I have only had 2 jobs in my life.  The first one was with the US Navy for 4 years.  The one I have now in the hardware, lumber business has been since 1953.  I always thank God for giving me such a wonderful job that I love so much.  I go to 6 to 8 hardware shows every year and every time I go I find something really helpful for you and me.  People come into my store and ask do you have this product and most of the time they have used it but they can’t find it anymore.  I write the name down and at the next show I go to I look for that item.  This is how I found the greatest product for floors and the easiest one to use.  It’s called Quick Shine.  It will put a shine on any kind of floor.  It doesn’t matter whether it’s wood, or stone or vinyl or tile, once you put even just one coat of shine you will be able to tell the difference.  It’s applied with a micro fiber mop that is made by Holloway House (they make Quick Shine).  This is not a wax, which is why I like Quick Shine.  Because if you put a wax on your floor sooner or later you have to strip it off, reapply it and buff it out again.  And if you have wood on all the floors you are talking a big job.  Quick Shine comes in a quart size bottle that you just squirt on and then mop the floor with the micro fiber mop.  And like I said, with 1 coat you can tell the difference.  My daughter put 6 coats on her 21 year old parquet floor and I tell you it’s beautiful.  I put just 2 coats on a wood floor in my dining room 2 years ago and it still looks good.  I pulled out all other waxes that I used to keep in the store and tell everyone about Quick Shine and once they try it – they are hooked.  It’s just fool proof.  And the mop head can be washed 100 times and reused over and over again.  Holloway House also has a cleaner that is called No Bucket and it is so neutral that you don’t even rinse it.  It’s the only one to use with the Quick Shine because it won’t dull the shine.  Now if that doesn’t get you excited about your floor- check your pulse!

Now to the e-mail…..

Question:  I am on the Board of Directors on my neighborhood association.  We have many homes with mildew and or algae on siding and bricks.  Due to the wet summer we’ve had we suspended sending letter out requiring immediate removal of these substances.  What is the best way to remove mildew and algae from various surfaces?  My husband uses a powerful pressure washer but not all homeowners have one or are willing to rent one.  Is there an alternative?

Answer:  There is a product called Jomax that is the best at removing mold and mildew on the outside of the house.  It’s important that you let the sun shine for about a week and then apply it.  You put 1 pt of Jomax and 3 pts or Clorox (then fill with water) in a 2 gal pump up sprayer and spray the wall with the mildew.  Then used a good stiff brush and scrub.  Under the eves and roofs comes off by just washing with the JoMax / Clorox combination.  Be sure and rinse with clear water. 

Question:  I recently installed vinyl tile in our kitchen.  In moving our frig back to it’s location it left scuff marks.  Looks bad.  Can you recommend something?

Answer:  If they are black scuff marks then use OPPs- but if you just lost the shine – use the Quick Shine.

Question:   A bottle of cooking oil fell off the counter and landed on the floor and stained the grout between the tiles.  The grout absorbed it.  How can I get it out?

Answer:  Stone Tech makes a (product called Oil Stain Remover for grout.  Call 1-888-786-6343 and ask for a dealer close to you.  If it wasn’t oil they make Restore and it’s a wonderful cleaner.

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.