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We’ve all been there; you’d been making some good progress on a DIY project, and then you picked up a hammer and nails and somehow ruined it all. It happens! When you’re trying to refine your DIY skills and make something unique and totally your own, it’s easy to be disheartened by setbacks. But salvaging a bad DIY project isn’t impossible and, with a bit of repair knowledge and the drive to pick up where you went wrong, you could get your project back on track in no time at all. 

Here are a few things to consider trying:

Come Back Later

The first thing to do in this situation is take a deep breath and walk away. You’re not going to be able to find a fix when you’re frustrated. Give it at least a couple hours, have a snack and a drink, and then come back with a refreshed pair of eyes. You might be able to spot a few new things you can do or, at the very least, be able to work out where you went wrong. 

Update Your Tool Kit

Working with defective or inefficient tools is a sure way to add time and frustration to a project.  So if you’ve been trying your hand at a new project and nothing seems to be going right, check the state of your tool kit. Is something missing? Are you using a faulty tool that might even be dangerous? You may want to find a nearby Ace Hardware Store and get some new and better tools.  It’s never a bad idea to upgrade to more hardy and efficient tools that’ll get your job done quicker. 

Strip, Sand, And Seal

For projects that deal with wood (and no internal heating, wiring, or plumbing systems), the fix could actually be quite easy. If you’ve applied a paint or finish that isn’t looking good, try stripping it off again, sanding things down for a smooth and safe surface, and then applying a wood seal to protect the material you’re working with. Once you’ve got this much done, you can plan the next step for your wood project. Just make sure that the seal you apply is compatible with the paint or finish that you plan to use over it.

Whether you’re working on your front door, your window frames, your kitchen cabinets, or any other wood surface, preparing it properly first always brings better results. 

Call A Professional

Of course, there’s no harm in just calling in a professional. You don’t want to potentially make a structural problem any worse, especially if you’re working with difficult and/or dangerous systems like plumbing or wiring. Clear the area, call a professional, and then try your hand at a smaller DIY project to build your skills for the future. 

A bad DIY project is only a few steps away from being a good one! Take a step back, make sure you’ve got the right tools, and then try again.

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