I have never had so much fun testing new products, and then telling you about it.  Your e-mail is so exciting.  When I read about what you are tackling at your house – well I am amazed and encouraged.  So that’s why when I saw this product at the show, well I couldn’t believe my eyes.  Do you know how many companies have sold bath epoxy?  Many….would be an exaggeration.  But the packaging is really what stopped me in my tracks- “Bath, Sink, and Tile Epoxy Refinishing Kit for Dummies”- can you believe that?  It’s in that familiar look that says “Dummies”.  And I thought well why not give it a try?  So we had them send us a demo pack, and tried it ourselves.  We had this sink in an area in the back that had seen better days.  And I thought if it can bring this back, well we have got to share that with ever one else.    

This is what we did.  First we cleaned it with Delete Germ, and rinsed with clean water.  Then we just followed the directions on the package.  It was that simple.  We did let it cure for about 1 week; they suggest that, so that you get the best results.  And did we get results!  That sink looks tremendous!  And there were no brush marks.  Just smooth new looking porcelain.  I am not exaggerating.  The kit covers 75 sq ft, it’s self-leveling, lead free, non-toxic, and you get everything in the kit that you need.  And it can be lightly tinted.   So go and find a sink, bathtub or tile that looks sad, and give it a new lease on life.  And if you can’t find the product near you, we can ship it to you with just a click or a phone call. 

Now to the e-mail….

Question:  I saw where you recommended Zep Mildew Cleaner for cleaning shower grout.  I bought some and noticed it is not to be used on marble.  We have a cultured marble shower so I guess this is the same as marble on their warning label.  What other product would you recommend for cleaning mold/mildew in the corners of our cultured marble shower?  I’d been using a 10% bleach/water solution. 
Answer:  When you have a marble shower they usually use a colored grout and we should never use a grout cleaner that has bleach in it.  The product to use is StoneTech Restore.  It’s the best!

Question:  Our kitchen counter tops are a Formica type material.  We want to install stone or ceramic tiles.  Can we do this over the existing Formica or do we have to remove it first?  The Formica is tightly bonded. 
Answer:  There is a product that has just come out called “Giani Granite Paint Kit for Counter Tops”.  It will make your countertops look like granite for less than $50, and a weekend.  It comes in a black granite or a sand colored granite.  Send me a SASE and I will send you a DVD and a sample of the Giani.

Question:  We have a bathroom that the wallpaper is really looking bad.  It was put on when we bought the house new and was put on the sheetrock not a painted surface so when I try to remove it I get chunks of sheetrock along with the wallpaper.  What is the best way to remove this wallpaper without too much damage?
Answer:  Nothing takes off wallpaper off easier than M-1 Wallpaper Remover and a paper tiger.  The paper tiger will score the wallpaper and not damage the sheetrock underneath.  Then the M-1 goes thru the tiny holes that the paper tiger made and loosens the wallpaper and then it’s an easy job.  Then if you are re – papering – prime the wall first with Grip and Seal and removing the paper is even easier. 

Question:  Our light bills are through the roof in the summer and our house is cold in winter.  If you sit near a window, you feel cold air.  We’ve already put solar screens on every window in the house and have replaced the front and rear doors.  We had the insulation in the attic checked and were told that it is fine.  We can’t afford new windows or AC at this time- what can we do?
Answer:  There is a very inexpensive window insulation kit that coupled with the solar screens should do the trick.  Check you AC ducts in the attic, and make sure you have no holes, that would let heat or cold air in the attic, instead of in the house.  MD Window Insulation Kit cost less than $10. 

Got a question for Johnnie? Tune in to Johnnie's radio show Saturday mornings on KKYX from 11-12 or call (21) 341-1573. Reach him on the web at www.AcmeLumber.com.