Tried to swap out a single old light fixture. Four hours and one ugly patch job later...

I thought it would be a quick 20 minute project before dinner. But the previous owner had painted over the mounting screws so many times I couldn't budge them. Then I stripped one. Then the wires crumbled when I touched them. By the time I gave up and just covered it with a bigger base plate, I'd burned my whole evening. Has anyone else had a simple home fix turn into a whole weekend thing?

3 comments

3 Comments

wilson.joseph20d ago

Four hours and one ugly patch job later" - oh man, that brings back memories lol. I finally learned to just plan for twice as long as YouTube says and keep a bottle of WD-40 handy, that stuff saves me more than I'd like to admit.

charlescraig20d ago

Honestly saw a tip online to freeze the WD-40 can and spray it upside down for rusted bolts.

linda_dixon4920d agoTop Commenter

Freezing the can and spraying it upside down? Come on now, that sounds like one of those internet tricks that just makes a mess. I mean, if you've got a rusted bolt that bad, WD-40 isn't going to save it anyway. You're better off with a real penetrating oil and a breaker bar. Four hours on a patch job is just bad planning, not a WD-40 problem.