Dear Reena: My exterior front door requires re-painting. Before painting, I must choose paint, but I don’t know if the paint currently on the door is latex or oil. Do you know how I can figure that out?
Aron
Dear Aron: Using a cotton ball, wipe a small section of the door with rubbing alcohol. If colour is removed, the paint is likely water-based. To paint over latex, lightly sand the door to promote good adhesion and paint with a coat of primer before applying two or more coats of good-quality paint. If the door is currently oil-based, completely sand the door well before applying primer and good-quality paint. Choosing cheap-quality paint often ends up costing you more because you need more coats for good coverage — not worth the headache in my opinion.
Dear Reena: How many times can I use a teabag before it is garbage?
Darren
Dear Darren: It depends on the tea and the strength that you desire. In my opinion, tea only tastes good with one teabag use. But others suggest that white and/or green tea bags can be used three or four times. Some people agree that a black teabag may be re-used all day, but should be tossed at the end of the day, so that bacteria does not grow on the bag. Others argue that the bag can be used the next day as well, as long as the bag sits in water in the fridge overnight.
Reader feedback
Re: Lubricating Doors
Dear Reena: Your column suggested using petroleum jelly (Vaseline) for lubricating door hinges as being better than sprays such as WD-40. I’ve never tried either since we use the best thing, and that is a solid stick lubricant.
It does not wash off easily, does not attract dust (is not sticky like petroleum jelly), does not stain if you get it on clothes, does not dry out, safe if pets lick it, never needs reapplying if used thoroughly in the first place and prevents moisture from entering.
It is great for use on car-lock mechanisms, door hinges of all kinds, drawer slides, filing-cabinet slides, kitchen cabinet-type hinges, squeaky floor joints (if you can get it in there) and zippers. Available at home hardware stores or online.
Additional tip: To prevent the rubber seals of your vehicle doors/trunk from becoming frozen shut in the winter, especially after washing, condition them with mineral oil (baby oil) or a silicone dielectric grease before winter rolls around. Clean the door seal with soap and water. Let it dry for a day or so. Apply mineral oil onto a wet rag, then apply liberally and thoroughly to seals and let it soak in (don’t close the door). If possible, leave the door open overnight if it is safe to do so (park in garage). If you’ve applied too much, such that the seal is still wet to the touch, wipe off any excess. To prolong life and keep them like new, do this in fall just before it gets cold, then in spring and mid-summer.
Submitted anonymously
Re: Cigarette smell in home
As a tradesman who goes into many homes, I find the most obvious places for cigarette smoke to accumulate are in the air ducts — they need to be thoroughly vacuumed and brushed. Also, ceiling tiles that are removable — that is the quickest place for kids to hide cigarette butts when they hear Mom coming.
John
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