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In this episode:

In Build It, Tom and Kevin build a modern storage bench out of a single sheet of MDF and then Mauro paints it; Richard travels to Seattle to help a homeowner whose shower runs cold whenever there’s a demand for hot water elsewhere in the house.

Build It | MDF Storage Bench

Tom and Kevin build a modern storage bench out of a single sheet of MDF.

Where to find it?

Tom likes MDF because it’s durable and it’s a fairly inexpensive material to work with. He points out that the big downside to MDF is that it doesn’t do well if it gets wet. It is also extremely heavy and will often require two people to work with it. It can be found at home centers.

The wood glue Tom used for the bench is manufactured by Gorilla Glue.

The top cushion is the Montlake Bench Cushion, manufactured by Classic Accessories.

The baskets that Tom selected are the Rattique Storage Totes in Taupe, manufactured by Whitmor.

The other tools and materials Tom and Kevin used to build the bench, including the track saw, sander, and sandpaper, can be found at home centers.

How to Replace a Shower Cartridge

Richard travels to Seattle to help a homeowner whose shower runs cold whenever there’s a demand for hot water elsewhere in the house.

Where to find it?

Depending on which company manufactured the valve, there may be some variations to how the valve cartridge is replaced. This homeowner had a Moen valve and the replacement parts were manufactured by Moen. They can be found at most home centers and plumbing supply stores. They sometimes come with a cartridge removal tool, so it helps to get the replacement cartridge before starting the work.

The screwdriver and pliers Richard used can be found at home centers.

How to Paint MDF Furniture

Mauro demonstrates the best way to paint furniture built out of MDF.

Where to find it?

To prevent water from damaging the MDF, Mauro recommends using an oil-based primer, since it repels water. For this bench, Mauro used BIN shellac base primer, manufactured by Zinsser.

For the top coat, Mauro used Benjamin Moore Advanced in “Simply White” with a semi-gloss finish. The top coat is a water-based paint.

The other painting materials Mauro used, including the wood filler, paint brushes, and rollers, can all be found at home centers and paint supply stores.

Special assistance with this project was provided by Mauro’s Painting.

Original Air Date: November 8, 2018 Season 17; Ep.06 23:43

Products and Services from this episode

Replacement Parts for a Shower Cartridge

Manufacturer: Moen

BIN shellac base primer

Manufacturer: Zinsser Co. (Rustoleum)

How to Paint MDF Furniture

Expert assistance: Mauro's Painting

Montlake Bench Cushion for the MDF Storage Bench

Manufacturer: Classic Accessories

Taupe Rattique Storage Totes for building an MDF Storage Bench

Manufacturer: Whitmor

Wood glue for building a MDF Storage Bench

Manufacturer: The Gorilla Glue Company