Plate Outlet Covers
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 Tumbled TRAVERTINE Textured Stone Noce Resin Switch plate outlet covers $5.49 Time Remaining: 12d 20h 52m Buy It Now for only: $5.49 |
 Primitive outlet metal plate cover with a star $3.00 Time Remaining: 21h 18m Buy It Now for only: $3.50 |
 Switch Plate Outlet Cover Wall Rocker Oil Rubbed Bronze $4.95 Time Remaining: 27d 20h 26m Buy It Now for only: $4.95 |
 Aluminum Diamond Plate Electrical Wall Covers by Montezuma $6.15 Time Remaining: 10d 18h 33m Buy It Now for only: $6.15 |
 Switch Plate Outlet Cover Rocker Toggle Wall Plate Oil Rubbed Bronze $10.95 Time Remaining: 26d 22h 45m Buy It Now for only: $10.95 |
 Lot of 50 white wall outlet plates switch covers with all hardware $9.50 (4 Bids) Time Remaining: 1d |
 Zebra Print Light Switch and Outlet Covers Wall Plates room accent decor custom $12.00 Time Remaining: 4d 4h 28m Buy It Now for only: $12.00 |
 Switch Plate Outlet Cover Wall Rocker Oil Rubbed Bronze $4.45 Time Remaining: 10d 18h 30m Buy It Now for only: $4.45 |
 DUPLEX OUTLET STAINLESS STEEL COVER PLATE 1 2 3 4 GANG $1.45 Time Remaining: 19d 2h 29m Buy It Now for only: $1.45 |
 Switch Plate Outlet Cover Wall Rocker Oil Rubbed Bronze $4.95 Time Remaining: 27d 18h 6m Buy It Now for only: $4.95 |
 Large Lot of Switch Plates Outlet Covers $0.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 1d 2h 33m |
 LAMBS IVY TEAM SNOOPY LIGHT SWITCH PLATE 5 OUTLET COVERS 10 MATCHING PLUGS $18.99 Time Remaining: 17d 16h 33m Buy It Now for only: $18.99 |
 NEW BLACK BEAR SINGLE DOUBLE TRIPLE LIGHT SWITCH OUTLET RECEPTABLE COVER PLATE $14.95 Time Remaining: 28d 3h 28m Buy It Now for only: $14.95 |
 Vintage Copper Tone Flower Design Switch Plate Outlet Covers Lot of 3 $12.99 Time Remaining: 22d 8h 5m Buy It Now for only: $12.99 |
 Oil Rubbed Bronze Single GFI Decora Rocker Wall Plate Plug Electric Outlet Cover $5.95 Time Remaining: 11d 1h 4m Buy It Now for only: $5.95 |
 NEW Lot of 30 Leviton White Light Switch Plates Electrical Outlet Covers USA $12.99 Time Remaining: 1d 3h 5m Buy It Now for only: $19.99 |
 Set 2 Duplex Receptacle Plates Brass Mother of Pearl Decorative Outlet Cover EUC $12.95 Time Remaining: 29d 4h 44m Buy It Now for only: $12.95 |
 2 Leviton Black UNBREAKABLE Switch Plate Outlet Covers $1.00 Time Remaining: 23d 10h 19m Buy It Now for only: $1.00 |
 Handcrafted Burnt Copper Switch Plate Outlet Cover DP $5.25 Time Remaining: 24d 3h 12m Buy It Now for only: $5.25 |
 Set of 9 satin nickel switchplate switch plate and outlet covers Pottery Barn PB $49.95 Time Remaining: 1d 5h 38m |
 JUMBO STAINLESS Switch Plate Outlet Cover Wallplate $9.95 Time Remaining: 3h 48m Buy It Now for only: $9.95 |
 LIGHT SWITCH PLATE 3 OUTLET COVERS W TIDDLIWINKS BATIK BUTTERFLY $14.99 Time Remaining: 8d 6h Buy It Now for only: $14.99 |
 L IS FOR LADYBUG 1 SWITCH PLATE 3 OUTLET COVERS 6 MATCHING SAFETY PLUGS $16.99 Time Remaining: 10d 6h 12m Buy It Now for only: $16.99 |
 Oil Rubbed Bronze Single Duplex Wall Plate Plug Electric Outlet Cover 65049 ORB $4.65 Time Remaining: 18d 5h 7m Buy It Now for only: $4.65 |
 4 Solid Cast Vintage Antique Metal Switch Plate Covers outlet lighting plug old $20.50 (3 Bids) Time Remaining: 1d 18h 42m |
 2 Leviton Gray Switch Plate Outlet Cover Wallplates $1.18 Time Remaining: 22d 2h 4m Buy It Now for only: $1.18 |
 NEW WHITETAIL DEER ANTLER SINGLE DOUBLE LIGHT SWITCH OUTLET RECEPTABLE COVER $13.95 Time Remaining: 22d 2m Buy It Now for only: $13.95 |
 Gold Cast Victorian Rose Vine Metal Outlet Switch Plate Covers Paint White NEW $7.99 Time Remaining: 3d 10m Buy It Now for only: $7.99 |
 COFFEE ESPRESSO 11 PLATES LIGHT SWITCH OR OUTLET $6.19 Time Remaining: 29d 5h 22m Buy It Now for only: $6.19 |
 COFFEE CAPPUCCINO CUP ITALY CLASSIC SINGLE DUPLEX OUTLET COVER PLATE $4.99 Time Remaining: 2d 22h 10m |
 Handcrafted Burnt Copper Switch Plate Outlet Cover ST $5.25 Time Remaining: 27d 20h 17m Buy It Now for only: $5.25 |
 Leviton Ivory UNBREAKABLE Switch Plate Outlet Cover $2.25 Time Remaining: 20d 4h 37m Buy It Now for only: $2.25 |
 DUPLEX OUTLET PLASTIC WALL COVER PLATE1 2 3 4GANG WHITE $0.99 Time Remaining: 19d 1h 38m Buy It Now for only: $0.99 |
 5 NIP Outlet Cover Plates Metal Commercial Grade From High School NEW Brown $6.50 Time Remaining: 3d 6h 28m |
 8 Gold Brass Metal Outlet Switch Plate Cover New Shabby $24.99 Time Remaining: 7d 18h 14m Buy It Now for only: $24.99 |
 Vintage Brass Flower Design Switch Plate Outlet Covers Lot of 8 $21.99 Time Remaining: 22d 7h 43m Buy It Now for only: $21.99 |
 Switch Plate Outlet Cover Wall Rocker Oil Rubbed Bronze $7.95 Time Remaining: 27d 51m Buy It Now for only: $7.95 |
 LOVE PEACE SIGN LIGHT PLATES SWITCH OR OUTLET COVER $5.19 Time Remaining: 25d 3h 19m Buy It Now for only: $5.19 |
 Vintage Metal Outlet Covers and Switch Plate $39.95 Time Remaining: 3d 19h 46m Buy It Now for only: $64.95 |
 13 Victorian Rose Vine Metal Outlet Switch Plate Covers $54.99 Time Remaining: 25d 8h 13m Buy It Now for only: $54.99 |
 Leviton Ivory UNBREAKABLE Switch Plate Outlet Cover $3.95 Time Remaining: 4h 26m Buy It Now for only: $3.95 |
 PINK FLAMINGO 5 OUTLET COVER PLATE $5.19 Time Remaining: 28d 5h 35m Buy It Now for only: $5.19 |
 Vintage Silver Metal Flower Design Switch Plate Outlet Covers Lot of 2 $7.99 Time Remaining: 22d 8h 31m Buy It Now for only: $7.99 |
 lot of 26 electrical light switch covers outlet plates wall plates red plastic $7.95 Time Remaining: 3d 20h 43m |
 RAGGEDY ANN AND ANDY 2W OUTLET COVER PLATE $5.19 Time Remaining: 23d 7h 12m Buy It Now for only: $5.19 |
 KISS MUSIC BAND 1 OUTLET COVER PLATE $5.19 Time Remaining: 16d 6h 9m Buy It Now for only: $5.19 |
 Lot of 20 Switch plates and outlet covers Mostly new See pictures $4.99 Time Remaining: 6d 1h 55m Buy It Now for only: $4.99 |
 Vintage heavy guage brass plated chrome outlet covers $8.00 Time Remaining: 4d 1h 53m |
 Lilly Pulitzer 3 Piece Set Light Switch Plate And Outlet Covers Room Decor $9.00 Time Remaining: 19d 23h 33m Buy It Now for only: $9.00 |
 Oil Rubbed Bronze Double GFI Decora Rocker Wall Plate Plug Electric Outlet Cover $7.95 Time Remaining: 11d 1h 9m Buy It Now for only: $7.95 |
 LSU Tigers Light Switch Plate And Outlet Covers Football Touchdowns Scores $14.95 Time Remaining: 2d 23h 40m Buy It Now for only: $14.95 |
 KIDSLINE COUNTRY SIDE SWITCH PLATE OUTLET COVERS $17.99 Time Remaining: 29d 6h 5m Buy It Now for only: $17.99 |
 Vintage heavy guage brass plated chrome outlet covers $5.00 Time Remaining: 4d 1h 59m |
 LAMBS IVY LIL DINO SWITCH PLATE OUTLET COVERS PLUGS $16.99 Time Remaining: 17d 16h 33m Buy It Now for only: $16.99 |
 13 Gold Cast Victorian Rose Vine Metal Outlet Switch Plate Covers Paintabl White $54.99 Time Remaining: 20d 5h 33m Buy It Now for only: $54.99 |
 Miami Hurricanes Light Switch Plate and Outlet Covers F ootball $14.95 Time Remaining: 10d 21h 20m Buy It Now for only: $14.95 |
 COW AMERICAN FLAG GATE FOLK COMBO SWITCH OUTLET COVER PLATE $7.99 Time Remaining: 28d 9h 30m Buy It Now for only: $7.99 |
 4 gang switch outlet plate cover solid $5.00 Time Remaining: 4d 4h 37m |
 WATER LILY BY MONET OUTLET COVER PLATE 1 $5.99 Time Remaining: 20d 23h 18m Buy It Now for only: $5.99 |
 Vintage Hall Mack Citation Switch Outlet Plate White Gold Cover Metal Colonial $9.95 Time Remaining: 29d 4h 44m Buy It Now for only: $9.95 |
 Houston Texans Single Outlet Plate Cover $4.99 Time Remaining: 22d 6h 5m Buy It Now for only: $4.99 |
 Vintage American Tack Hardware Gold Switch Brass Outlet Plates Covers $10.56 Time Remaining: 6d 1h 51m |
 Switch Plate Outlet Cover Wall Rocker Oil Rubbed Bronze $5.95 Time Remaining: 18d 2h 12m Buy It Now for only: $5.95 |
 VINTAGE RETRO FUNKY BRASS STARBURST SUNBURST DUAL PLUG OUTLET COVER PLATE $9.71 Time Remaining: 23d 20h 22m Buy It Now for only: $9.71 |
 Leopard Print Single Outlet Switch Plate Cover $4.99 Time Remaining: 23d 8h 55m Buy It Now for only: $4.99 |
 SpiderMan Light Switch Plate Cover 3 Outlet Covers matching safety plugs $16.99 Time Remaining: 22d 6h 35m Buy It Now for only: $16.99 |
 9 Vintage Bakelite Duplex Outlet Cover Plates NOS $9.99 Time Remaining: 6d 7h 25m |
 LAMBS IVY ZOOFARI LIGHT SWITCH PLATE 4 OUTLET COVERS 8 MATCHING PLUGS $19.99 Time Remaining: 17d 16h 28m Buy It Now for only: $19.99 |
 COW AMERICAN FLAG GATE FOLK COMBO OUTLET SWITCH COVER PLATE $7.99 Time Remaining: 28d 9h 25m Buy It Now for only: $7.99 |
 25 Leviton 86003 Ivory Outlet Cover Wall Plates $5.99 Time Remaining: 26d 8h 59m Buy It Now for only: $5.99 |
 Beautiful Roses Light Switch Plate And Outlet Covers Gardens Bouquets Rose $14.95 Time Remaining: 15d 5h 54m Buy It Now for only: $14.95 |
 Vintage Amerock Carriage House Antique Brass Receptacle Outlet Plate Cover $7.50 Time Remaining: 6d 10h 38m Buy It Now for only: $9.00 |
 BABY SNOOPY ON MOON AND STARS OUTLET COVER PLATE $5.19 Time Remaining: 18d 4h 14m Buy It Now for only: $5.19 |
 DINOSAUR 2 OUTLET COVER PLATE $5.19 Time Remaining: 18d 4h 16m Buy It Now for only: $5.19 |
 Houston Texans Single Outlet Plate Cover Blue $4.99 Time Remaining: 22d 5h 52m Buy It Now for only: $4.99 |
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Painting Walls: Preparation, Preparation, Preparation
Preparation is the most important aspect of a successful paint job. Take your time and prepare walls for painting with the utmost attention to detail. You are probably anxious to get a new color up on your walls, but it is detail that is critical to achieve a satisfactory end result. An evenly done wall devoid of cracks will use less paint, while still managing to look great at the finish of your project. The time spent for the preparation before painting is the main factor that will ensure a top quality job, the protection of your home's value and your own safety, too. And fortunately, preparing a wall for painting is easy to do!
To begin, clear the wall of anything which might be attached to it such as curtain rods or other fasteners. Take down curtains or window coverings.
Switch off the electricity at the circuit breaker and remove all the fixtures from the walls, including switch plates, outlet covers, and light fixtures or lamps. Cover any exposed wires to prevent them from being coated in paint by wrapping them in black electrical tape or an old grocery bag.
If you are looking to camouflage unsightly spots near the corners of your windows and doors, painter's tape is the answer to those eyesores. (Masking tape works in a pinch, but for professional-looking results at no additional cost, using the blue painter's tape works better and comes off easier than regular masking tape.) Another option is to take off the trim with a pry bar and shims.
Fill cracks and small craters with wall filler and use sandpaper to smooth. You can easily and rapidly fill in small holes with putty, whether created by nails, animals, or steel-toed boots (flour or cornstarch and water work well in a pinch).
Vacuum the walls or use a dry shop cloth to remove any dust once any wall defects have been repaired. After that, use a tri-sodium phosphate (TSP) solution and a thirsty sponge to remove any debris from the walls and surrounding area. Rubber gloves are recommended for protecting your hands during this step.
A clean water rinse and ample drying time is required before you continue. It's hard to wait when you're eager to finally get some paint on the walls, but do be sure that the walls are 100% dry first.
These steps are all you MUST really do to prepare a wall for painting, but it is highly recommended that you always apply a good quality primer (that is well-matched to your surface) before the paint itself is applied.
It should go without saying that the older or more damaged a wall may be, the longer and harder one must work on it to achieve a satisfactory paint job result. A little bit of preparation can make all the difference between a paint job that revitalizes your room, and one that just looks crummy. But by following these steps, you will be well prepared to paint your walls and have the end result look fabulous!
About the Author
Chuck Kosmider writes
home maintenance tips
and other
home and garden
solutions for HowToDoThings.com.