Evening star., 1942-01-24
First Aid
For the
AHing House
BY ROGER b. WHITMAN.

Dy ASOo6U w IA = ANATAA~s
Question: With which finish does
q radiator throw OF more heat,
paint or bronze or aluminium Has
the difference actually been proved
by tests?
Answer: The National Associa-
ton of Heating and Ventilating
Engineers. New York City, an
nounces officially that an oil paint
finish radiates about one-sixth more
heat than metallic paint finish.
Color Of the paint makes little dif-
ference.
@. have an old-fashioned arm
chair. whose arms have broken
off from the back. They were joined
with a peg, which has split side
ways. I have had it repaired twice
and glued, but it stays only a few
weeks and is loose again. Can you
help me?
A. The broken peg should be
taken out and replaced. A local
lumber yard or dealer in wood
holdings should be able to supply
you with a wood dowel Of the size
you need; it should then be glued
in place with casein glue. Any
cabinetmaker can do the job.
Wax Over Crude Oil.
@. Some time ago I polished a
walnut end table with a mixture
of crude oil and benzine. 1t did not
give the luster I desired, so I waxed
1t. The wax did not polish evenly
and was streaky. What can 1 use
to remove the wax and oil so I may
wax it again?
A. Wipe it OF with q cloth
dampened in turpentine. Change
cloths frequently to prevent the oil
and wax from getting back on the
surface. When polishing the table,
apply the wax in a thin even coat,
allow it to dry, then polish with
soft, clean cloth. Rub with the
grain.
@. The roof of this building Is
of galvanized iron. Is this consid-
cred a good type? How does it
compare with roof made Of
shingles? How often should 1t be
painted? Is there a particular kind
of paint to be used on It?
A. Galvanized iron roofing, II
kept painted, should last for many
years. This type of roofing should
last as long as any of the other
types. After allowing the galvanized
surface 10 weather for at least six
months. clean the surface and then
apply a coat of red lead. The red
lead should be applied evenly and
thoroughly brushed into the surface.
Allow the paint to dry at least a
week: then finish with a good quail
ity Of outside paint.
@. What will prevent a rug from
skidding on a tiled floor?
A. At a department store you
can get an antiskid preparation to
go on the back Of the rug; 1t comes
either as powder or a liquid.
Insulating Hot Water Tank.
Q. Our hot-water storage tank,
% gallons, is copper and not in
sulated. 1t gives on considerable
heat, and I believe that insulation
would save fuel. How can the Job
be done?
A. If your tank Is standard as
to dimensions and location OF con-
nections, you can get an insulat-
ing jacket ready-made, to be laced
on. Otherwise, you can have 1t in
sulated with magnesia blocks, asbes-
tos insulating cement, or some
similar material, an inch or so thick.
Your plumber can do the job.
@. What Is q safe way to clean q
down comforter? I should Like to do
1t myself, for it is pretty worn, and
not worth spending money or.
A. That may be a difficult matter
to do at home. A modern laundry
should be able not only to clean the
down but to put on a new cover
at no great expense. 1t would be
we'll worth your while to inquire.
@. Would it be practical to in
stall a coil in one-pipe furnace
to supply hot water, and also attach
radiator to heat kitchen?
Would this lessen the volume of heat
IN the rest of the house? The fur
mace has a good draft, but I need
all the heat possible in cold weather
Some people tell me this would
affect the heating capacity of the
furnace.
A. If the furnace has a limited
heating capacity, would not advise
connecting a water heater coil in
side the furnace to supply the hot
water and heat for a kitchen radi-
ator Far better results would be
obtained by installing a pot stove
type of water heater, of sufficient
capacity to furnish you with hot
water for domestic use and heat for
your kitchen radiator.
Oil Burner Regulations.
@. Should turn my oil burner
down to IS degrees at night from u
In the daytime. to save fuel?
A. Yes; that will save fuel, but
do not drop it any lower.