Rotten wood around the house can cause a problem when you start painting.  Most contractors will want to replace all rotten wood, and that can get expensive.    If I told you that not all rotten wood needs to be replaced, would that be something you would be interested in?  Replacing rotten wood can be very expensive – but if you use a product called MinWax Wood Hardner- you can save yourself hours of labor in replacing the wood, plus the expense.  With Minwax High Performance Wood Hardener you just brush it on the soft wood, giving it a few coats (it will start to shine) it will soak in and make the wood as hard as it was when it was new.  I know that seems hard to believe, but it’s true.  It soaks through the soft wood down to the hard wood.  Then after that if you need to fill in  any wood you can use their companion product called High Performance MinWax Wood Filler.   It hardens in 15 minutes and will not crack or fall out.  These two products can repair a bottom of a garage door, window sill, doors or boards around the edge of the roof.  After repairs you can paint.  You don’t even have to prime.  So next time you see a little rotten wood, just smile and say to yourself you won’t be here for long!

Now to the e-mail…..

Question:  What is a good product to clean a wood deck?  What do I do to make it ready for staining?
Answer:  Super Deck makes a great deck cleaner that will work on a treated, redwood, cedar or any wood deck.  One gallon makes 4 gallons and cost about $16.  Since it’s made by Superdeck you know you are getting a good product.  After cleaning – let your deck dry, and then you are ready to stain.  And Superdeck is the stain that you want to use.  Heart of Redwood is a beautiful color.  You can roll it on or spray it on.  By the way the cleaner is fast and biodegradable.  

Question:  I am installing a new roof.  The question is should I have them take the old roof off or just leave the old one on for insulation. 
Answer:  Take the old roof off.  Make sure that they add a couple of turbines and get larger vents under the eaves so you will have a cooler attic and cooler home.   When re-roofing this is the perfect time to add more ventilation. 

Question:  I have a lot of lime in my toilet and want to thank you for recommending the toilet bowl cleaner called Delete Germ.  However I still have a stubborn lime ring that is left.  It’s crusty and ugly- what should I do?
Answer:  For thick lime rings we call on the Pumie with a handle.  It is a 100% natural pumice and it’s safer for porcelain.  It’s made for thick lime rings.  Just brush it on the lime ring and it will be gone.

Question:  You have an excellent website.  I have silk pants in my closet that are getting small holes in them.  My tailor says it could be from silver fish.  My closet is an outside wall on two sides.  Is there anything to put down inside or out?  I moved my suits and slacks to another closet in another bedroom.
Answer:  Nothing works better to get rid of all crawling bugs and insects than Shoo-Fly.  This is the only product that I know off that will get rid of silver fish- and it’s safe around children and pets after it’s dry.  It also kills scorpions. 

Question:  Our master bath gets the hot morning sun and my wife gets so hot in there while dressing.  I cannot put in a ceiling fan.  I did get a small fan that clips on to an overhead board for the recessed lighting.  Do you have any suggestions on how to cool such a small room?
Answer:  Regency makes a small 36” fan that is perfect for bathrooms and small kitchens. 

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.