Tackling a To-Do List
It’s easy to let little fix-it projects slide, telling yourself you’ll get around to them eventually. But then they start to pile up, and suddenly you see imperfect surfaces, gaping holes, and left-to-languish jobs everywhere you look. Nobody understands the situation better than Hyde Tools—that’s why their (very relatable) slogan is “Start somewhere!” Fortunately, the company’s smartly designed, multipurpose tools will let you tackle those sidelined tasks more easily and efficiently than you ever thought possible. If any of the following chores sound familiar, you'll appreciate the tips on how Hyde Tools can help you cross them off your to-do list today.
The Hard Way: Filling Holes in Drywall
Whether you've been calling that hole in the wall a memento of a wild party or you've simply hung a poster over it, you've avoided repairing it. And for good reason! In your experience, the patching process is a major pain that requires cutting a piece of drywall to fit, perhaps attaching furring strips, and applying several coats of compound...
The HYDE Way: Apply Wall Patches with Ease
Now, you can cover holes, cracks, and imperfections up to 4 inches in diameter in no time at all with the Better Finish™ Wall Repair Patch Kit (available at hydestore.com; $11.99). The kit includes everything you need to make a speedy repair: a self-adhesive steel patch, two resealable tubes of joint compound, a 6-inch joint knife, even a sheet of sandpaper to smooth out the edges of the repair before you repaint. Simply press the patch over a hole, squeeze your compound, and spread. Two coats of compound later and—"holey" moly!—it’s like it never happened!
The Hard Way: Scraping Away Ugly Old Caulk
You’ve been turning a blind eye to that moldy caulk around the tub. The very thought of tearing it out and replacing it makes you tired. You really don't want to haul out all those tools and sacrifice all that time, but now company’s coming for the weekend...
The HYDE Way: Replace Caulk with One Tool
That gross gunk will glide right off when you employ the high-impact plastic blades of Hyde Tools’ multitasking Caulk Aid (available at hydestore.com; $4.69). Even stubborn caulk in tight corners lifts off easily when you apply the sharp point of this handy tool! With the old stuff gone, use the tube cutter to start a fresh tube of caulk, then follow up with the padded end to give a smooth, professional finish to the new bead you just put down.
The Hard Way: Dealing With Uneven Color in Old Paint
It was an impulse purchase: You snagged some paint on sale, the perfect color for your pantry—or was it the linen closet? Whatever, months have gone by, and you still have yet to pick up a brush...
The HYDE Way: Speed-Mix Settled Colors with a Drill Attachment
We get it: Painting is everybody’s good intention, but nobody’s favorite job. The good news is, you can salvage that can of paint that's been sitting around a little too long if you turn to the flexible “fingers” of Hyde Tools’ Stir Whip (available at hydestore.com; $8.79). After all, thorough mixing is the secret to an even coat of paint, and this unique, versatile tool with a steel hex shank and nylon head makes the task a snap. It even reaches down to the bottom and along the edges of paint containers for easy, complete mixing. Just attach the tool to your drill and blend materials of any viscosity; thanks to its low drag, it won’t burn out your battery.
The Hard Way: Spackling Holes in Walls with a Host of Tools
When you put up that photo wall, you figured you’d love it forever. Now, not so much. You'd take it down, but you don't want to deal with spackling all those leftover nail holes that will mar the wall—and the inevitable “flashing” sure to show through even after you repaint. Hmm, maybe that haircut you have in that old family photo isn’t so bad...
The HYDE Way: Fill Holes with a Single Tool
With the invention of Better Finish™ Nail Hole Filler Joint Compound (available at hydestore.com; $4.10), Hyde Tools has come up with a product superior to spackle. Because the material is comparable to the joint compound used to tape and finish walls, you’ll largely avoid those unattractive reflective spots that typically appear when you paint over spackle. Even better, the built-in applicator makes it easier to use than spackle—a plus if you’re facing a lot of holes. You are, you say? No sweat: A three-ounce tube can fill more than 300!
The Hard Way: The Daunting, Dust-Filled Task of Refinishing
That once beautiful oak coffee table has become an eyesore of stains, scratches, and water rings. Too bad sanding it is bound to kick up so much darned dust! Well, that’s what coffee table books are for—as long as no one picks them up and sees what they hide...
The HYDE Way: The Dust-Free Route to a Fresh Finish
Eliminate up to 95 percent of the fallout from sanding with the Dust-Free Sponge Sander™ kit (available at hydestore.com; $14.99). This tool works with your wet/dry vacuum; simply attach the lightweight hand sander (it comes with two medium-grit sanding sponges and an adapter for the hose) and get busy. The job will go so smoothly and cleanly, you’ll be inspired to move on to all those other refinishing projects you’ve been putting off.
The Hard Way: Waiting for the Paint to Dry Mid-Job
Your kitchen cabinet doors have taken their share of dings, and now that wear and tear really shows. Too bad painting them is bound to be a messy, tedious chore—not to mention time-consuming as you wait for one side to fully dry before you can start on the other. Maybe just dim the lights? Not so safe for cooking, but no one would have to see the condition of those cabinets...
The HYDE Way: Rest Paint Projects on Pyramids to Reach All Sides
Pull out a set of Painter’s Pyramids (available at hydestore.com; $9.62)! These small plastic problem solvers will lift the cabinet doors two inches off the work surface for extra maneuverability and hold them steady as you go. Plus, paint won’t stick to the rounded points, so you can flip the doors over as soon as you’ve done one side to paint the other. Those doors will be done in half the time! Use them again and again, too: Painter’s Pyramids hold up to 200 pounds and can easily be mounted to sawhorses and worktables, so you’ll no doubt move on to other cumbersome items of all shapes and sizes that need refreshing.
The Hard Way: Taping Off Before Every Paint Job
The holidays have a way of sneaking up on you, and suddenly the time for a cosmetic redo of the guest bathroom is now! You’ve got great ideas, but not a lot of time. While you could call in a pro, that would be tough on your wallet at the wrong time of year...
The HYDE Way: Substitute a Shield for Tape
A fresh coat of paint? A wallpaper accent? Jazzing up that trim? However you choose to bring new life to a room, reach for the 11-1/2" Mini Guide™ Paint Shield & Smoothing Tool (available at hydestore.com; $4.38). This all-in-one wonder is your go-to as a paint shield, a wall-covering and drywall compound smoother, and a straightedge for trimming. It makes cutting in so easy, you won’t even bother taping off, and its stainless steel blade extends beyond the handle to reach into corners for more control. Smooth has never been so simple!
Don't Miss!
If you have the money to hire a handyman for every household woe, go ahead. But if you want to hang on to your cash and exercise some self-sufficiency, check out these clever products that solve a million and one little problems around the house. Go now!
