To the mailbag….

Question:  Just bought some second-hand furniture and there is some red splashed on the dresser top what appears to be nail polish (but could be paint or something else).  I think the furniture is real wood.  Any suggestions for removing it?

Answer:  This is a simple answer and easy.  Sand the surface with 400 Grit Garnet paper, wipe with a tact cloth, and that will give you a smooth surface, it cost about $1.50.  Get a quart of Semi-Gloss enamel paint in the color of your choice cost about $6.00 and ALL paints brush about 1 ½ inches wide. For less then $10.00 you are ready to paint.  Send me a before and after picture and I will send you a special gift.

Question:  Some years ago I had sewer line blockage problems and had found a product to dump into the line to kill and/or dissolve the roots and it worked.  Sadly the problem has returned and I can’t (for the life of me) remember the product name.  Can you help me?

Answer:  Sure!, It’s called Root Kill and it’s made of copper sulfate, it comes in a 2 pound container and here is how you use it.  Put one pound in late at night and flush the commode, do not use it until the morning.  The next night use the balance and flush and do not use it again until morning. NO MORE ROOTS FOR A LONG TIME.

Question:  Could you tell me a good product to clean vinyl furniture? I have tried bleach and a few other things but they did not work.

Answer:  One of the best cleaners is called TSP. In every hardware store or lumber yard worth there salt will have it!  By the way after you clean it there is a great Spray paint to change the color if you like to, it’s called Fushion. And it will stick to plastic.

Question:  We are in the process of remodeling and plan to remove wood laminate flooring in the kitchen and replacing it with tile.  Is there a product that will remove the adhesive from the concrete?  

Answer:  Yes! And it’s called Bean-E-Do.  And it’s best because you just apply it and come back and wipe it up.  For more information call 1-800-538-5069.  It is not harmful to you or the environment.

Question:  I am a property owner on Lake Conroe.  I have a terrible problem and not sure what to do about it.  The large birds are using my boat cover and boat deck as their personal toilet…I have white bird droppings running.  What can I do to encourage these guys to drop elsewhere forever!

Answer:  Problem over get a tub of Bye-Bye Birdie and apply it to wherever they decide to perch. This also works for any other droppings you have any where else around your house.  Remember if you have a hard time finding any of these products give me a call at 210-828-8907.

Question:  I’ am a reader form the Woodlands Texas.  I enjoy your column in the Woodlands Villager.  I have used the product Grout be Gone from around my tub in the bathroom. I have been advised that caulk is more elastic than grout so I have used caulk instead.  I have switched to DAP & now every time I re-caulk, it does not last more than a few weeks.  Is there something I need to clean the cracked area with which will allow the new caulk to adhere?

Answer:  Re-caulking will be over when you start using Poly Seam Seal Caulking.  Poly Seam Seal is a sealer and a Caulk.  It will adhere to almost every surface.  You can use it to re-attach tiles that get loose and it will never mildew.

Question:  My son spent the better part of his leisure time for two years, heat griming the cracked and peeling paint off the 100-year old wood trim on the outside and around 50 windows of his house and then priming and repainting it.  Apparently the wood will not hold paint, but replacing all the trim would be impossible, as it’s embedded in the original stucco.  Can you tell us what kind of product he can use to (resin based?) that will seal the wood and allow it to hold a coat of paint.

Answer:   I wish you would have called me first!  I could have saved you so much time and money!  The Coronado Paint Company has a great paint called Crylicote a new coat of Crylicote cost less then $25.00 a gallon on sale,  and covers 400 square feet per gallon.  Before painting, you would sand.  Always use their oil based primer because it soaks into the wood for a great base of Crylicote.  You should always paint two coats over a primer coat and Bingo!  Forget painting for a long…long...time!  People ask me what’s best, Spray roller or brush?…Brush is the Winner!

Question:  Does Ace Hardware have anything for removing rust from the driveway?

Answer:  There is a great product called Clean Crete.  It will remove rust fast but it can’t be shipped.  So the next time you are in San Antonio visit the Acme Lumber stores they carry it!

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.