Episodes

  • Finding What You Love; Painting Tips and Stories from Contractor Turned Rep; Caulk Removal Made Easy

    Finding What You Love; Painting Tips and Stories from Contractor Turned Rep; Caulk Removal Made Easy
    Mar 8 2025
    In this episode of the RepcoLite Home Improvement Show, sponsored by Benjamin Moore, Dan discusses various topics ranging from personal anecdotes to practical home improvement tips. A story about the pursuit of a quirky antique sets the stage for an important life lesson about joy and personal taste. The episode also features an interview with Chad Danforth, a former painting contractor turned RepcoLite sales rep, who shares his journey and valuable insights into painting products and techniques. Additionally, the host provides a detailed guide on effectively removing old caulk, emphasizing the surprising effectiveness of caulk remover spray.CHAPTERS00:00 Introduction and Show Overview01:21 Madi's Antique Adventure03:53 The Lesson from Iris Apfel05:46 Interview with Chad Danforth07:20 Chad's Painting Mishap13:03 Chad's Early Painting Career17:37 Ron the Zen Painter18:24 Starting Blue Whale Painting18:42 Exploring Paint Specifics with Chad19:40 Log Cabin Restoration Experience21:54 Tips for Hiring Contractors26:17 Transition to RepcoLite26:50 Favorite Painting Products and Techniques33:29 Caulking Tips and Tricks39:09 Final Thoughts and Wrap-Up
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    39 mins
  • 3 Reasons to Get Those Projects Finished; A History of Glass; Window Fixes 101

    3 Reasons to Get Those Projects Finished; A History of Glass; Window Fixes 101
    Mar 1 2025
    In this episode of the RepcoLite Home Improvement Show, Dan discusses some personal home improvement projects, including ongoing spring cleaning efforts and a repaint project he's been procrastinating on for a LONG time.... He's in the final stretches and sees the error of his procrastinating ways.He also presents a historical overview of glass evolution, from ancient discoveries to modern-day window technologies, and expert tips for solving common window problems like drafts, condensation, and operational difficulties.00:00 Welcome to the RepcoLite Home Improvement Show00:16 Weekend Plans and Spring Cleaning Optimism01:26 The Great Spare Room Cleanup02:46 The Living Room Paint Disaster09:03 A Creative Solution to Peeling Paint13:13 The Benefits of Tackling Indoor Projects Now15:57 The Lesson Learned from Tackling a Daunting Task17:24 Encouragement to Tackle Nagging Projects17:54 Listener Engagement and Giveaway Announcement18:38 Introduction to the History of Glass20:05 The Evolution of Glass Through the Ages29:31 Common Window Issues and Solutions38:59 Final Thoughts and Wrap-Up
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    39 mins
  • Real Estate Masterclass with Ginger Herman

    Real Estate Masterclass with Ginger Herman
    Feb 22 2025
    In this episode of the RepcoLite Home Improvement Show, sponsored by Benjamin Moore, host Dan Hansen kicks things off with a story about a texting mishap involving his sister and emojis. The show then transitions into an insightful discussion with Ginger Herman from Sue Prins Group, Five Star Real Estate Leaders, covering a range of real estate topics. They explore the current state of the market as we move from winter to spring, including buyer and seller strategies, the impact of interest rates, and the resurgence of home design trends like color drenching and natural wood elements. Ginger provides valuable advice for sellers and buyers, emphasizing the importance of early preparation and pre-approval. The episode wraps up with a look at common real estate mistakes and practical tips for navigating the market.CHAPTERS00:00 Funny Emoji Mishap02:07 Introduction to Today's Show03:14 Real Estate Market Update09:08 Advice for Sellers14:43 Home Design Trends19:02 Color Drenching in Home Design19:58 Memorable Home Features22:37 Trends in Wall Treatments24:10 Evolving Kitchen Cabinet Styles26:58 Funky Furniture and Home Decor28:09 Impactful Home Upgrades34:27 The Importance of Inspections35:55 Common Mistakes in Buying and Selling38:14 Final Thoughts and Contact Information
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    39 mins
  • Furniture Revival with Patty Brummel

    Furniture Revival with Patty Brummel
    Feb 15 2025
    This week on the RepcoLite Home Improvement Show, furniture refinisher Patty Brummel sits down with Dan to discuss her journey from being a registered nurse to starting her business, Mid-Life Revival. Patty touches on discovering her passion for furniture refinishing, overcoming challenges, and the rewarding experiences along the way. 00:00 A Hilarious Customer Service Story01:25 Toilet Paper Troubleshooting04:48 More Retail Adventures06:28 Introducing Patty Brummel08:31 Patty's Journey from Nursing to Furniture Refinishing13:29 Challenges and Triumphs in Furniture Refinishing19:51 Navigating Estate Sales for Furniture21:40 Effective Bidding Strategies22:04 The Importance of the Smell Test24:08 Handling Veneer and Repairs25:29 Sourcing Furniture: Estate Sales and More26:34 The Debate: To Paint or Not to Paint29:24 Renovating a 1920s Farmhouse33:26 Challenges and Rewards of DIY Projects38:17 Connecting with Patti Brummel38:51 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
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    39 mins
  • Battling the Winter Blues: Tips & Tricks to Brighten Your Home and Mood

    Battling the Winter Blues: Tips & Tricks to Brighten Your Home and Mood
    Feb 1 2025
    In this episode of the RepcoLite Home Improvement Show, sponsored by Benjamin Moore, host Dan Hansen delves into combating the winter doldrums through various home improvement projects. Dan discusses the impact of February's long, dark, snowy days and shares insights on how natural light, color psychology, and quick paint projects can boost your mood. From painting the inside of closets and entry doors to painting furniture and stair risers, Dan provides practical, low-cost suggestions to rejuvenate your living space. He also highlights small projects like color-blocking walls and painting the backs of shelves to brighten up any room. The episode wraps up with a call to action to make the most of the winter by planning future projects or starting on spring cleaning.CHAPTERS00:00 Introduction and February Blues03:06 Understanding Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)04:14 History and Prevalence of SAD08:30 Natural Light: A Remedy for SAD13:08 The Power of Paint to Lift Moods18:37 Small Projects to Brighten Your Home19:13 Embracing Winter Activities20:06 Combating Seasonal Affective Disorder with Creative Projects20:59 Painting the Inside of Your Closet23:23 Adding Color to Your Entry Door25:16 Painting the Edge of a Door28:14 Color Blocking a Wall30:07 Painting Stair Risers31:23 Transforming Furniture with Paint33:23 Brightening Up Shelving and Cabinets34:38 Painting a Headboard on the Wall35:51 Planning for Future Projects38:12 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
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    39 mins
  • 5 Tips for a Flawless Paint Finish; Dating Cinnamon Slate; History of Caulk; Dog Camera

    5 Tips for a Flawless Paint Finish; Dating Cinnamon Slate; History of Caulk; Dog Camera
    Jan 25 2025
    In this episode of the Repcolite Home Improvement Show, sponsored by Benjamin Moore, host Dan Hansen shares personal stories and practical advice. He kicks off the show talking about the cold weather challenges with his dogs, Maggie and Fern, particularly Fern's outdoor bathroom behavior. Hansen then dives into an in-depth guide on the importance of sanding primer before painting. The episode continues with a quirky overview of Benjamin Moore's Color of the Year for 2025, Cinnamon Slate, presented as a dating profile. The show then explores the history of caulk and caulking, tracing its origins from ancient shipbuilding to modern home construction, and concludes with a review of a $30 dog-monitoring camera, the Wyze Cam OG, that Dan finds invaluable for keeping an eye on his mischievous dog, Fern.
    • WYZE CAM OG on AMAZON

    CHAPTERS00:00 Introduction and Weather Woes00:19 Dog Tales: Maggie and Fern06:22 The Importance of Sanding Primer13:22 Benjamin Moore's Color of the Year 202515:41 Meet Cinnamon Slate19:06The History of Caulking20:01 The Gilgamesh Epic and Early Caulking21:43 Evolution of Caulking Techniques26:57 The Invention of the Caulking Gun30:10 Modern Caulking Materials and Techniques31:35 Repcolite Caulk Sale33:16 Dog Monitoring Camera Review39:07 Conclusion and Sign-Off
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    39 mins
  • Optimizing Home Improvement: Paint, Primers, and Goal-Setting Hacks for the New Year

    Optimizing Home Improvement: Paint, Primers, and Goal-Setting Hacks for the New Year
    Jan 18 2025
    Get ready for a fun and insightful episode of the RepcoLite Home Improvement Show, sponsored by Benjamin Moore! Whether you're tackling a home project, setting goals for the New Year, or just looking to make your weekend a little brighter, we've got you covered.We kick things off with some brilliant tips to help you make yourself look taller (yes, you read that right!) and discover clever paint tricks to make small rooms feel spacious and inviting.From there, we dive into the world of primers and why they’re essential, even in the age of paint-and-primer all-in-one products. Not sure what to use? We’ve got the tips to make your next paint job a masterpiece.Finally, we wrap things up with practical advice for turning your New Year's resolutions into lasting achievements. Tune in for a mix of laughs, practical insights, and home improvement know-how to kick off the New Year right!CHAPTERS00:00 Weekend Greetings and Roller Skating Nostalgia02:00 New Year's Resolutions and Mind Tricks02:56 Height Hacks: Look Taller Instantly12:58 Paint Tips: Making Small Rooms Look Bigger19:01 The Truth About Primers19:55 Innovative Combo Products23:01 The Reality of Paint and Primer Combos23:58 The Importance of Dedicated Primers26:40 Quicksand Multi Surface Primer Sale29:23 New Year's Resolutions vs. Goals33:34 Setting SMART Goals37:26 Maintaining Long-Term Success with Goals39:12 Conclusion and Wrap-Up
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    39 mins
  • Journey into the Trades: Ginger Martin’s Inspiring Path

    Journey into the Trades: Ginger Martin’s Inspiring Path
    Jan 11 2025
    In this episode of the RepcoLite Home Improvement Show, sponsored by Benjamin Moore, Dan kicks off the new year with an inspiring interview featuring Ginger Martin, a skilled carpenter and founder of the Crafty Carpenter DIY Academy.Ginger shares her journey as a woman in the trades, reflecting on her family's deep roots in carpentry and the challenges and triumphs she’s faced along the way. Through her engaging discussion, Ginger emphasizes the value of learning DIY skills, tackling home projects, and fostering confidence in the process.Listeners will also hear about the many benefits of pursuing a career in the trades, from acquiring practical, lifelong skills to the empowerment that comes with mastering hands-on work.For the full interview, visit RepcoLite's YouTube channel and don’t forget to subscribe for more content.HELFPUL LINKS
    • Ginger's Interview on YouTube
    • The Crafty Carpenter DIY Academy
    • The Crafty Carpetner YouTube Channel

    CHAPTERS00:00 Introduction and New Year Greetings00:23 Exciting Interview Announcement01:08 Meet Ginger Martin: A Carpenter's Journey01:54 Family Legacy in Carpentry03:27 Breaking the Mold: Ginger's Determination04:43 Challenges and Triumphs in the Trades08:38 The Importance of Trades Education13:45 Learning from Mistakes16:33 Empowering DIY Skills19:01 Welcome Back to the Show19:25 Ginger Martin's DIY Adventures19:55 Building Confidence Through Fixing Things24:30 Starting the Crafty Carpenter Academy25:28 Empowering Women in Carpentry25:57 The Importance of Learning Basic Skills26:23 Future Vision for the Crafty Carpenter Academy34:33 Encouraging the Next Generation in Trades38:42 Final Thoughts and Farewell
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    39 mins