Try Oxalic Acid on Tough Porcelain Sink Stains

Question: We have a white porcelain kitchen sink that’s more than 20 years old and is still in good shape, except for some rust stains near the drain. Cleansers don’t seem to work on these stains. Should I try a different strategy?

E.E.

San Clemente

Answer: “You might try picking up some oxalic acid at your local hardware store, which usually comes as crystals in a can or box,” says plumber Steve Milberg of Anaheim.

“While wearing sturdy rubber gloves, wet the porcelain around the rust, then sprinkle some of the crystals around the stain, rub them in, then let it sit for a couple of hours. Turn the faucet on and rub the acid away with a sturdy scrub brush. With luck, the stain will be gone or at least very faded. Try to prevent future rust stains by keeping the sink clean and fix your faucet if it has a drip.”

Q: My wife and I have been looking at antique pine furniture, and I’m amazed at how many stores advertise all these “antiques” they’ve just brought over from Great Britain or France or Italy. I’ve been to Europe, and it’s only so big. I suspect that the majority of these pieces are replicas. How can I tell?

R.S.

Placentia

A: “You’ve got the right attitude about shopping,” says furniture repairman Gary Blaine of Santa Ana. “The best way to do it is go to a shop where they refinish antiques and take a look at some of the pine pieces they’re working on. Try to get a feel for the wood and the craftsmanship to look for.

“Many people will try to sell you an ‘antique’ pine piece that’s not exactly antique. They’ll find an old chest of drawers that’s been thrashed, take it apart, then reassemble it or make a different piece of furniture. These pieces that are made with old or antique wood might look great, and legitimate dealers will label them as being rebuilt with old wood, but they shouldn’t be called true antiques and you shouldn’t pay the extra price for them.”

Q: I have a gas street lamp, about 18 inches tall, that’s originally from The Hague that I’d like to get in working order. The glass needs to be replaced, and I’ve been told the gas line is copper and flakes of it may have come off and plugged the line. Any suggestions?

J.H.

Corona del Mar

A: “I would contact some antique dealers to see if they know of any gas lamp collector’s clubs,” says appliance repairman Art Graves of La Mirada. “There’s a collector for almost anything old, and there’s got to be someone familiar with the lamps who can give you technical advice.

“If you’re not experienced working with gas appliances, I’d recommend having a professional do the job. When you’re working with a gas appliance, it’s very important that the fittings are sealed correctly and that the unit is safe to use.”

Q: In setting up my home office, I’ve got a lot of phone equipment that I’ll be using: fax, answering machine, computer modem, tape recorder and, of course, the phone itself. How many items can I connect to the phone line before I have problems with reception?

T.T.

Seal Beach

A: “As long as the equipment you have is of good quality and in good condition, I wouldn’t worry,” says telephone installer Roger Bartlett of Anaheim. “Modern lines can handle a lot of extensions, and you shouldn’t have a problem. If your phone cuts out periodically, it’s time to have it or your other extensions checked out.”

Handyman’s Note: P.C. of Anaheim Hills has written in response to a recent question we had regarding the installation of a radiant foil barrier on a roof to reduce heat build-up. “The purpose of the foil is not to reflect the sun’s energy, but to prevent the shingles, which have absorbed the energy, from re-radiating it down into the attic.”