Dear Donny

Q

We have fitted new blinds in our conservatory but have small holes left from the old brackets. What can we do?

Margaret Keith, by email

A

Use fine 240 grade wet and dry paper to lightly sand off any rough edges, then use a plastic filler or silicone from any DIY store to fill them. Q The boundary wall in my driveway is about 50 years old and has been rendered and roughcast twice in that time. Water seeps through it and the rendering is losing its bond again. What would you suggest to solve this problem? AM Crozier, by email

A

You could try tanking your side. Modern silicone renders such as K Rend and JUB are silicone-based and repel water, and can be used in conjunction with a mesh that provides a mechanical key to keep the render on the wall. I suggest checking out the websites of those two manufacturers.

DONNY’S TOP TIP

When painting a wall with emulsion leave the first coat to dry properly, even overnight, as this will obliterate the old existing coat faster than putting on a second coat before the first is properly dried off.

Q

What can I use as a barrier to stop marks showing through emulsion paint when applied to new plaster?

Patrick McLaughlin, by email

A

You need a shellac stain blocker. I use Zinsser B-I-N which also acts as an excellent primer.

Q

I have a kitchen unit door with a plastic gloss finish. The plastic has become bubbled and uneven in places. How would I fix this? Robert Jones, by email

A

The plastic coating should just peel off the MDF part of the door. Simply apply a primer and an undercoat to the bare MDF. You’ll then need to buy a gloss paint top coat which exactly matches the old shade – many DIY stores offer this service if you take the old coating along to colour match it, ideally in aerosol form.