Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-06-15
BY ROGER C. WHITMAN

Question-Is there any other
way of fixing tight drawers in
. chest beside sanding?
Answer-Very often, rubbing
the edges with soap. paraffin,
or q wax candle. makes the
drawer slide easily. Coating
with shellac is also effective.
Stained Linoleum
Question: washed down my
kitchen walls with a strong So
luton and splashed some of it
on the linoleum floor. How can
I remove the spots?
Answer-You might try gen.
tie rubbing of one Of the spots
with fine steel wool. as an ex-
pertinent; follow with imme-
date waxing or lacquering. de-
pending on the linoleum finish.
II successful. repeat treatment
on remaining spots.
Continuing EfflOrescence
Question am having
trouble with my basement wall.
There was an efflorescent for
nation. which l removed with
muriatic acid solution. but it
continues. What can I do to
prevent paint from loosening
from wall?
Answer - Efflorescence is a
sign of dampness within a wall.
You should locate and close the
leak. Water-proofing the wall
should help.
Stump Destroying Liquid
Question-Have had two trees
removed from my lot and the
stumps were left level with the
ground Could you tell me what
liquid is used to destroy the
stumps?
Answer-Weed killer or stump
killing preparations are avail
able at many garden supply
houses The liquid is poured into
large diameter holes drilled down
into the roots Of the stump Re-
fill holes. as liquid is absorbed.
two or three times. II stumps
are covered with earth. process
Is somewhat speeded up.
Cracked Concrete
QuestiOn-What is the best
way TO repair a cement walk?
have patched the walk several
times, but the cracks still occur.
AnSwer-Cracks in a sidewalk
may be due to improper drain
age. I would suggest having
this checked. In repairing cracks
in concrete. there are several
things TO be observed: edges to
which new concrete is to be APP
piled must be roughened. or the
new concrete will not adhere.
Old surface must be free of
loose particles; crack must be
opened by widening with cold
chlsel to provide space for pene-
tration OF mortar; under part
Of crack should be made as wide
as surface so that new concrete
will become locked in. The old
surface should be moistened
mot flooded when applying
the patch. to prevent water in
new concrete from being abb
sorbed. the patch should be
kept damp for several days. to
allow new cement to cure: il it
dries too quickly, it will be
weak and sandy
Gouged Bathtub
QuestiOn-The new bathtub in
our apartment was gouged in
one place down TO the cast iron.
Id like to repair this before the
iron has a chance TO rust.
AnSwer-Well-stocked hard
ware stores and plumbing supply
houses carry porcelain repair
kits, which are quite satisfactory
although constant exposure to
water may make repeat treat
ments necessary Don't expect
repair to match the porcelain
exactly, but appearance will be
greatly improved
Painting Bird Bath
Question: would like TO paint
my tan ceramic tile bird bath
white. What kind Of paint can
use?
Answcr-In all probability no
paint will adhere for any length
of time TO the glossy surface. If
you could grind of present gloss.
using sandpaper (Which would
hp a tprrific ioht1 cnat NJ