‘Chalky’ Door Needs Repainting
Q. My wood garage door is “chalky,” which I assume is because the paint is wearing down. Can I coat it with something to give it more life?
K.B.
Buena Park
A. When you run your hand on wood and get “chalk” on your hands, it’s a sign that the paint is deteriorating, says painter Rob Gaven of Santa Ana. The paint oxidizes because of exposure to the elements and breaks down. You’ll need to wash it down, sand and repaint. And do the same to any other areas painted at the same time as the door.
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Q. A ceiling fan in our bedroom has developed a wobble. When it’s on, it gently swings back and forth. No one wants to walk under it for fear of it coming down. Any ideas on what the problem is?
F.E.
San Clemente
A. Check all the screws that connect the blades to the flywheel, says Carl Mangold of the Fan Man in Cerritos.
If one of those screws is out, it can make the whole fan wobble. Over time, screws can work themselves loose.
Check the fan’s connection to the junction box at the ceiling. Sometimes a screw in there can loosen and cause an imbalance. If everything looks tight, the problem could be warped fan blades. Wood blades will warp because of rising and falling humidity. Blades of other materials can be bent from hitting an obstruction.
It’s easy to find replacement blades for well-known brands, but you may have a problem finding replacements for off-brands.
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Q. The medicine cabinet in my bathroom is too small for my needs. How can a bigger one fit in the old space? Is it a problem cutting the studs to make it fit?
D.K.
La Habra
A. The average-size medicine chest fits between the studs in the wall, making it about 16 to 18 inches wide, says Frank Eckert of Arrow True Value Hardware in Orange.
A wider chest will require you to cut out a space in the studs. This isn’t a problem as long as the wall isn’t load bearing. If you’re not certain, have a contractor examine it and tell you if cutting away the stud would be safe.
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Q. Instead of a fireplace mantel, we have a small metal frame that was put around the firebox and painted the same color as the wall. We’d like to put in a real mantel. Would that be difficult?
J.Y.
Yorba Linda
A. There are so many types of mantels available, you’ll need to check with hardwood dealers and home centers to see what’s best for your fireplace, says carpenter David Griggs of Fountain Valley.
Most mantels are installed by attaching a 2-by-4 to the wall above the fireplace, making sure it’s anchored to the studs. The mantel rests on top of it, and finishing nails are used to connect the mantel to the 2-by-4.
It’s not overly difficult, but you’ll need to take care that the mantel doesn’t tip to one side or the other. Also, because walls aren’t always even, you may need to install some shoe molding to the top of the mantel to give it a finished look.
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Q. I refinished an old rocking chair and used a polyurethane to give it a sheen. On some of the horizontal spokes on the bottom, the urethane left drip marks. It’s not something people would notice, but I don’t like knowing they’re there. Is it OK to sand them down and fix them two months later?
M.T.
Orange
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A. Use light sandpaper and carefully sand out the drips, says woodworker Steve Cortes of Anaheim. Lightly sand the rest of the spoke to score the surface, then wipe away all of the dust.
Drips occur because the coat of finish or paint was applied too thickly. Concentrate on just doing a light coat around the whole spoke. Examine it after 30 minutes to make sure there are no new drips.
If you have a question about your home or garden, A Helping Hand will help you find the answer. Send questions to John Morell, Home Design, The Times Orange County, 1375 Sunflower Ave., Costa Mesa, CA 92626.