HANDYMAN’S CORNER

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 29, 28 October 1932, Page 6

HANDYMAN’S CORNER

Inquiries ’ on. home • design, building, «tid‘furnishing problc/ns are invuited by Handyman, who will answer them to the best pf.his ability in this corner. .tetters sbould-bc addressed to "Handynmn,’' Homo Section, “The Dominion/* and it must be understood that none will be answered by mail. lla n dy home'hints ‘ from readers will be welcomed, MENDING BROKEN CHINA “A.E.5.,” Seatoun, supplies the following information in response to tiie inquiry from “D.M.5.,” AVairoa: “Artist’s flake white (in a tube, costs 6d.), obtainable at any colour merchants, is a splendid- medium for repairing china. Moisten the two edges with methylated spirits and .apply the cement. Allow to harden, for about, sis weeks, when the repaired . .article should stand ordinary washing.”''' PAINTING AN IRON ROOF “New Owner”- writes: “Recently I purchased a new bungalow with an unpainted roof of corrugated iron. I understand it is best to wait before painting it.- If so, how long, and what is the best type of paint? The house is near the sea.” The sheeting. is' ’best left for a few months to kill the acids in the galvanising by contact with the air. .Before painting the surface needs cleaning. While oxide paints arc generally used, the.best results pre more likely to bo obtained- by using a bituminous paint. There is not a wide range of; colours in these paints, but many reds can lie obtained. It is not necessary to paiut the underside, unless seen from -the interior. Sea-air acting upon paint in ordinary way id likely to cause flaking, therefore bituminous compounds should be used. LIMED OAK RECIPE "Experimenter” writes:-“1 am constructing a cabinet out of oak and would like to give it a limed finish to match a suite. Can this be done in an amateur’s workshop?” The operation as carried out by specialist firms is intricate. The wood is covered with slaked lime, which is allowed to dry for a few hours. Then, under, great pressure, the lime is removed by sandblast, producing the light tawny shades so much admired. “Experimenter” can obtain a similar effect by coating oak with a thick paste slaked lime, allowing it to remain for a few hours. It is removed by vigorous rubbing, and later tbe.whole of the surface can be gone over with an oiled rag. linseed being preferable. Several applications are needed, and if bo- . tween coats the surface is rubbed with a clean duster, a dull polish will appear.