Repcolite Home Improvement Show

Original Air Date: 09/19/26 Episode Number: 477Episode SummaryThis week on Home In Progress, Dan covers paint store tools you've probably walked past without a second look, and explains why each one is worth having. They include FrogTape (green and yellow), the painter's five-in-one tool, a brush comb, the Handy Paint Pail, the Wooster Pelican Pail and the Wooster Sherlock system. Then he gets into ombre walls, a painted gradient where one color slowly melts into the next with no hard line between them. He explains what the look is, where it works and which direction the colors can run, then walks...

Original Air Date: 9/12/26 Episode Number: 476Episode SummaryThis week Dan tackles one of the most repeated pieces of color advice in home design — "dark colors recede, light colors advance" — and asks why it so often fails in real rooms. Digging into the perception research behind the phrase, he untangles two things the rule quietly conflates: a color fading into the background versus a surface actually appearing farther away. From there he works through seven common room situations — low ceilings, long narrow rooms, dark rooms, walls as backdrop, boxed-in rooms, ceilings as a feature, and color capping — showing how to pick color by start...

Original Air Date: 9/5/26 Episode Number: 475Episode SummaryDan kicks off the Labor Day weekend with color capping — the emerging trend of using multiple shades from one color family as you move up the walls to the ceiling — and five things to think through before you try it. Then he launches a new multi-week series on refinishing and flipping secondhand furniture, starting with the skill that comes before any of the sanding or stripping: how to walk through a thrift store, antique shop, or flea market and tell whether a piece is actually worth bringing home. Six things to check before you buy...

Original Air Date: 8/29/26 Episode Number: 474Episode SummaryDan opens with a vacation story about swimmer's itch, a chatty store clerk, and a deeply awkward attempt to warn strangers on a dock -- with one actually useful tip at the end. Then the main event: Hoosier cabinets. Dan covers what they are, why they were brilliant, how they spread into one in ten American kitchens in the early 1900s, where the name came from, why they eventually disappeared, and why people are hunting them down again today. The episode closes with four design principles pulled straight out of the Hoosier cabinet that...

Original Air Date: 08-23-2025 Episode Number: 473Episode SummaryDan opens with three lessons from the Hansen family cottage vacation -- each one stretched into home improvement territory. Then the back half of the show kicks off a new recurring series on American architectural styles, starting with the Craftsman home. Dan covers what makes a Craftsman a Craftsman, how the style began in Victorian-era England and spread across America through a furniture maker's magazine and a Sears catalog, the architects who took it to its highest form, and how to think about color if you own one.Timestamps[00:00] -- Welcome and...

Original Air Date: August 16, 2025 Re-Air Date: August 15, 2026 Episode Number: 471Episode SummaryFour topics this week. Dan opens with a segment on AI, the trades, and why professional painters are on the safe list of jobs that technology won't replace. Then a deck safety segment covering what actually causes collapses and a quick inspection checklist you can run through today. After that, a breakdown of efflorescence -- the white powdery stuff on basement walls that looks like mold but isn't -- including what causes it, why painting over it doesn't work, and how to actually fix it. The episode closes out a...

Original Air Date: 08/08/26 Episode Number: 471Episode SummaryDan's son Caleb stopped in to pick up primer and ended up on the radio. He bought his first house -- a 1901-era fixer-upper -- and has spent the past several months dealing with cat smells in a crawl space, a squirrel that chewed through wiring, a dead possum under the floorboards, and the humbling experience of learning to cut in a straight line for the first time. The back half of the conversation covers paint choices, color coverage, the trades versus college, and what it's actually like to be six years into a...

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Original Air Date: 07/25/26 Episode Number: 469Episode SummaryA listener question about painting aluminum siding kicks off the show, and Dan splits the answer across two segments with a detour in the middle: a full conversation on how to identify and safely clean biological growth off the exterior of your home -- algae, mold, mildew, moss, and lichen. The aluminum siding answer wraps up at the end with product recommendations and a strong case for always doing two coats. Moss and lichen get their own episode next week.Timestamps[00:00] -- Show Kickoff[00:30] -- Listener Question: Aluminum Siding[01:44] -- Oxidation and Prep Basics[03:58...

Original Air Date: July 18, 2026 Episode Number: 468Episode SummarySome exterior surfaces are one-way doors. You can paint them -- but once you do, something changes permanently, or close enough to it that you should know what you're signing up for before you start. Dan opens with a story about a pair of jeans he turned into extremely short shorts without measuring first, and uses it to frame a conversation about five exterior surfaces where the same logic applies: brick, foundation, natural stone, decks, and vinyl siding.Timestamps[00:00] -- Points of No Return[00:56] -- Jorts Origin Story[02:31] -- Cut Once, Regret[06:06...

Episode TitleOriginal Air Date: 07/08/26 Episode Number: 467Episode SummaryA full episode this week. Dan picks up the smoke smell series with fabric, carpet, upholstery, and the full cigarette smoke remediation process -- including the right primer and why it's step four, not step one. Then a long segment on painting in summer heat: surface temps vs. air temps, when to start, when to quit, how to chase the cool shade, bees on ladders, and the best products for the job. He closes with a cement truck taking out his power line, his electrician son saving the day, and a case for...

Original Air Date: July 4, 2026 Episode Number: 466Episode SummaryIt's the annual Home In Progress Fourth of July Extravaganza. This year Dan covers three topics connected to the Revolutionary era: the Liberty Bell, and how almost everything most people think they know about it is a little off; colonial curb appeal, what colors those front doors actually were, and why any of that matters for your house today; and the real story of Betsy Ross -- not the polished legend, but the full picture of a feisty, independent tradeswoman who kept getting knocked down and kept getting back up. Better than the...

Episode SummaryThis week on Home In Progress, Dan opens with a story about a flaming microwave, a snowbank, and a pair of whitey tighties -- and turns it into a genuinely useful guide on getting smoke smell out of your home. He's then joined by Jeff Mot, manager of the Lakewood RepcoLite, to talk about a car show and ice cream social coming to that store on July 18. Then Dan picks up where last week's bathroom lighting conversation left off, diving into something almost nobody considers: what the color on your bathroom walls is doing to your face in the...

Episode SummaryThis week on Home In Progress, Dan dedicates the whole show to bathroom remodels -- why they're trending, and how to think one through before spending anything. He covers the tub-or-shower decision, storage planning, lighting that stops working against you, upgrades worth baking in while walls are open, aging-in-place choices, and a full closing section on painting the bathroom right. A practical episode worth saving if a bathroom is anywhere on your horizon.In This Episode[00:00] -- Bathrooms Are Trending[02:15] -- Start With What Bugs You[05:04] -- Tubs or Showers First[07:45] -- Freestanding Tub Reality Check[10:43] -- Tub to...

Original Air Date: June 2025 Episode Number: 463Episode SummaryThis week on Home In Progress, Dan tells the story of Earl Young -- a self-taught architect from Charlevoix, Michigan who never finished his degree, never drew a blueprint, and never really cared what the architecture establishment thought of him. What he left behind are some of the most unusual homes in the Midwest: curved stone walls, swooping roofs, fireplaces that feel like the center of the universe, and boulders he spent decades hauling out of Lake Michigan. Dan covers the full story -- where Young came from, how he worked, and what...

Note: This episode originally aired in June 2025. The RepcoLite Endura sale mentioned at the end ran through the end of that month.Episode SummaryThis week on Home In Progress, Dan dedicates the entire show to one topic: choosing exterior paint colors without the stress, the second-guessing, or the Smurf house. He adapts a color training that RepcoLite's own Haley developed for store employees, adds a few of his own thoughts along the way, and walks listeners through everything from basic ground rules to architectural styles to brick homes to how many colors are actually too many. Practical, thorough, and worth...

Episode SummaryDan opens with something that might ruffle a few feathers: gray exterior paint has had a long run, and it's starting to show. He talks about where the design world seems to be heading instead. Then he takes a detour into the surprisingly long and interesting story of how the tape measure came to be. From there, he walks through six practical budgeting tips for anyone with a renovation project on the horizon. And he closes out with a solid how-to on painting a front door, including one trick most people don't know that can save you from a...

Episode SummaryThis week on Home In Progress, Dan opens with something a little different -- a look at the animal kingdom's most surprising builders and tool users, and what any of us can take from that. Then he gets into the main topic: the growing number of homeowners who've decided they're staying put, and what that shift in thinking should mean for how you spend renovation dollars. Dan walks through five can't-lose projects for the forever home, including some smaller-scale, paint-friendly versions of each one for when the budget isn't there yet. He closes with four questions that can help...

Episode SummaryThis week on Home In Progress, Dan starts off with one of the more entertaining detours the show has taken in a while: spite houses. Real buildings, built by real people, for the sole purpose of making someone else miserable. Then he gets into a deep dive on two-tone kitchen cabinets, answering six questions that almost always come up when people consider taking on that project. And he closes out with deck season, including why most product claims about longevity don't hold up in Michigan, and why RepcoLite's Deck and Dock Wood Protector works differently than most of what's...

Episode Date: 05/09/26 Episode Number: 458Episode SummaryThis week on Home In Progress, Dan tackles one of the most dreaded things a homeowner can face — the smell of a dead animal somewhere in the house — and walks you through exactly how to find it, remove it, and get your home smelling normal again. Then he shifts to the practical side of Art Deco: how to bring that bold, geometric style into your own home without going overboard. And finally, Dan makes the case that paint finish is just as important a design decision as color — and shows you some surprisingly elegant tricks you ca...

In this episode of Home in Progress, Dan Hansen starts with a look at why smells have such a powerful effect on the way we experience a home. Unlike sights and sounds, odors connect quickly to the emotional and memory centers of the brain, which means a smell can instantly shape how comfortable, clean, or welcoming a house feels.That leads into a real-life odor problem involving Dan’s son’s house, several cats, a squirrel in the attic, and a dead possum under an entryway. From there, Dan lays out the most important rule for dealing with household odors: don’...

In this rerun episode of Home in Progress, sponsored by RepcoLite Paints and Benjamin Moore, Dan Hansen opens with a personal update about his golden retriever, Maggie, whose health emergency led to a change in this week’s schedule. From there, the episode revisits a practical homeowner question: does air duct cleaning actually reduce dust in the home?Dan shares listener feedback and real-world experiences with duct cleaning, noting that while some homeowners notice a cleaner smell or short-term improvement, most do not report a dramatic, game-changing reduction in dust. He explains when duct cleaning may be worth considering, especially fo...

In this episode of Home in Progress, Dan Hansen opens with a story about slicing his finger on a new rotary shredder and officially passing cheese-grating duties on to his kids. From there, he wraps up his multi-week series on what the brain wants from the spaces we live in by turning to one of the biggest design decisions of all: color.Dan explains that paint color is not just about personal taste. It also affects us biologically. He explores how color sends signals through the eye and into parts of the brain involved in stress, alertness, and emotional regulation...

In this best-of episode of Home in Progress by RepcoLite Paints, sponsored by Benjamin Moore, Dan Hansen covers two popular home improvement topics: how to reduce dust in your house and how to paint kitchen cabinets. In the first half of the episode, Dan explains what household dust actually is, where it comes from, and why some homes seem to get dusty so quickly. He breaks down common causes of indoor dust buildup, including skin cells, pet dander, fabric fibers, pollen, soil, HVAC airflow, and dirty or inefficient furnace filters. He also explains how low indoor humidity can keep dust...

Host Dan Hansen opens the episode by noting a technical mistake in the original on-air broadcast, which led to the spring painting segment being repeated—then leans into it with a quick apology and a story about how contractor Joe helped him upgrade from a box grater to a rotary cheese grater after a painful pizza-making mishap.From there, Dan dives into one of the most common spring questions: When can you actually start painting outside? He explains why air temperature alone isn’t enough, emphasizing the importance of surface temperature, dew point (keeping surfaces at least 5–10°F above it), and moi...

When can you really start painting outside in the spring? It’s not just about air temperature—and getting this wrong can ruin a project.Dan Hansen breaks down the real factors that determine whether exterior paint will succeed or fail. He explains why surface temperature matters more than air temperature, how to use an infrared thermometer to check it, and why dew point and moisture content can quietly sabotage your work. You’ll learn when wood is actually ready to paint (hint: below ~15% moisture), why frozen or damp substrates cause problems, and how to plan a smart early-season painting schedu...

Dan Hansen hosts Home in Progress by RepcoLite Paints (sponsored by Benjamin Moore), opening with a memorable—and painful—story involving a cheese grater that leads into a practical takeaway: 100% silicone caulk cannot be painted and often must be removed if used incorrectly.From there, the episode shifts into a deeper exploration of what makes a space feel like home.Hansen connects neuroscience to interior design, explaining how the brain acts as a prediction engine—rapidly evaluating environments and forming physical responses before conscious thought kicks in. Within seconds, a room can create a sense of ease or low-level friction that w...

In this episode of Home in Progress, Dan Hansen explores how overlooked spaces—especially laundry rooms—can quietly affect our mood and stress levels. Drawing on research linking cluttered, chaotic environments to higher stress, Dan argues that even small design improvements—better lighting, thoughtful organization, and especially color—can transform repetitive chores into calmer, more enjoyable routines.He explains why paint is often the simplest and most affordable way to reset a neglected space, sharing the dramatic difference a fresh coat of paint made in a dark Michigan basement.The episode also tackles a practical spring concern: water in the basement...

In this episode of Home in Progress, Dan Hansen welcomes back former co-host Hailey Johnson for a conversation that blends art, creativity, and home design.Hailey shares what she’s been doing since stepping away from the show—focusing on product and color training at RepcoLite and continuing her work as an artist and curator. One of her newest projects is Hammer Space Gallery 2.0, an artist-run exhibition space she operates out of a detached garage, created to give installation artists and experimental creators more opportunities to show their work in Grand Rapids.The conversation explores installation art—a form of art th...

On this episode of Home in Progress, Dan Hansen sits down with Ginger Herman of Suprins Group at Five Star Real Estate Leaders for a timely 2026 West Michigan real estate update — plus a behind-the-scenes look at Ginger’s own ski chalet renovation.Ginger explains that as winter fades, Michigan’s spring market is heating up. Inventory remains tight but is improving, particularly in the $350,000–$400,000 range. Bidding wars are still happening, though not as frenzied as previous years. Mortgage rates have eased compared to last year, hovering in the high-5% to low-6% range, while home prices continue their steady climb.For sellers...

In this episode of Home in Progress, Dan Hansen tackles three practical home topics that can quietly make or break your projects.First: Caulking before painting.Fresh paint exposes every gap your house has developed over time. Dan explains exactly where to caulk (baseboards, trim-to-wall joints, crown molding lines, built-ins, chair rail edges) — and where not to caulk (nail holes, drywall cracks, miter joints, floating cabinet panels). Using the wrong product in the wrong place can cause failure later. He also shares a tip on faster paint-ready caulks for projects on a tight timeline.Next: Laundry room flow upgrades.Dan co...

In this episode of Home in Progress, sponsored by RepcoLite Paints and Benjamin Moore, Dan Hansen kicks things off with a sincere thank-you to listeners and a reminder that the show is always available as a podcast—perfect for catching up anytime.Then comes the embarrassing voicemail fiasco.What starts as a cringe-worthy personal story quickly turns into a surprisingly helpful lesson about home improvement: slow down, think things through, and don’t let small mistakes snowball into bigger problems. Dan breaks down how missteps—whether in communication or remodeling—can derail projects, and how a little preparation can save time, mo...

In this episode of Home in Progress, sponsored by RepcoLite Paints and Benjamin Moore, Dan Hansen opens with a lighthearted (and slightly embarrassing) personal story that sets the tone for a thoughtful, practical conversation about our homes—and the stuff we fill them with.The episode then moves into a deeper look at memory management: how to deal with boxes of kids’ artwork, baby clothes, photos, and other sentimental items without letting them quietly take over your house. Dan shares realistic, guilt-free strategies for deciding what to keep, what to let go, and how to preserve memories without drowning in clut...

In this episode of Home in Progress, sponsored by RepcoLite Paints and Benjamin Moore, the conversation continues around organizing memories—this time shifting from digital clutter to physical photographs, with practical advice on how to curate, preserve, and store them without feeling overwhelmed.The show also explores the very real impact of the winter blues and why colder months can actually be an ideal time to tackle small home projects. We dig into the psychology behind why getting things done—especially around the home—can help improve mood, motivation, and a sense of control during the winter season.You’ll also hea...

In this episode of Home in Progress, sponsored by RepcoLite Paints and Benjamin Moore, Dan kicks things off with a lighthearted winter story before diving into two practical, surprisingly connected topics: organizing digital memories and choosing the right wood finish.The first half of the show tackles the growing stress of digital photo overload. Dan breaks down why our phones feel so cluttered, explains the critical difference between syncing and backing up photos, and outlines simple, realistic steps for freeing up storage while keeping important memories safe. Along the way, he introduces the “paradox of plenty” — why having fewer, more meanin...

In this episode of Home in Progress, sponsored by RepcoLite Paints and Benjamin Moore, the conversation starts with a teaser from the Winter Wood Shop series—then takes a sharp turn into one of the most unexpected topics we’ve covered yet.The show opens with real-world painting questions from new homeowners, including whether dark paint really covers bright pink walls better, how to temporarily paint a tile kitchen backsplash, and what to consider when tackling large trim projects in older homes where lead paint may be present. Along the way, we break down how paint bases and primers actually work...

In the first full episode of 2026, Home in Progress host Dan Hansen takes a fresh look at New Year’s resolutions—why they so often fail, and how a small shift in thinking can make them far more sustainable. Drawing on personal experience, Dan shares a practical, realistic approach to setting goals that actually stick.From there, the episode pivots to a common winter home concern: mold and mildew. Dan breaks down what mold really is, when it’s a health concern, and when it’s more of a maintenance issue. You’ll hear clear, step-by-step guidance on safely cleaning mold, choo...

In this special Best Of episode of Home in Progress, Dan Hansen blends craftsmanship, practical paint advice, and motivation to kick off your next project with momentum. First, he dives into the story of the legendary H.O. Studley Tool Chest, exploring its remarkable construction and what it can teach us about quality work, organization, and efficiency. From there, Dan shifts into paint know-how—breaking down why dedicated primers still matter, when “paint-and-primer-in-one” products fall short, and how the right prep steps can save time and frustration. The episode wraps with a practical, encouraging segment on setting goals and actually sticki...

In this special Best Of episode of Home in Progress, sponsored by RepcoLite Paints and Benjamin Moore, Dan Hansen shares a handful of favorite segments from the past year—perfect for the holiday stretch when you’re tackling projects, relaxing at home, or doing a little of both.The show opens with some weekend chatter (including a nostalgic roller-skating detour sparked by Back to the Future), then into a paint-heavy segment aimed at a classic homeowner problem: how to make a small room feel bigger without remodeling. He breaks down five practical paint strategies, including smart color choices, monochromatic palettes, and...

In this special annual Christmas episode of Home in Progress, sponsored by RepcoLite Paints and Benjamin Moore, Dan Hansen steps away from the usual home improvement topics to celebrate the season—and give back to listeners.This year’s Extravaganza includes a festive giveaway: ten $100 gift certificates, awarded to listeners who share their favorite Christmas songs, memories, or traditions via email.Dan opens the show with a humorous and heartfelt story about a long-ago family Christmas card featuring a screaming toddler—an unexpected reminder of how the most genuine moments often become the most meaningful memories. From there, the episode dives...