I was out on a jobsite where we had delivered some materials for a deck.  The customer was building a huge deck and outside fireplace.  They had some people working and a bunch of lawn furniture piled up in a corner.  The owner was giving away what he thought he wouldn’t need.  He got to a teak table and told me how much he had paid for this table and he was just sick about tossing it out.  Whoa!!! Why throw it out?  I came out the next day and showed him a product that we have talked about before called “Sun Wax” made by the Howard Co.  Remember they make “Feed and Wax” and “Restore A Finish” to use inside the house on cabinets.  Well we sanded a small area of his table and just wiped on the “Sun Wax” – he was speech less.  He called his wife out and showed her and that was going to be her project to restore the table.  I told them that to keep that teak table looking good to use the “Sun Wax” every season if the table was to be outside.  Then he asked me to go to his mom’s house that was just around the corner to show me a door.  When we got there he told me the estimate that he had received to refinish the door and did I think that the “Sun Wax” could make the door look better without refinishing the door?  I knew it would but I let him try – he was amazed, and his mom was thrilled because she was saving money.  Well I definitely was the “Happy Handy Man” that day.  If you want to check out their website go to www.howardproducts.com .  We also carry it on our website www.acmelumber.com.

Now to the mailbag…..

Question:  My question is what product should be used on marble counter top and marble floors?  The house was completed in the mid 80’s and the marble is black with white streaks through out the counter top.  Water spots will not come off by the faucet and water spots on the floor as well.

Answer:  Stone Tech (www.stonetechpro.com) All Purpose Stone and Tile Cleaner will remove any soap scum and hard water deposits.  For regular cleaning use the Revitalizer it will remove residues from cooking oils and everyday food spills.  

Question:  My shower door looks awful.  The metal is spotted and the glass is cloudy.  I have tried everything and nothing is working.  Is it scale from the water?

Answer:  I am sure that it is.  Try the Delete Germ to clean the glass.  Just be careful.  Wipe on the Delete Germ in a small area at a time, cleaning off the scale and rinse immediately with clear water.  Then move to the next spot.   Don’t make a phone call or watch your favorite TV show while doing this.  Delete Germ is a mild acid and will if left on – etch the glass.  Not good.  But if you just work quickly and rinse completely – it will work great.  The glass will be so clean it will look polished.  For the metal frame- use the Delete Germ also, cleaning quickly, rinsing immediately and then you might use a metal polish called “Gleam”.  It will stay cleaner longer.

Question:  We have a pre-fab tub and shower unit in one of our bath in a 2nd home.  We rented our 2nd home out for a while and now we have it back but the bottom of the tub has some black stuff that may be hair coloring- we are not sure.  We have tried several things from bleach to SOS pads.  I thing the tub is fiberglass but I am not sure- it’s all one unit.  What can we do?

Answer:  All fiberglass has a clear gel coating on it and you should never use sos pads as it will take the gel coating off and that’s the end of the glossy tub.  There is one thing I would try in one little spot.  It is the Delete Germ.  Just a small amount on a soft cloth.  But I have to tell you, that cleaning with a SOS pad scares me.  I am afraid you have already taken off the gel coating.  Good Luck.

Question:  Hi Johnnie, I have a table and chairs that someone used to paint objects on and got it onto the table and chairs.  The paint appears to be latex or enamel.  The table is an oak with polyurethane sealer on top and the splatters of paint are white.  Is there anything that will take the white paint off without me having to completely strip the whole table and chairs?

Answer:  Painters Pal should to the trick.  Use a soft wet cloth after you spray the Painters Pal in a small area.  You may have to leave it on a little longer.  It is known for removing dry latex paint.

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.