Dear Donny
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I have splashes of grease from hot food on a living room wall and I want to repaint over them. What’s the best way to do this?
Jackie Baddams, via email
Use dry sandpaper then an aerosol can of Zinsser B-I-N paint to spot spray the affected area, or buy a tin to do the whole wall.
QI recently bought a bungalow. I have a north-facing backyard which hardly gets any sun and at present it has York stone-type slabs, but they are very old. What could I replace them with?
Cynthia Stockdale, via email
I would just have them cleaned as I don’t mind wear and tear. If you want to replace them, gravel is a good zero-maintenance option.
Q
I have inherited some lovely, solid pine, hand-made bedroom furniture. Sadly there are a few stains on the cupboard tops. How can I restore them please?
Jackie Glynn, via email
A
It depends on the finish. If your pine is waxed – the most likely option – use steel wool and white spirit to break down the coating and then sand the surface. Then take a lintfree cloth and work in three fresh coats of furniture wax. Add more coats if you want a darker colour.
AIf you ever get chewing gum stuck on clothing, just brush on egg white with an old toothbrush and leave for 20 minutes. Then stick the item into the washing machine for a normal wash and the chewing gum should be gone. Q
Please can you tell me what is the best paint to use for a wall that has suffered damage from flooding.
Lesley Ann Mcginty, via email
A
If you’ve had flood damage then the plasterboard needs to be stripped out and replaced. Once plasterboard gets wet it is ruined and no matter what paint you use, it won’t conceal the damage, I’m afraid.
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