Ask This Old House Season 23 Episode 4: When Paint Jobs Go Right (And Combination Squares Go Missing)

The Great Bulkhead Makeover (Or: How Mauro Made Me Believe in Paint Again)

Oh friends, we need to talk about this episode. Not because it was bad – quite the opposite actually – but because it gave me feelings I wasn't prepared for on a Tuesday afternoon. You know that warm, fuzzy sensation you get when you watch someone genuinely care about their craft? Yeah, that happened. Multiple times. I'm not okay.

Let's start with Brooke and her sad, rust-spotted bulkhead door. Poor thing looked like it had seen better decades, sitting there all faded and unloved in what was otherwise a gorgeous backyard. Enter Mauro, our painting savior, who took one look at this eyesore and basically said, "Hold my primer."

But here's where it gets interesting – and where I have to give Mauro massive credit. When Brooke suggested painting it black to match her house, he gently steered her toward "black forest green" instead. This wasn't just aesthetic snobbery (though honestly, I'm here for aesthetic snobbery when it's done right). His reasoning was solid: the backyard already had beautiful green tones, and a dark green with black undertones would read as black from a distance but complement the natural surroundings up close.

Chef's kiss to that color choice. Sometimes the experts on this show just nail it, and this was one of those moments.

The Painting Process: Methodical Magic

The actual painting process was wonderfully methodical. Mauro walked Brooke through every step – the careful taping (and oh, the satisfaction of watching them get those clean tape lines), the sanding, the rust-spot treatment with metal primer, and finally the DTM (direct to metal) paint application.

Can we talk about DTM paint for a second? I had no idea this was a thing, but apparently it's specifically formulated to adhere to metal surfaces and provide better protection against rust and corrosion. The more you know, right? This is exactly the kind of practical knowledge that makes this show worth watching, even when you're just a renter whose biggest home improvement project is hanging a picture frame.

The transformation was genuinely impressive. That bulkhead went from "neighborhood eyesore" to "wait, was that always there?" in about 30 minutes of screen time. Brooke's reaction was pure joy, and honestly, that's what I'm here for.

Tom's Combination Square Masterclass (RIP to His Magnetic Square)

Then we segued into Tom's tool talk, and friends, I have complicated feelings about this segment. On one hand, watching Tom explain the various uses of combination squares was genuinely educational. The man knows his tools, and his enthusiasm is infectious. On the other hand, Kevin's prediction that the magnetic combination square would "walk off" felt a little too real.

Tom's demonstration of using the combination square for marking consistent offsets was actually brilliant. The idea of setting it once and then using it to mark parallel lines on multiple door jambs or window casings? Pure efficiency. And the depth gauge application for checking dados and rabbets? Chef's kiss again.

But let's be real – the highlight was when Tom revealed the magnetic combination square. No thumbscrew, just magnets holding it in place. Kevin's immediate reaction of "this is the last time I'm gonna see it" followed by Tom's knowing "you might have a point there" was peak This Old House humor. These guys have been doing this long enough to know exactly how tool borrowing works in real life.

The quality comparison between the different squares was eye-opening too. That weight difference was noticeable even through the screen, and Tom's point about "paying the right price in the beginning" to get something that stays true over time resonates with anyone who's ever bought cheap tools and regretted it.

Mark's Masonry Magic (Or: How to Fix Steps That Are Literally Falling Apart)

Now we get to the meat of the episode – Mark helping Tom (homeowner Tom, not tool Tom) with his deteriorating stone steps. And can I just say, this was both fascinating and mildly terrifying?

The diagnosis phase was perfect detective work. Mark immediately noticed that the problem step's face was clean while the others were dirty – indicating water was pooling instead of running off. Then he showed the actual backward pitch of the stone, complete with visible water damage and that ominous crack in the back. The freeze-thaw cycle explanation made perfect sense, and suddenly the failing step wasn't just a mystery anymore.

But here's where I got a little nervous – the removal process looked way more involved than I expected. When they lifted that granite tread and half the mortar came up as dust, I literally winced. Tom (homeowner Tom) asking if it was "supposed to be like play sand" was both hilarious and horrifying. That mortar was completely shot.

Mark's methodical approach to the repair was reassuring though. The way he explained the need to go at least 3/4 inch deep when repointing, the technique for packing mortar into corners, and especially that "fingerprint test" for knowing when the mortar was ready – these details matter. This isn't just skilled labor; it's craftsmanship.

The final result looked fantastic, but Mark's homework assignment of waiting 28 days for full cure before power washing was a good reminder that some projects require patience. In our instant-gratification world, it's refreshing to see someone emphasize proper curing time.

The Verdict: Solid Episode with Heart

This episode hit that sweet spot of being both educational and emotionally satisfying. Mauro's color expertise, Tom's tool knowledge, and Mark's masonry skills all felt genuine and hard-earned. Plus, the projects were relatable – we've all seen sad exterior paint jobs, wondered about tool quality, or worried about deteriorating steps.

My only minor complaint? The pacing felt a bit rushed, especially during the masonry segment. Mark's repair process was complex enough that it could have used a few more minutes of explanation. But honestly, that's a minor quibble in an otherwise excellent episode.

The real magic of This Old House continues to be watching skilled craftspeople care deeply about their work. Whether it's Mauro's thoughtful color selection, Tom's tool enthusiasm, or Mark's meticulous masonry technique, these folks genuinely want to help homeowners do things right. In a world full of shortcuts and quick fixes, that commitment to quality craftsmanship feels almost revolutionary.

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Have you tackled any exterior painting projects recently? Or maybe you're dealing with masonry issues? Let me know in the comments – I love hearing about your home improvement adventures (and misadventures).