Dear Donny

QAWe have a thick, natural oak shelf that was sanded and treated with wax when it was installed. It has since warped. What’s wrong? Alison Murphy, by email The wood was fitted before it acclimatised to the conditions of the room, so it’s dried too quickly over a radiator. It should have been stored flat on the ground for a week or so. The way it works with timber is it gets used to the moisture content, which can vary depending on the time of year. It’s the same with solid wood floors – leave them to shrink or swell. This is why most people go for engineered wood rather than solid wood as it’s far more stable. Q

Some paint has peeled away off our microwave. Can I sand it and re-paint? John Carlin, by email A

Yes, but only on the outside. I’m not sure how the heat/microwaves would affect an internal repair.

DONNY’S TOP TIP

Have a squeegee in the bathroom and try to remember to wipe down tiles and the shower screen after a shower so you can keep it clean as you go.

Q

How can I repair a chip on my plastic bath?

Stuart Hayes, by email

A

You can get acrylic bath repair kits that are a two-part filler. As there are hundreds of shades of white, your only problem will be getting the right colour code of your bath, which the retailer or manufacturer can give you. Fill the chip and sand it to the profile of the bath, which can take a bit of skill. Q

We have an old cast iron bath but can no longer get a specific non-abrasive product to clean it. Any ideas? Hazel Board, by email A

Abrasive cleaners are a nightmare especially on Upvc or any polished surface. Throughout the ages, people have used baking soda and hot water. Lemon juice and hot water is good for breaking down grease, and brown vinegar with newspaper works well, especially for glass. Barkeepers Friend Power Spray is a gentle one, too.

SEND YOUR QUESTIONS TO: diy.donny@trinitymirror.com