I received a call from one of the readers of the column.  She has animals that stay inside the house with her and she knows that there is an odor from when her pets have accidents.  She had tried just about everything on the shelf at the store and the odor still was evident.  It reminded me of myself and when I got back an apartment complex that my Dad had owned.  (that wasn’t supposed to happen)  When we owned it we did not allow pets but the new owner had and when we got it back-whew!  I tried everything.  I painted, I pulled up the carpet, and I pulled up the pads- I soaked the floor with bleach but still was that lingering smell.  Well God gave me a lot of help one day when this salesman walked in and showed me a product he guaranteed would get rid of any smell.  And if was safe, and to show how safe he sprayed it in his mouth.  I was leery after that but he gave me a gallon so I went to go try it.  It was a miracle.  I put the gallon on the slab and moved it around with a mop and the odor simply went away.  I couldn’t believe it.  I went back the next day and gave it the sniff test and sure enough – the odor was gone.  The gallon still cost less than $20.  So next time you or your neighbor have an animal that doesn’t make it outside- Bio-Zapp to the rescue. 

Now to the e-mail….

Question:  I have places on my dishwasher rack that has started to rust and I can find a product to fix it – a new rack is so expensive.  So do you have any answers?

Answer:  There is a great product called Rust Cure that comes in a spray bottle that is perfect for your problem.  Just spray the rusty spot, and in an hour wipe off the oily residue.  Wait a week and the area you sprayed will be gun metal grey, but it won’t rust again.  Have your husband do the dishes that week.  Ranchers use this all the time on there pipe fences and on the equipment.

Question:  I have a small concrete fish pond of about 4’ deep and 2’ wide.  It sustained a diagonal crack a couple of years ago and even though I have patched it several times it never holds water for over a day or two.  Is there a product which I could use to coat the concrete which would be waterproof and not toxic to fish? 

Answer:  There is a great product that will seal a roof and it’s clear and can be applied with a brush or the outside of the fish pond after you etch it with a product called Safe Solutions.  Once clean and dry apply the Through the Roof on the outside and it will last for years.  For more info call 800-289-7290

Question I bought a black sink for my kitchen and a black toilet for the powder room.  They still look beautiful on the outside but what can I use to clean them up on the inside.  The shine is completely gone on the inside of both items. 

Answer:  The answer is Delete Germ.  Just be careful because it is a mild acid.  But that’s what you need to clean up the hard water build up on the sink and toilet.  Just try a small spot first.  Wipe a small area with the Delete Germ on a sponge and then rinse with clear water making sure that all the Delete Germ is rinsed off.  Wear gloves. 

Question:  We built a center island in the kitchen out of cypress and finished it with an early American stain and a matt clear coat.  It is still tacky to the touch is there something I can do, without resanding?

Answer:  Don’t sand- use a product that will get the sealer off called Soy Gel, it’s the best because it’s non toxic. It has virtually no smell. The product will remove varnish and paint.  Apply it over the surface about ¼ of inch thick and then let it set.  Give it about 5 hours and then use a plastic putty stick and see if the varnish is letting go.  Wipe down the island with a wet rag and let dry.  Use a varnish made by Old Masters if you can find it.    

Question:  I am trying to remove some indoor/outdoor carpet and pulling it up is about to kill me.  And it’s leaving a residue from the carpet adhesive.  What cleaner can I use?

Answer:  The same people that make Soy Gel make Bean E Doo ( I know dumb name) and it will remove the glue left from pulling up the carpet without damaging the tile underneath.  And the nice part- no odor.

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.