Every year about this time I write an article about how to go about getting an estimate on work you want done around the house.  Whether it’s a deck, fence, room remodel, windows, new front door, what ever always remember to get references.  Check with your local lumberyard or home center because that’s probably where they get there supplies and leads.  A store manager will be quick to let you know if they are good or if they have had a bad experience with the contractor.  Another way is to know is how long they have been in business in your town.  Some contractors go from town to town.  If he has a problem with a job he just leaves.  So if he is working on your job and it gets sticky and he leaves- well that doesn’t leave you in a good place.  Small contractors usually give you better prices because they have smaller over head.  Don’t be afraid if he asks for some money before he starts the job if what you want is something he has to special order.  Check with the owner or manager of the lumber yard for counsel if you have a question before you pay money down.  Bottom line if you, the contractor and the yard manager work together the job rarely ever has a problem.  If the prices you get seems way to cheap well there is a reason!  Now to the e-mail!!!

Question:  Hi Johnnie, love your column, I always learn something.  My question …I received a lovely copper beverage holder with stand and mistakenly left it outside where it has rusted badly.  Can you recommend treatment for cleaning?   Restoring original finish and potentially painting if necessary.

Answer:  To clean copper all you need is product called “All Gleam”.  After cleaning and to provide more protection spray on a product called “Superior Shield”.  Copper doesn’t rust so maybe you have a steel stand and to kill the rust spray with a product called “Rust Cure” and that will kill the rust. 

Question:  I have some rust on the fins on the air handler of my air conditioner unit.  Would like to know what I can safely use?

Answer:  This is another job for “Rust Cure”.

Question 1:  I am going to use these products and I have several questions.  The Quick Shine, do I clean the floor first with a damp cloth?

Answer:  Yes but I like to use the “Quick Shine No Bucket” it doesn’t require rinsing.

Question 2: Will Feed and Wax hide the wear mars by the handles used to open the cabinet doors?

Answer:  It should work just fine.

Question 3:  If I use the Restore A Finish on my laminated wood table will this take out glass rings/water stains and do I need to apply anything over the finish after applying it?

Answer:  The Restore A Finish will work just fine, and after use the Feed and Wax.

Question 4:  The driveway seam – what do I fill the area with now that the wood has rotted?

Answer:  Use treated wood that you can find at your local lumber yard.

Question 5:  My front door received a lot of direct sunlight and rain- I now have a glass door in front of it – so how do I go about restoring the bare wood? 

Answer:   Use the Restore A Finish right over the old finish.  It comes in several colors and you can mix them so you won’t have a problem matching it.  Then apply the “Sun Wax” over the top to protect the color. 

Question:  I have a 1910 home that I have restored and it has hardwood floors, after refinishing them they have turned out great.  My question is how to take care of them?  I have several people tell me conflicting ideas.  I even called the Galveston Historical Foundation- and they haven’t replied.  My friend says you have great ideas- can you help me?

Answer:  The best product to use is the Quick Shine.  Put on about 4 or 5 coats and maybe every six months add another coat if it is not shiny any more.  It will protect and preserve the floors.  To weekly clean, just use the “No Bucket”.  Your floors will love you.

Got a question for Johnnie? Tune in to Johnnie's radio show Saturday mornings on KTSA (5500 AM) from 9-11 or call 828-8907. Reach him on the web at www.AcmeLumber.com.