READERS’ INQUIRIES

Evening Star, Issue 21632, 30 January 1934, Page 2

READERS’ INQUIRIES

BLISTERED PAINT. “Anxious” writes: “During the winter months I had my house painted and a few months later my back door, which is exposed to a good deal of sun, ami my front windowsills showed signs of blistering. Both had all tbe old paint burnt off before the application of fresh paint. Can you tell me the reason for tbe blistering and a remedy, if any?” [As the result of the old paint having been burnt off' any sealer that might have been there has now disappeared, and the heat of the sun’s rays has drawn the resin from the timber, or it might have been some of the old paint that was just below the surface, in order to ensure against blistering the best method appears to be the sealing of the surface by genuine shellac knotting. The remedy now appears to lie in tbe removal of the paint affected by blistering, and the use of the suggested sealer before the application of fresh paint. Paint remover can be used to clean off the existing blistered surface.] LIQUID GLUE MAKING. “ Industry ” asks for a recipe for the making of liquid glue. [Good liquid glues are obtainable, and I would advise you to consult your hardware dealer. It is often a case of “ a penny wise . ■ to attempt the making of something that may be bought ready made for a small sum. If, however, yon wish to experiment break some ordinary glue into small pieces, and soak it in strong acetic acid. When tbe glue has swollen melt it by placing the bottle in hot water, and adding more acetic acid. About one part of glue to five or six parts of acetic acid will bo required. Another method is to soak Boz of glue in lOoz of water. When the glue is soft, melt it down by heating the bottle in water, then add 2Joz of moderately strong nitric acid (specific gravity 1.3) and continue heating until the fumes have passed.] REMOVAL OF VENEER. “Owner” writes: “I have an oak clock, the cabinet front of which is veneered with mahogany. This is cracked and broken in several places. Can it be removed ” [The job is a ticklish one, best left to an expert, but this is one way to go about it: (1) Make a ring or wall of putty around the piece to be removed. Then beat some linseed oil in a water bath until the water boils. Pour the oil over the veneer and allow it to remain for about three hours. By that time the oil should have soaked through the veneer and softened the glue, insert carefully under the veneer a wide, thin chisel, keeping it wet in hot water; (2) the old veneer may be removed by heating a flatiron and pressing it well against the veneer. The latter can then be readily prized up with a stout knife or chisel. The old glue can be removed with hot water and a rag. The rough surface which is left must be planed up and glasspapered in order to leave the surface fit for polishing.]