Q-Our old bedroom furniture is finished with mahogany veneer (real wood veneer, not a plastic facsimile). The top of the dresser has a blister that was caused by a water spill that was not wiped up promptly. How can I repair it?
A-Use a razor blade to slice through the blister, then press one side of it down and slide the tip of a thin nail file in under the raised half.
Working carefully to avoid tearing or cracking the veneer any further, use the tip of the nail file to scrape out dried glue and other particles from under the raised veneer. Then use a straw to blow out any remaining dust or particles from under the veneer. Now press this half down and repeat the procedure on the other half of the blister.
Next, use an artist`s palette knife (or thin pocket knife blade) to spread a small amount of white carpenter`s glue under each raised half of the blister. Then press down firmly on the raised veneer. Wipe off any excess glue that oozes out and cover the blister with waxed paper. Pile on some books or magazines to hold the veneer down until the glue has completely dried.
Rusty sheet metal
Q-We have a metal shed in our backyard that has been there for many years. The inside of the sheet metal is in good condition, but the exterior of the metal is rusted and mildewed. How can I prepare the metal for painting?
A-Scrape off the loose and flaking rust with a wide putty knife and a wire brush, then wash the surface with a solution of Clorox and water (one part bleach to four parts water) to get rid of the mildew.
Rinse off this with plain water and wait until the metal is dry and then apply a coat of liquid ”rust converter.” Sold in all paint and hardware stores, this converter is designed to change rust into a new material or coating that forms an excellent foundation for paint. In addition, the new coating will help prevent further rusting. When the converter coating has dried, apply a rust-resistant metal primer over it, then finish with two coats of exterior enamel or trim paint.
Squeaky stairs
Q-I have seen articles on how to stop squeaks in stairs that are open from below, but my stairs are not open from below and cannot be reached from underneath. Is there anything I can do to eliminate squeaks in these stairs?
A-Squeaking is usually caused by the movement of some treads. To eliminate the problem, you have to tighten the treads.
You can usually accomplish this by driving screws down through the top of the tread near the front edge, driving the screws in just far enough back from the front bullnose so that the screw goes into the top of the riser under that tread. Drill a clearance hole through the tread and a pilot hole into the riser-otherwise the wood may split. Countersink the head of the screw as you drive it home, then fill the hole that remains with a matching colored wood putty.
Dulled vinyl
Q-Six months ago, we installed a no-wax vinyl floor in our kitchen. Recently, I scrubbed off several black heel marks with an abrasive pad and this took the shiny finish off in those areas. Without waxing the entire floor, is there anything I can do to restore the shine to these spots?
A-You obviously used an abrasive pad that was too coarse, thus destroying the surface gloss. Because manufacturers differ in how they make their ”no-wax” vinyl, your safest bet is to contact the manufacturer of your flooring and get his suggestions. Failing this, you can try using a liquid wax or polish on these spots only, but the gloss you achieve may not exactly match the rest of the floor. And, of course, it will have to be renewed periodically.
Masking tape residue
Q-What is the best way to remove the sticky residue left when masking tape is stripped off a finished wood surface?
A-An excellent product for this purpose is 3M Adhesive Remover. Another solvent that works well in most cases is rubber cement thinner (sold in art supply stores). And still another is ordinary lighter fluid (however, this is very flammable, so use all proper precautions).
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Have a question about home repair problems? Write to Bernard Gladstone in care of Your Place, Chicago Tribune, 435 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, Ill. 60611. Questions of general interest will be answered in future columns. Sorry, letters cannot be answered personally.
