Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-08-31
First Aid
For the
AHing House
BY ROGER b. WHITMAN.

Dy VufA1Ns
@. What is the best type of heat
ing, or which is better, hot-water or
hot-air heat? Is there in each class
one make far better than all othersp
A. No one type of heating system
can be considered best 1t is mat
ter of personal preference. A hot
air heating system equipped with
an air filter and blower will furnish
clean heat and it seems to be gain
ing in popularity. Hot-water heat
can be more readily regulated in
mild weather. If installed by re-
liable heating contractor, and if the
heating plant has sufficient ca
pacity, heating equipment made by
well-known, reputable firms will
give satisfactory service.
Paint That Chips.
Q. An interior white woodwork
Job has just been completed. A
knock at any point brings paint
of in chips and bare wood, or
rather the original oak finish, is
exposed. The last painter says that
it will continue to chip because
formerly white coat was put on
over oak lightly sanded. Will you
tell me what is causing such a con-
dition and the most economical way
to correct it?
A. Paint applied over vanished
surface that is glossy is very likely
to chip. In your case the varnish
was probably not dulled enough To
provide a good bond. Paint i'm
properly or insufhciently thinned
out for the first coat might be
another cause. The best thing for
you to do now is to remove the
finish coat down to the bare wood
and then refinish the woodwork
with a good quality enamel, thinned
according to the directions on the
label of the can.
Carbonized Oil Burner.
@. My kitchen range has a twin
oil-burning unit, which after years
OF service is SO covered with hard
ened carbon that it cannot be prop
erly cleaned. Holes for the oil be-
tween the inside and outside chan
nels are so nearly plugged that the
burner can only be used when
turned on full. The holes are in
such a position that they cannot
be drilled. Is there a liquid that
will loosen the carbon?
A. Unfortunately, there Is no LIQUID
that will dissolve carbon. The only
thing that you can do is to dismount
the burner so that you can get at
the holes and to clean them out with
q twist drill or a stiff wire.
Metal Polish.
Q. In my work I have to use a
great deal Of metal polish. Is there
some way that I could make my
own?
A. A metal polish consists of an
abrasive in combination with ma
terials that will make a liquid, a
paste or solid. For a high polish
the abrasive can be jewelers. rouge,
finely powdered chalk or something
similar. For a coarser finish, as on
an aluminium saucepan, the abrasive
can be finely powdered emery, pum-
ice, rottenstone, ETC. For a solid
cake, the abrasive can be mixed with
plaster of paris and poured into a
box lid or into anything else that
gives the necessary form. For a
paste, the abrasive can be mixed
with white vaseline; while for a
liquid, half-and-hal mixture of
kerosene and turpentine can be used,
or heavier oil thinned with either
one. ... ..
Soundproof Doors.
Q. Please send me information on
the soundproof1ng of doors.
A. Soundproofng a door may not
be your complete answer, for some
OF the sound may come through the
walls. However, the door itself can be
made fairly soundproof by sheathing
each side with insulating material
and by using heavy felt to close the
crack between the door and the door
frame. Strips of felt suitable for the
purpose can be had at a 5-and-1O or
a hardware store where it is sold as
misunderstanding. AS an alternative,