Dear Donny

Q Can I paint a drainpipe? I would love to paint it grey to match my door. Jane Smith, by email A Yes, if it’s plastic, use a plastic primer then any top-coat. The primer bonds to plastic allowing you to apply gloss, satinwood or matt paint, or use a UPVC paint directly on to the drain pipe. A mini foam roller leaves a nice finish or aerosol is easy to use.

Q I can feel a breeze coming through my double glazed windows. What can I do? Margaret Mitchell, by email

A I bet it’s not been sealed around the frame. It is usually done with expanding foam, which seals and secures it and is water proof, insulation and draught proofing all-in-one. You’d need to remove the finishes from the ingo (sides) soffit (top) and perhaps the windowsill. Apply it, leave to cure, cut back and re-install window finishings.

Q Years ago, we installed a walk-in shower with a non-slip coating. But the coating doesn’t feel as non-slip as it used to! Can we recoat? Jane, Billingshurst, West Sussex

A You can get anti-slip coating – Plastikote manufacture an aerosol. I’ve never used an anti-slip coating on a bath or shower tray personally but check what the tray is made of – most are acrylic so try an acrylic resin-based coat like PlastiKote clear anti-slip paint.

Q I have a polyresin ornament I’d like to display in my garden. How can I protect it from the elements? Mary Ogilvie, by email

A The main thing to avoid is sun damage and bleaching and things like slime from trees and bushes and bird droppings. Polyresin is a good product – all the maintenawnce it needs is washing-up liquid and warm water. Or Rust-Oleum Crystal Clear is an alkaline protective coating that does not yellow.