DIY DONNY

Our expert answers your questions

Q What is the best thing I can apply to paintings I have done to keep them clean and sparkling without actually framing them behind glass?

Diana Davey, by email

AThe only products I can think of are Rust-oleum’s Crystal Clear or Polyurethane Finish. Both give a clear finish, but do a test first to make sure you are happy with the results.

Q I recently painted my damp course with bitumen paint then put Sandtex masonry paint on top. Very quickly the bitumen has bled through the masonry paint and it looks a mess. What can I do? Malcolm Campbell, by email

AThat sounds like a disaster. The problem with bitumen is that it sweats when it gets warm. The only thing I can think of is to have a look at the website of a company called Sika who manufacture primers/ sealers for difficult substrates, and check it will work on a wall covered in bitumen. You could

Q

Can you recommend anything that will clean yellow marks from luxury vinyl floor tiling? Madeline Charlton, by email

Aalso try Sandtex stabiliser, left, but I don’t know if it would work, so do a test patch. Another strategy would be to wait for a very cold day and then try and chip off the offending bitumen. My top cleaning product is Bar Keepers Friend – I love the stuff. As with all cleaning products, do a test patch on a hidden part of the vinyl flooring first to check all is fine.

Q We have a bitumen line across the wall of our house where an old lean-to once stood. Is there anything that will remove this please?

Pat Watson, by email

A

I’d use an abrasive pad that fits onto a grinder such as an Abracs Poly Abrasive Disc, 115mm x 22mm, left. You can get them from Toolstation for £6.87. These discs are great for cleaning stone or brickwork.