Evening star., 1955-02-26
What About Marks on Asbestos Siding?
By Roger c. Whitmon


Question-Recently we had o
white ceramic-coated asbestos
siding put on our house. I have
noticed dark marks under the
windows. Could you inform me
what I could use to remove
these dark marks without dam
age to the siding?
Observation-Disclosures of the
above type siding claim that
spelling and SCOT do not pene-
be readily removed with any of
the usual detergent powders. Use
trate into the shingle and could
about a quarter cupful in a pail
full of water To prevent streak
ing, wet down the shingles with
water before you star scrubbing.
Rinsing with clear water should
follow.
Casters For Uneven Floor.
A reader sent in the following
suggestion: IF any one is
troubled with furniture which
continually rocks because the
floor is uneven, casters, which
are adjustable, take care of the
situation neatly. I came across
these in a department store a
little while ago and they work
very satisfactorily" Many thanks
for the suggestion.
Getting Rid Of Ants.
Question-LaSt summer my
cottage near the water was in
tested with large, black ants.
Apparently they came from
under the Dashboard, particularly
in the kitchen. Have you any
ideas on how to get rid of them?
Answer-Try to locate the
nest, or nests, and douse them
literally with ant-killing COM
pound or place ant traps where
they will do the most good. These
are available at garden supply
places and hardware stores. Also
examine the outside of the house
and see if the ants are coming
in through a crack or crevice,
in which case it should be
caulked.
Changing Table COlors.
Question: would like to
darken my blond mahogany ia
BILE to match the rest of my
dining room furniture. How can
I go about this?
Answer - The blond finish
must first be taken off, so that
you can get at the bare wood to
stain it. The quickest method
is to use a borrowed or rented
portable sanding machine. An
other way is to soften the finish
with varniSh remover, following
label directions. When softened.
scrape off the finish with steel
wool. ide-bladed putty knife
tbe careful not to scratch the
wood with a corner of the blade)
or paint-scraper. Every trace
of remover must be taken off
with turpentine. ANY rough
spots should be smoothed with
fine sandpaper and all dust wiped
off with turpentine. Mahogany
oil stain is then put on in the
shade desired; or a penetrating
wax containing wood stain. The
mahogany oil stain. when dry,
should be given a coat of pure,
fresh, white shellac to seal it.
This is followed by a coat of
good quality, quick-drying var
nish. The penetrating wax finish
can be given a coat of paste
wax, polishing well when dry.
S0iled Hand Rails.
Question My wrought iron
rails are dull and dirty looking,
but I am afraid to use steel
wool because OF the antique
effect which I don't want to
harm. What can I use?
AnswervYou should be able to
clean the surfaces by rubbing
with linseed oil. After the clean
ing is done, wipe off the oil with
dry cloths.
Removing Cement From
FlagStOneS.
Questi0n-Evidently the con-
tractor who laid the f1agstones
over concrete was careless, be-
cause there are grayish smears
on the flagstones which I can't
get out. I am sure they came
from the cement which was used
when the f1agstones were laid.
Is there any way to remove these
smears?
Answer-You can do it by