Well, I tried to burn the house down. I was testing out some epsom salt bubble bath, since it's a new project, and I was sore. Anyways, I lit my candles, started relaxing with a book, then thank god, I sat up to play with the bubbles, because just then, the lighter I used to light the candles (still on the edge of the tub) exploded and hit me in the shoulder. The top part was facing the other direction, so I only got a very minor burn, but the shower curtain that was folded up at at the railing thing (to keep it away from the candles) burst into flames, caught the toilet paper on fire and was licking at the ceiling. I was trying to scream to George and put it out at the same time, but this stuff was thick, black and I couldn't do too much more than gag. George finally got up the stairs to figure out what the ruckus was. Perfect timing too, because I had dropped the water container I was using to put out the flames because I was on my knees gagging!! He got it the rest of the way out, and there isn't too much damage. We lost the shower curtain and the toilet paper. I figured George would be pissed because the ceiling is pitch black, and even out into the hallway everything is covered in the soot. He just says "well, we needed a new shower curtain anyways" All I can think is how lucky I am... First, if the lighter had been facing the other direction, that would have been my hair all melted off, instead of the shower curtain. Second, it didn't do any major damage. I just need to replace the curtain, put new sealant on the tub, sand and paint the little half wall that is between the shower and the tub, finish washing and paint the ceilings. Pretty damn good considering what it could've been!!
ETA: I'm not entirely sure what happened with the lighter... The top was melted off, so I wonder if it had caught itself on fire without me noticing?! It wasn't near the candles or anything.
Glad you are okay sister! Those lighters can be dangerous! It probably was just defective if it wasn't close to the flame. Sometimes, they will have a small fluid leak and continue to burn without notice inside the top of the lighter. The top must have gotten too hot and melted igniting the rest of the fluid. Scarey!! Glad that was all the damage!
Thanks guys! It was definately somewhat scary... You just don't expect a lighter to randomly explode and catch crap on fire. Pretty scary to be honest. :/
You probably know this already, but invest in a can of Kilz - anywhere smoke has been, no matter how many times you paint over it, it will have a smell and a kind of oily looking residue that will bleed through the paint. Regular primer didn't solve it for me, but Kilz sealed it all (The residue and the smell) in.
Thank you! Did you use the latex or the oil based? I'm guessing latex, but not sure, lol. I really wasn't sure how well paint would work over that crap. I've been using dish detergent to get it off, but that stuff is AWFUL!
Latex, if you plan to paint over it with latex, or oil based for oil based (Also matters what the paint that's on there now is ). Clean the area well first (I liked to use tsp ), let dry well, then slap the Kilz up there! It is thicker than some primers - and don't be stingy with it - I tried buying it in the aerosol spray can, for ease of application - not good Let it dry well before painting, so it can seal up stuff good, and you can see where you may have missed a spot or gone too thin with it. Since you soap, you might also try putting a couple drops of essential oil in the paint you use for the final coat. It will release a mild scent for quite a while. I like to do that, but beware the cinnamon/apple combo. Every time the fan was on at my old, old house, the guys would get hungry
LOL! Well, he told me that there's paint down there, and guess what he's got? The exact right stuff!! How freaking awesome is that?! The old paint was ugly as sin, so I guess this isn't a complete loss... Needed a new curtain as well, and this time I'm just going with a clear liner... It gets dark in the shower with a dark curtain, and I like to see what I'm washing! I have to get a new toilet paper dispenser though, as the old one is charred pretty good, and the plastic holder definately didn't hold up at all, lol. Can you tell I'm trying to be up-beat about it?! I'm seriously nervous about bubble baths now... I know the bubble bath had nothing to do with it, but it's making me nervous. Just being in the tub to wash everything up is making me tense. I'm usually not a nervous person, especially about something I know isn't going to hurt me!