Salt Air and Metal Get a Reaction

Q. There’s a white jelly that forms around the lower track of my aluminum sliding door. What could this be, and how can it be prevented?

C.K.H., San Clemente

A. It sounds as though it might be caused by a chemical reaction between the salt air and metal and lubricant in the door and frame, says Angel Tavares of Orange Mirror & Glass. It’s very common in homes near the ocean.

The best way to clean it is to use a solution of baking soda and water and a small brush. Brush the area with the solution; rinse it with fresh water, and dry the track completely. Continue this regular maintenance at least once a month to prevent salt damage to the aluminum.

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Q. Is there anything I can do to fix the wooden pull knobs on my kitchen cabinets? They’ve stripped from the screws, and epoxying them hasn’t worked.

C.S., Newport Beach

A. Try using a drill and bore out the old hole so that it’s large enough to fit the end of a wood golf tee or a small dowel, says cabinetmaker Dave Whipple of Santa Ana. Use carpenter’s glue on the dowel or tee, fit it into the hole so that it fits tightly and let it dry overnight.

The next day, break off the tee or dowel that’s extending out and file the broken end down so that it’s flush with the back of the knob. With a very small bit, drill a tiny hole through the middle of the dowel. From there, you should be able to screw through the hole and secure the knob to the cabinet door.

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Q. We have wood blinds in our house, and, no matter how much I clean them, they seem to develop a film of dust a day after they’ve been dusted. What can I use that will keep them clean?

S.A., Buena Park

A. One of the mistakes many people with wood blinds make is they assume that, because they’re made of wood, they should be cleaned with furniture polish, says Leslie Cooper of Bob’s Shades & Linoleum in Orange.

Polishes aren’t designed for use with painted surfaces, and many seem to attract dust particles rather than repel them. When you constantly coat wood with polish, it develops a buildup that can be hard to remove. You may want to use a dry cotton cloth on the slats and occasionally wash them with a solution of mild detergent and water.

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Q. The wood threshold under our French doors rotted out, and it was replaced last year. Now we’re finding that the new threshold is “cupping” in areas, making it hard to open and close the doors. Can this be fixed without having to strip and refinish the threshold?

T.C., Villa Park

A. You can probably remove the threshold and plane the back side of it, says Jim Gorman of Rancho Lumber in Westminster.

Before you reinstall it, make sure you apply a good sealer to all edges, top and bottom. What usually happens is moisture gets in under the threshold and warps the wood, especially if the wood hasn’t been sealed on the underside when it’s first installed.

Also, before you screw it back into place, drill a few more holes for screws to adhere it tighter to the sill.

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Q. My white bathroom towels develop strange yellow stains. Nothing else white in the room turns yellow; any ideas on what this could be?

T.W., Corona del Mar

A. I’d suspect that there may be some rust in your water pipes, says plumber Ken Brown of Anaheim. If it’s older, galvanized plumbing, rust can be forming, and, when the water is turned on, it might splash and hit the towels. You might want to have a professional check the system for deterioration.