HANDYMAN’S CORNER

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 147, 17 March 1933, Page 4

HANDYMAN’S CORNER

STAINS ON OAK DESK

Amateur, Ngaio, writes : I am renovating an oak writing desk, on the top of which are several ink stains. I want to use varnish, but previous experience has shown that this will not cover up the stains. Can they be removed, or must I plane the desk top? Usually such stains will yield to the following treatment: —Put a few drops of spirits of nitre in a teaspoonful of water, and touch the spots with a feather dipped in the mixture. As soon as the ink disappears, rub it over with a rag wetted in cold water, or a white mark will be left. “FROSTING” A WINDOW A.C.K., Wellington, writes inquiring how glass in a bathroom window may be frosted. One method is to apply a coat of fiat paint or washable water-apint to the inside of the window, and, while still wet, stipple with a stippler or rubber sponge; or, at a pinch, a cloth, carefully manipulated, will serve. Other, but less permanent methods are to dab the panes with fresh putty, or to apply a dash of a saturated solution of Epsom salts.

Stained kitchen sinks can often be cleaned with a damp cloth dipped in salt.