Home Office Takes a Click on Wild Side
Q: I’m designing a home office with a jungle motif. I’d like to paint my computer, which is metal and plastic. How do I go about doing it?
S.W.
Laguna Beach
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A: Start by cleaning the surface with an ammonia and water mixture, says paint consultant Charlie Kaczorowski of Tustin. Don’t use a solvent, because it could damage the plastic.
You’ll want to especially remove fingerprints from the keyboard area, because oils could keep the paint from adhering. Once it’s dry and clean, use a 100% acrylic paint; an oil-based paint might affect the plastic case.
Most acrylics are available in everything from high gloss to flat finishes, so you should be able to find something to suit the job.
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Q My propane grill seems to have two hot spots that cook the food placed over them much faster than other areas. Is there a way to fix this so that cooking is even across the grill?
L.L.
Brea
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A: That’s usually caused by one of three things, says Rueben Gallegos of Leisure Living in La Habra. It could be that the burner may be worn and the holes for the gas are bigger in those hot spots, which makes the fire burn hotter in those areas.
Another possibility is that the barbecue is not on a level surface. Propane is heavier than air; if the barbecue is tilted, the propane will shift to that side.
Or it could be that the rock surfaces above the burner are not be even. Many people use lava rocks in their barbecue, and these are often of various sizes, and they don’t transfer heat well. You might be better off with pumice stones, which are evenly sized and provide a more uniform heating surface.
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Q: We’ve got a wingback chair that needs refurbishing. I’d like to use a light fabric for the reupholstery, but the legs are a dark walnut. Is there a way I can bleach the wood to make it lighter?
B.K.
Irvine
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A: To get that lighter finish you’ll have to refinish the legs, says Mark Bausman of Bausman & Father Furniture Refinishing in Huntington Beach.
You could try painting them lighter. An antiquing kit could give you a wood look, but it’s still going to look like it’s been painted. Refinishing involves stripping, sanding and staining.
In projects where you have to sand intricate woodwork, it can be hard to get the sandpaper in there. Try crumpling a fine piece of sandpaper into a ball like you’re throwing it away. Use the sandpaper ball to get into those tight spaces.
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Q: On one of our bedroom doors, the hinges are loose where they connect with the jamb. I’ve tried using longer screws, but the wood in the jamb seems stripped, and I can’t use anything to grip it. Any suggestions?
F.Y.
Buena Park
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A: Start by removing the door and hinges from the jamb, says carpenter Jim Corry of Dana Point.
Where the stripped holes are, glue in some wood dowels, then break off the ends and file them down so they’re even with the jamb. Then drill new holes through the dowels for the hinge screws. This should provide enough grip for the screws to hold in place.
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Q: We have a small guest bathroom just off the dining room that has an electric fan instead of a window. The fan is incredibly loud and buzzy. Can we do anything to make it quieter?
L.L.
Anaheim Hills
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A: Turn off the power to the fan switch and remove the cover, says electrician Dan Miller of Fountain Valley.
Many times the blades on fans such as these accumulate dust and grime, and it may not be operating efficiently. Clean the blades.
Some older fans have a hole in the motor through which you can pour a little light machine oil. If this doesn’t work, you may need to replace the fan with a newer, better quality model.
Most builders don’t spend much money on bathroom fans. The better quality the fan, the quieter it usually is.
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.