Archive for February, 2009
The Proper Care and Feeding of your TV Stand
Ok, well feeding may be a bit extreme, but proper care is certainly appropriate when discussing the piece of furniture housing or hosting your pride and joy - a 40-inch High Definition Television Set. Often much thought is put into what sort of TV to purchase, and some significant thought is even put into what type of entertainment center to put it in, but rarely do people consider how best to care for the stand itself. Here we will address a few common topics of concern that will keep your television stand looking as awesome as the TV sitting on it.
Tidying Cables
We have a love-hate relationship with cables. They are necessary, but no one wants to see them. I long for the future where everything is wireless, but I digress. Keeping cables organized and out of the way is common to owners of electronics everywhere. One thing to keep in mind when searching for a way to deal with the rats nest is that you need be able to add and remove cables at will. Don’t go for a rigid solution which is difficult to adjust later. You will certainly have a cable go out or need to add your son’s new game system just after you get everything situated. With that said, you might want to try Zip ties. You can get them at Wal-Mart or your local hardware store in a case of 50 or more. They are easy to implement, hold cables together well, and you can replace them easily when you have to add or remove something from the cable structure. Another option might be to use a PVC pipe to run the cables from the set to the power supply or other devices. You can get PVC in colors that may blend with your TV stand, and you could even slice down the length of it for easy access. If neither of those work, try looking at a specialty shop, like the Container Store, for cable ties or similar items.
Dusting
Another common concern amongst TV owners is the dust that inevitably collects on the TV stand, particularly if it is made of a tempered glass material. Accumulating dust in unavoidable, as the television creates a static charge which draws in dust like a magnet. One solution may be to wipe the screen down with a dryer sheet to neutralize the static, and leave your TV with a fresh clean smell 
Next, wipe the stand down with a damp cloth or a swiffer duster. This way you are not just throwing dust back into the air for it to land again on your TV set.
Cleaning Glass
Finally, as most media centers include something made of glass, we must address glass cleaning. To clean the smudges causes by fingers and such, try using a solution of one cup each of rubbing alcohol and water, with a tablespoon or two of vinegar. To fix a chip in the glass, try one of the auto windshield repair kits. They use a resin which seeps down into the chip and seals it off, often appearing completely unnoticeable.
Why Buy? Fixing your Current TV Stand
It happens. You have a perfectly good TV stand you are perfectly happy with, and one day out of the blue “BANG” - your pet Rottweiler chases your little kitten Snowball through the plate-glass doors and into your expensive stereo equipment. After you rescue Snowball from the pool of blood and glass, you take a breathless look at the centerpiece of your living room, begin to tear up, and start evaluating your options. You can toss your wrecked furniture in the trash (gut reaction) and go buy another one (expensive endeavor), or you can attempt to fix it (bold move) and go on a cruise with all the money you saved. Well, assuming you chose to take the road less traveled, here are some tips on repairing the more common issues with TV stands.
Broken Glass
In the scenario we outlined above, you have been left without glass doors on the front of your entertainment center - not the best look. In order to replace the doors, your first place to look would be the manufacturer of stand in question. This is going to be your cheapest option and will result in a perfect fit - no measuring required. Most manufacturers will have replacements available for order on parts - such as glass - which may break or wear out over time. Your second option, though significantly less desirable, would be to contact a local glass company. You should be able to locate one through a web search or the phone book in most urban areas. When you co-opt a company to replace your glass doors, it is critical that you get the measurements exact, in all dimensions. Let them come out and measure if possible. You will also want to keep the metal hardware from your broken doors, such as the hinge pieces and the magnetic plates, so you can reattach the doors when your glass arrives.
Cleaning Spots
Another common ailment affecting TV stands over time are spots and stains. Particularly on a wooden stand, some spots can be very difficult to remove. Your first option would be to use a stain remover. On wood, try a combination of linseed oil and salt, or for tougher stains try 1-part petroleum jelly and 2-parts turpentine. Remember to test your mixture on a small hidden area before use. If that doesn’t work, more drastic measures must be taken. You can opt to strip and re-stain it. This will leave the wood grain in place and make your stand look brand new. You can also choose to go darker with the stain, though lighter may be more difficult. Remember to sand thoroughly before you attempt to refinish it. If that seems like too much work, you could always paint it a color darker than the spot. This will not be nearly as elegant, but for a game room or spare bedroom, it may be all that is needed.
Scratches
“What if my media center is just scratched?”, you ask. Well, there are several ways to fix a scratch depending on its depth. For very small surface scratches, try rubbing the meat of an oily nut (walnuts or pecans) on the scratch. The oils will coat the scratch and lessen its appearance. For shallow scratches, apply paste wax with a No. 0000 steel wool pad. For deeper scratches, try using one of the wax sticks you can buy at your hardware or furniture store specifically for patching wood furniture. If neither of the options above work for you, it may be time to look at doing a full refinish job.