ToolGirl Mag Ruffman installs Windsor Faux Panels™

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3822 since July 3, 2008

Mag: This is Melody and she is building this house, and we have a little bit of a problem in that... Come over here, Mel!

OK, so she goes to the model home, right?

Melody: Yes.

Mag: And they have those beautiful floor-to-ceiling fireplace mantels.

Melody: Stone fireplace. As you walk in the house, you look straight ahead and it is just so impressive!

Mag: You are trying to rush to get into your house, right? See, it takes weeks for a mason to actually put the stone up. So, I have an idea for you. But I am going to do it myself 'cause it is a one-girl job.

Melody: OK.

Mag: So you can go shopping, it will be fun. And then, when you come back, I'll show you what I've done. It's going to be even better than what you're thinking right now. So, really, go, and come back, and I will surprise you!

Melody leaves

Mag: It's going to look just like rock, but look, it's really light, it's made of polyurethane, it's going to be beautiful!

Mag picks her tools: Drill, Saw, Square, Files and Pencil.

Short on time, Mag rents a chop saw. Sweet.

Mag levels the starter strip and screws it to the wall.

The first row locks into place. Built-in grooves lock each piece to the row below.

Mag slides the second row into position.

Cuts like butter. Mag cuts the excess off so that the edges fit together. Hardly any waste.

Practice makes perfect.

Oh, baby. Now she's ready to rock.

Mag attaches each row to the wall.

Filing the corners creates natural looking curves.

Mag screws the corners together to snug up the miters.

Mag softens the edge that meets the trim.

Mag fills gaps with sanded caulk. She never holds back on her caulk.

If you've ever wiped the nose of a toddler, you'll be good at this.

Special touch-up paints will make the caulky mess disappear.

Four hours to go before Melody comes back...

One hour left...

Mag: One, two, three, go!

Melody: Oh my God!

Mag: Do you like it?

Melody: Oh yeah, I do!

Mag: Do you swear it?

Melody: Yeah, I do, I really do, my God! It's wonderful! I am really impressed!