Burn, baby, burn One-third of Americans never apply sunscreen, according to Consumer Reports, but it's cheap protection against skin cancer. So slather on 2 to 3 tablespoons for adults and reapply often. Buy a 30 SPF or higher with UVA and UVB protection. For added protection while wet, check the label for "very" water-resistant. Consumer Reports rated the Walgreens Continuous Spray Sport SPF 50 a best buy ($8, 8 ounces). The continuous spray goes on clear, without rubbing.

Anyone who has dealt with skin cancer has probably looked into sunblock clothing, but for a cheaper solution, try Rit Sun Guard. It rinses a sun-protection level of 30 UPF (ultraviolet protection factor) into clothing in the wash. It can be used on clothes for adults and kids older than 6 months. It has received the Skin Cancer Foundation's seal of approval. Darker clothing with a tight weave provides the best protection. Find it at www.sun guardsunprotection.com, Amazon.com and Michael's crafts stores for $2 to $4 per box.

Made in the shades You can spend $100 or more on sunglasses, but you're not getting better protection for your eyes than with a cheaper pair. For as little as $15 at discounters, look for a pair with shatter-resistant lenses and 99 or 100 percent UVA-UVB protection on the label. Polarized lenses reduce glare when fishing, boating or driving. The American Academy of Ophthalmology suggests green lenses, although gray, amber and brown are also good.

Make a splash Blaster Board ($24) is a great multitasker. It's a water board, water blaster and water shield all in one. The pump shoots water up to 30 feet, far enough to soak a dozing parent or sibling in the chaise. Find it at Amazon.com and toy stores including Creative Kidstuff (six Twin Cities locations, www.creativekidstuff.com).

Get rid of the pits At the risk of contributing to your pile of "forgotten gadgets," I submit the cherry pitter. Make your fruit salad seedless in a snap. Both versions are slick, but the Oxo Good Grips Cherry/Olive Pitter ($13, kitchen specialty stores) takes up less space than the Cherry Chomper ($13, Goodthings, Maple Grove and White Bear Lake, www.seegoodthings.com). Sales at stores such as Sur la Table, Kitchen Window, Williams Sonoma and Cooks of Crocus Hill have been as brisk as the Rainier and Bing cherry season. The device pits olives, too. Both pitters are also sold at Amazon.com.

Make a dreaded paint job easier The HANDy Paint Pail eliminates bending over to put more paint on your brush or getting hand cramps from holding the paint can. Invented by Chanhassen-based Bercom International, the $9 quart pail has an adjustable strap that makes it easy to hold or attach to a belt for hands-free use. A magnet holds the brush out of the paint. It cleans easily. Available at Hirshfield's and hardware stores.

Another Hirshfield's favorite is XIM Peel Bond ($18 a quart). It's great for exterior surfaces with a cracked, peeling "alligator-like" surface. After two coats of XIM and a good paint, an old, chalky, brittle surface looks almost like new wood, said Edina manager Mark Masica.

John Ewoldt • 612-673-7633 • jewoldt@startribune.com