Evening star., 1942-07-25
First Aid
For the
|AningHouse
BY ROGER b. WHITMAN.

BY ROGER b. WHITMAN.
Editors note-Mr. Whitman
died Tuesday at his home in Gar
den City, N. Y, OF a heart all
wlent. This tDas one of his last
columns The Star has used his
material to help Wdshingtonidns
iDtth their home problems for
long period OF ttn1e.)
Wood filler: We have used wood
filler on some old walnut furniture.
1t has proven to be too light in color
and shows up terribly How can We
touch up these light spots before
putting on the final finish?
A liberal wiping with turpentine
should soften the filler so that you
can remove it with a stiff bristle
brush. In doing the job over. tint
the filler with olor-in-oil to match
the wood. The filler should be tinted
before 1t Is used, Of course.
Freshening lampshades: A reader
kindly sent in this method for fresh
ening lampshades: MY remedy may
be Of help. For some years I have
finished parchment shades by rub
bing on q little mild soap on a cloth.
I apply 1t over a quarter Of the
shade. then rinse the cloth and wipe
the soap of. continue this all,
around the shade. It looks like new
and never absorbs water" Another
excellent method Is to wipe the
shade with a wad Of absorbent cof-
ton, somewhat damp with mineral
oil-the kind you have In your medi-
cine cabinet. Put the shade on
newspapers and let 1t stay there in
a warm place until the oil has dried
OF. Caution: Do not allow lamp
shade treated In this way to touch
the wall, as it may leave a grease
spot.
Dustless dustcloth: How can I
make "dustless dustrag"?
Soak flannel or thick flanmelette
in a mixture of parts par&fln oil
and l part turpentine, wiring out and
hang out to dry.
Copper screens: I didn't quite un-
derstand what you said about the
treatment of copper screens to pre-
vent discoloration. Will YOU please
explain?
First. clean the screens thor
oughly. If at all greasy. sponge
with q grease CUTTER" preferably
non n-inflammable. Or sponge with
water In which washing soda has
been dissolved. Rinse afterward.
When clean and dry, coat the
screens with q thin varnish, any
good spar varnish can be used in
the proportion Of 2 psrts spar var
nish. and l part each of linseed oil
and turpentine. Thick varnish
would clog the meshles. If you are
able to find . thin Vhrnish intended
to be wiped on with a cloth instead
Of a brush, that would be still
simpler.
Cleaning paint brushes: How can
paint brushes be cleaned and cared
for?
Fresh paint can be cleaned from
Q paint brush W suspending the
brush In turpent1ne. with the tips
of the bristles out of contact with
the bottom of dhe container. The
paint will drain tout and settle, leav-
ing the bristles clean. If paint has
hardened in the bristles, it can be
softened by s,nspending the brushes
in paint remover, or in cleaning
powders for this, particular job, to
be had at . paint store. The paint
win soften snd can be scraped or
comhed out. Follow by washing
with the suAs Of mild soap. rinsing
with clear water and thorough dry
ing. Whep a paint job is inter-
rupted, orr the brushes are to be
put to bed until the next day, dunk
them welr in turpentine and squeeze
out the paint. Then wrap we'll in
waxed paper to keep out the air.
Paint ffor canvas: What paint can
be used for canvas lawn umbrella
and fqf the canvas cover Of q