and bath paints are made with an ingredient to discourage mildew growth. Use two coats of the paint.

How a traditional Chinese painting looks 3-D and animated

Amazing stuff!



via Virtual China

The colors of calm

Cool colors tend to have a calming effect. At one end of the spectrum they are cold, impersonal, antispectic colors. At the other end the cool colors are comforting and nurturing. Blue, green, and the neutrals white, gray, and silver are examples of cool colors.

In nature blue is water and green is plant life - a natural, life-sustaining duo. Combine blues and greens for natural, watery color palettes. Heat up a too cool color palette with a dash of warm colors such as red or orange. If you want warmth with just a blue palette, choose deeper blues with a touch of red but not quite purple or almost black deep navy blues.

Cool colors appear smaller than warm colors and they visually recede on the page so red can visually overpower and stand out over blue even if used in equal amounts.

The profiles for each of these cool colors include descriptions of their nature, cultural color meanings, how to use each color in design work, and which colors work best together.

• Blue
• Green
• Turquoise
• Gray
• Silver
• White

Blue Berg

Blue Berg - Spray Paint Video - Click here for more amazing videos

NEC designers develop 3-D paint

NEC designers must have been working overtime if its latest creation is anything to go by: a colored casing for its LaVie compact notebook with a unique 3D optical effect.

The LaVie G Type L Basic laptop, an expansion to NEC's existing LaVie notebook range, comes with a "snow white" outer casing as standard. However, users can now customise their machine with either a red, blue or yellow front.

But we're not talking a plain old paint job. The colored casing uses a special metallic paint which, when surrounded by a magnetic field, takes on a hologram-style criss-cross diamond pattern.

While watching paint dry might not be everyone's forte, we have to give credit to NEC for this truly wacky idea that might just give the lie to the old 'as dull as watching paint dry' adage.

Paint storage tips

If you are unable to use all your paint for a particular project or if you choose to keep a small amount of paint for touch ups or smaller projects, you will need to store the leftover paint so it remains usable. Leftover paint can last for years, however, the key to this is making sure the paint can is well sealed and stored in an appropriate location.

1. Cover the opening of the paint can with plastic wrap before closing the lid. This will help create an additional seal when the can is closed.
2. Use a mallet instead of a hammer to close a paint can, creating a good seal. Hammers can dent and bend the rim of the paint can, causing a poor seal. Mallets are gentler. By placing a small towel over the paint can lid and gently using a mallet to tap the lid closed, you will avoid damaging the rim.
3. Store the paint can upside down to create a tight seal around the lid. Generally this prevents air from entering the paint can so the paint will not dry out. Some local programs discourage this practice because if the paint goes bad, you may end up with a large chunk of paint on the lid making it difficult to open. Check with your local recycling or collection program for recommendations.
4. Store paint away from extreme heat and cold. Extremes in temperature will spoil paint and make it unusable. Keep away from freezing and hot temperatures in garages and sheds. Hot temperatures near furnaces and direct sunlight can also affect the quality of leftover paint. Store in a cool, dry area.
5. Write on the lid of each paint can the date opened, the color, brand and the room it is for. This will help you locate paint needed for touch ups and future purchases, as well as identifying paint that is no longer needed and can be donated and reused, or properly disposed of due to its age.

Read more

America, the land of waste

(Click on picture for larger image.)

Depicts two million plastic beverage bottles, the number used in the US every five minutes.

Mr Bean trying to paint his house

Mr Bean Try To Paint His House - The funniest movie is here. Find it

Different type of paint variants

• Primer is a preparatory coating put on materials before painting. Priming ensures better adhesion of paint to the surface, increases paint durability, and provides additional protection for the material being painted.
• Varnish and shellac provide a protective coating without changing the color. They are paints without pigment.
• Wood stain is a type of paint that is very "thin," that is, low in viscosity, and formulated so that the pigment penetrates the surface rather than remaining in a film on top of the surface. Stain is predominantly pigment or dye and solvent with little binder, designed primarily to add color without providing a surface coating.
• Lacquer is usually a fast-drying solvent-based paint or varnish that produces an especially hard, durable finish.
• An enamel paint is a paint that dries to an especially hard, usually glossy, finish. Enamel can be made by adding varnish to oil-based paint.
• A Roof coating is a fluid applied membrane which has elastic properties that allows it to stretch and return to their original shape without damage. It provides UV protection to polyurethane foam and is widely used as part of a roof restoration system.
• Fingerpaint
• Inks are similar to paints, except they are typically made using dyes exclusively (no pigments), and are designed so as not to leave a thick film of binder.
• Titanium dioxide is extensively used for both house paint and artist's paint, because it is permanent and has good covering power. Titanium oxide pigment accounts for the largest use of the element. Titanium paint is an excellent reflector of infrared, and is extensively used in solar observatories where heat causes poor seeing conditions.
• Anti-Graffiti paints are used to defeat the marking of surfaces by graffiti artists. There are two categories, sacrificial and non-bonding. Sacrificial coatings are clear coatings that allow the removal of graffiti, usually by pressure washing the surface with high-pressure water, removing the graffiti, and the coating (hence, sacrificed.) They must be re-applied afterward for continued protection. This is most commonly used on natural-looking masonry surfaces, such as statuary and marble walls, and on rougher surfaces that are difficult to clean. Non-bonding coatings are clear, high-performance coatings, usually catalyzed polyurethanes, that allow the graffiti very little to bond to. After the graffiti is discovered, it can be removed with the use of a solvent wash, without damaging the underlying substrate or protective coating. These work best when used on smoother surfaces, and especially over other painted surfaces, including murals.
• Anti-climb paint is a non-drying paint that appears normal while still being extremely slippery. It is usually used on drainpipes and ledges to deter burglars and vandals from climbing them, and is found in many public places. When a person attempts to climb objects coated with the paint, it rubs off onto the climber, as well as making it hard for them to climb.
• No-VOC paints, which are solvent-free paints that do not contain volatile organic compounds, have been available since the late 1980s. Low VOC paints, which typically contain anywhere between 0.3%-5.0% VOCs as coalescent, or coalescing solvent have been available since the 1960s.

Should you use oil or latex paints?

Latex paint is a great choice for most instances, but there are still situations where a solvent-based paint may be preferable. To help decide which is best in your case, consider the following:

What are the advantages of latex paints?

• They have a less objectionable odor, which makes them good for repaints and painting in occupied areas, where solvent odor is an issue.
• They clean up with soap and water; there's no need to work with hazardous and/or flammable solvents, and no used solvent to dispose of afterwards.
• Latex paints dry faster, and can be recoated sooner; this makes them a good choice for painting in occupied areas, where someone might touch or brush up against the freshly painted surface.
• Latex paint binders hold up better in sun-exposed areas, because they're more resistant to UV (ultraviolet) radiation; alkyd and oil binders will absorb more of this radiation and break down more quickly.
• Latex paint films are less prone to yellowing over time, especially with white, light off-white and pastel colors.
• Latex paint films are more breathable; they allow small amounts of water vapor to pass through the film, so the chance of blistering is reduced. This is especially important when the surface being painted is slightly damp.
• Latex paint films have better gloss and color retention, so they'll keep a 'like-new' appearance longer.
• Latex paint films are more elastic, so they can expand and contract with the substrate better; this means they'll be less likely to crack and peel over time.

What are the advantages of solvent-based paints?

• Solvent-based paints are less sensitive to application conditions, which means they can be applied over a wider temperature and humidity range (however, the surface must still be dry for good adhesion).
• Solvent-based paints can be applied in a thicker coat with less sagging, for better coverage.
• Solvent-based paints have better flow and leveling characteristics, so they'll dry to a smoother finish, with fewer brush or roller marks (this advantage is reduced somewhat for low V.O.C. alkyd paints).
• Solvent-based paints provide better surface penetration, especially on weathered wood; this means improved adhesion and better surface protection.
• Solvent-based paints have better adhesion on smooth surfaces.
• Solvent-based paints initially have a sharper, richer-looking gloss (however, they also tend to lose their gloss faster over time).
• Solvent-based paints initially provide a harder, more durable finish (however, they also tend to become more brittle over time).

Caulk Failure

Loss of caulk's initial adhesion and flexibility, causing it to crack and/or pull away from the surfaces to which it it applied.

POSSIBLE CAUSES:

• Use of lower quality caulk.
  
• Use of wrong type of caulk for a particular application (e.g., using latex or vinyl caulk in areas where there is prolonged contact with water or considerable movement of the caulked surfaces).

SOLUTION:

• Use a top quality water-based all-acrylic or siliconized acrylic caulk if prolonged contact with water is not anticipated. These caulks are flexible enough to adapt to minor fluctuations in the substrate, stretching in gaps that widen slightly over time. They also adhere to a wide range of interior building materials, including wood, ceramic tile, concrete, glass, plaster, bare aluminum, brick and plastic. Note: Silicone caulk should not be painted.

UNESCO approves of Snowcem Paints for heritage sites

Heritage is our legacy from the past, what we live with today, and what we pass on to future generations. Our cultural and natural heritage are both irreplaceable sources of life and inspiration. Places as unique and diverse as the wilds of East Africa’s Serengeti, the Pyramids of Egypt, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and the Baroque cathedrals of Latin America make up our world’s heritage.

What makes the concept of World Heritage exceptional is its universal application. World Heritage sites belong to all the peoples of the world, irrespective of the territory on which they are located.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) seeks to encourage the identification, protection and preservation of cultural and natural heritage around the world considered to be of outstanding value to humanity. This is embodied in an international treaty called the Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, adopted by UNESCO in 1972.

UNESCO's World Heritage mission is to:

• encourage countries to sign the World Heritage Convention and to ensure the protection of their natural and cultural heritage;
• encourage States Parties to the Convention to nominate sites within their national territory for inclusion on the World Heritage List;
• encourage States Parties to establish management plans and set up reporting systems on the state of conservation of their World Heritage sites;
• help States Parties safeguard World Heritage properties by providing technical assistance and professional training;
• provide emergency assistance for World Heritage sites in immediate danger;
• support States Parties' public awareness-building activities for World Heritage conservation;
• encourage participation of the local population in the preservation of their cultural and natural heritage;
• encourage international cooperation in the conservation of our world's cultural and natural heritage.

UNESCO has approved of Snowcem Paints to be used in its heritage sites.

We at Snowcem Paints are proud to be associated with UNESCO's World Heritage mission to conserve the culture and history of the world.

What is household paint?

The following is a summary of the major components that go to make up household paint products sold to consumers.

VOLATILE VEHICLE
This is the part of the paint or coatings product which evaporates. Its role is to keep the paint as a liquid for ease of application. Once applied to the surface it evaporates leaving a uniform film which then dries to form a protective coating.

Latex Paints
Latex paints use water in them with small amounts of other materials (glycols, etc.) to keep the paint uniform. The water is essentially non-toxic and the other materials are present in such small amounts in the paint product that they do not present any significant toxicity.

Solvent Paints
Solvent paints use organic solvents as the volatile vehicle. These may be a variety of solvents such as mineral spirits, alcohols and esters. They may present two health concerns: that of inhalation by people and their inherent flammability.

NON-VOLATILE VEHICLE
The non-volatile vehicle is often called the binder. It is a resin or polymer which actually forms the film of the finished paint product. Once dried, it is a fairly non-toxic material and presents no real health hazard.

Latex Paints
The non-volatile vehicle or binder in water-based latex paints is most often an "emulsion polymer", commonly referred to as latex. These latexes (or latices) are very small particles of the polymer dispersed in water (the emulsion). When the paint dries they come together to form a continuous film which holds to the surface and forms the paint film.

Solvent Paints
The non-volatile vehicle or binder in solvent-based paints varies much more than in latex paints. The most common is alkyd resin or alkyd. Alkyds are made from drying oils reacted with chemicals. They form a film by oxidation (taking oxygen from the air) and cross-linking. Alkyds may be "modified" with acrylics, urethanes or epoxies. Additionally, there are solvent-based paints that are catalyzed. These involve mixing two components together just before application.

PIGMENTS
The pigments found in paint are most often bound or encapsulated in the resin. Therefore, they are not readily available to be dispersed into the environment. The pigments used in paint serve several purposes. The pigments help: (1) to hide the surface on which they are being applied, (2) to provide a decorative effect through the particular colour of the paint film, and (3) to provide durability as well as other surface characteristics such as washability, gloss, etc. The pigments used in both latex and solvent-based paints are typically the same. A few comments about several types follow.

Hiding Pigments
The major hiding pigment used in paints, is found in white or pastel paints and is known as titanium dioxide. Titanium dioxide is relatively non-toxic and indeed is used in food and personal care items such as toothpaste.

Specialty (Extender or Inert) Pigments
These pigments are added to the paint to provide certain characteristics such as thickness, a certain level of gloss, and durability. They are usually naturally occurring products which originally were in the ground and were mined and purified for use in paint. Such pigments as calcium carbonate, talc and clay, for example, are all used extensively in paints.

Coloured Pigments
There are a variety of coloured pigments used in paint, both to impart a certain colour to it and also, in the deeper shades, to provide hiding. There are two basic kinds of coloured pigments: organic and inorganic.

Inorganic Pigments
A number of the inorganic pigments are in themselves naturally occurring. For example, iron oxide, found in many metal primers (giving it a red colour), is either of the same chemical composition as rust or its first cousin. Other pigments found in paints are the product of different chemical processes but are in themselves rather inert and would not dissolve or break down upon disposal.

Organic Pigments
Organic pigments are those which contain carbon. These provide a wide variety of colours and have relatively low levels of toxicity, not providing any major environmental concern.

Pablo Picasso's paintings

Some of Pablo Picasso's paintings in chronological order.