I have this door at my new hardware store that has a stainless steel plate that covers the bottom half.  It looked like it had seen better days and unfortunately it goes back to the offices so everyone can see it.  I was always trying to find something that could clean and restore it.  But let me tell you not all stainless steel cleaners are alike, just like not all stainless steel is alike.   Then at the Hardware Show in Las Vegas I came across this product called “Sheila Shine”.  It promised to be the finest stainless steel polish and surface preservative.  So I asked them to send me a can, and they did.  Well I tried it on the door and was I impressed!  You just spray it lightly and then polish with a rag.  A little goes along way.   It not only will polish the stainless, but will remove grease, film, watermarks, finger prints.  It will cover scratches, and leave a hard protective coating that preserves the surface .  I also tried it on a formica top and it sure looked better after the “Sheila Shine” was applied.  This is not a new product but it is new to me and worked better than anything else that I have ever tried.  So now you know the best way to clean and polish your stainless steel. 

Now to the email…..

Question:   We have an old dresser that was painted.  I wanted to antique it to look like wood.  There use to be antiquing kits that you could use to produce this affect.  However, I could not find any place that carried it.  So I decided to paint it dark brown.  What a mess!  I used latex based paint and come to find out the paint on the dresser was oil based.  Now it’s peeling in spots where it didn’t adhere.  Help! What can I do now?? How do you go about making it look more like wood?  Also we removed the wallpaper from the walls of the bathroom, and now we want to paint.  What do we use to texture the walls before we paint?
Answer:  First remember you can paint oil over latex, and latex over oil, you just can’t paint over a shiny surface.  So remove the paint off the dresser with a product called “Soy Gel”.  This is a biodegradable paint remover that works and has no odor.  After remove the paint, put a primer on the wood and then the color of paint that you want.  As far as texturing the walls, there is a product called “Add A Texture” and you can put it in the paint, and then roll the texture on at the same time as you are adding color to the walls. 

Question:  I want to clean the garage door track.  I know you mentioned a product called “Tri Flow” along with some other product that I cannot recall.  Please help.
Answer:  First clean the track with paint thinner on a rag.  Get all the grease off the track.  Then spray the rollers and track with “Tri-Flow”.  You can also make your patio doors slide better by using the exact same products.  I had a patio door that I could barely move – and then I cleaned the track, and applied the “Tri-Flow” and then I could move the door freely with 2 fingers! 

Question:  Is there another product like RidX but less expensive, that can be used in an aerobic septic system?   
Answer:  If this is a standard septic system, then there is a product that has been out for about 7 years. It’s called “One-Flush”.  It contains as many bacteria as 109 lbs of RidX, and does a much better job.  “One Flush” comes in a plastic package that you just flush down the toilet.  “One Flush” costs $10 and has enough for 3 months. 

Question:  I am a loyal fan of your articles.  My 40 year old house has just been remodeled.  In doing so, the painters have left a fine layer of high gloss lacquer in my new porcelain bathtubs which leave the bottom of the tubs with areas of a slightly rough texture.  When I questioned them they told me to use a high strength alcohol to clean it.  In doing so, I almost asphyxiated myself because of the fumes, and it didn’t even budge the paint. 
Answer:  Use the “Soy-Gel”.  Try a small area first to know how long to leave it on. 

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.happyhandyman.com.