Wow did we have a lot of question this week- so that’s what we are going to talk about – keep em coming!

Question:  Before the holidays and while the weather is great I want to strip the stain off my deck and color it a cedar color.  Can I do that?  And what is a good stain to use afterwards?

Answer:  The Coronado Paint Co. makes a product called Strip X that will do the job.  I love the new colors of Cabot Stain.  Especially the cedar.  You can apply is with a pump up sprayer and use a roller to make sure you have no puddling.  (it will stay sticky)  This is a good project that you can finish in a weekend.

Question:  I have a dishwasher that is not that old.  But it doesn’t clean that well and leaves spots on the glasses.  I use a good quality cleaner and a quick dryer to boot.  So what could be the problem?

Answer:  Oh probably the jets are clogged up with hard water deposits, and food particles.  Try using the Dish Washer Magic, it works differently that other cleaners.  Put the Magic in the top shelf of an empty dishwasher and put it on a pots and pans cycle.  It will stay in the dishwasher longer and clean longer because it doesn’t open up until the dishwasher hits a certain heat level.  I know that you will like the results.

Question:  Birds are standing on my boat dock and doing what birds do best.  They are making a terrible mess.  Short of target practice, what can I do?

Answer:  Now we are all bird lovers here – but they can be pesky.  Use a product called -   “4 the Birds”.   It comes in a caulking gun and you just spread it on the area where they like to land.  It’s sticky and they won’t like it and will go to your neighbor’s house.

Question:  Johnnie I have some old wooded bowls that my aunt gave me.  They look awful (dirty and grimy) but she expects me to use them.  Do you have one of those miracle products that you are always pulling out of your hat for this one?

Answer:  Let’s clean them up first by sanding them lightly with 400 grit sandpaper.  Sand until you get to the natural wood and them rinse them off with water.  Let dry.  Then use some heated “boiled linseed oil” and brush it on coating them completely, but don’t saturate.  They should look better than new, you aunt will think you bought new bowls.

Question:  Johnnie I love your article, and I have this problem.  I have ugly wallpaper.  And on top of that it is pulling up in the corners.  Can I paint it or do I have to take it down?

Answer:  Sure you can paint it.  First let’s fix the spots that are coming loose with Stick EZ.  Once the wallpaper is secure then prime with Grip and Seal- 2 coats to make sure that nothing bleeds through.  Then use a paint like Tough Walls in the color that you like.  Paint the ceiling too- it’s the 5^th wall.  Painting over the wallpaper is much easier than trying to remove old wallpaper.

Question:  Before the holiday is upon us, I want to clean my silverware.  Is there any one cleaner that is better than all the rest?

Answer:  I like Gleam Metal polish.  It doesn’t smell and it will keep your silverware looking good for a long time.  If you have a lot of brass or metal this polish works great and it comes with a companion product that you can spray on that will make that clean polished look last for years. 

I got a letter not really a question but I thought I would share it with you.

My Mom’s friends were discussing their difficulty with the ambulance finding their homes at night.  They live in a new retirement village in Connecticut.  I just read about the 9-11 light that you wrote about and bought some for all the ladies.  Unfortunately they have had to use them several times but they were thrilled because the driver was able to find their apartment so much quicker.  Thanks so much!

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.