Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1959-04-18

IdulJyt Vi IlOLl-CAloIdllO III
sulation, would be much
more probable.
Stiff NyIon Bristles
Question: Every hair brush
or bath brush we buy is too
stiff and has to be discarded,
Can you tell me how to soften
these nylon bristles?
Answer: Afraid I know of
no way to soften nylon bris-
ties; they are unabsorbent
Recommend getting natural
bristle brushes; much more
expensive, but softer.
Removing Paint
Question: What is the best
way to remove paint from
woodwork? Is it possible to
put a wheat stain on wood
work after the paint has been
removed?
Answer: The least messy
and easiest way to remove
paint is with an electric
paint remover or an electric
sander. Prepared paint re-
movers are also efficient, but
take more energy and pa
thence. Or holding an mira
red lamp about a foot from
the painted surface, until
the paint softens. then scrap
ing off the paint with a dull
bladed knife, is another
method.
In using the prepared re-
mover available at paint
and hardware stores), be
sure to follow label instruc-
tions carefully. After the sur
face of the wood is thor
oughly cleaned d, sanded
smooth and dust removed, a
wheat stain could be applied.
Shoky Flooring
Question: We have carpet
ing laid directly on plywood
flooring. In our front room
there is one spot about II
inches from the steel beams
where the floor goes up and
down when you walk on it.
Would wedging with shin
giles between the plywood
and basement beams correct
this, or would it make it
worse? Please don't suggest
taking up the carpeting;
that's too much of a job.
Answer: It's easier to at
tack the problem from the
top, but, first. it's necessary to
remove the carpeting. From
below cross bridging, firmly
fastened to beams could be
put in. and long wood screws
driven into underside Of ply
wood could draw it down
firmly to the cross bridging.
Cracked LinoIeum
Question: The linoleum on
our kitchen floor has cracked
along the lines we're the sec
tions of plywood subflooring
meet. What caused this
cracking?
Answer: Obviously, the IL
noleum was laid directly on
the subflooring. with no layer
of building felt or sim
liar material sandwiched be-
tween. The only correction is
to take up the present limo
leum, put proper covering
over the subflooring. and put
down new linoleum.
Dry Flooring
Question: How can we be
certain lumber we are going
to use for flooring is dry?
Answer: Buy the lumber
from a reputable dealer. Keep
flooring lumber indoors for
at least 10 days, before using,
to allow atmospheric mois-
ture to dry out.
PIosteFboord Pointing
Question: We moved into
our new house as soon as it
was finished, but before the
walls were painted. We have
plasterboard walls. How
should these be treated for
painting? Several stains from
hands are on them.
Answer: To remove the
stains. cover the spots with
q thick layer of a paste mix
ture of powdered whiting and
a noninf1ammable spot re-
mover, being sure the room
is well-ventilated. Allow to
remain until dry. then brush
off the powder. repeating the
treatment. if necessary. When
the surface is clean, either a
rubber-baSe or an oil-baSe
wall paint can be applied.
If an oil base paint is
planned. coat the plaster
board first with a primer
oealer.
Mr.. Whitman offers readers
leaflets on a variety of sub
jects concerning home repair
work. If you would like to
have his leaflet Wit. Clean
ing Venetian Blinds and
Shades" send 10 cents In
coin to Roger c. Whitman,
P. o. Box 90, Station G. New
York 10, N. Y.
released by Consolidated News
Features, Inc)