Patch Up Old TV’s Looks With Paint
Question: We have a TV that’s about 10 years old, and the metal top and sides have been painted to make them look like wood. Time has marred the wood-grain finish in a few places, especially in a noticeable spot where we used to keep a plant. Is there a way to fix this?
R.R.
Irvine
Answer: At some paint stores that deal with appliance paints, you may be able to find a specialized paint or stain that could be used to patch those areas, says Steve Willsey of Orange Paint Store.
Many types of appliances use what’s called “powder coating,” in which the paint is applied electrostatically. For home use, you’ll need to mix the paint in powder form with linseed oil to make a patch. If this won’t work, you may need to select a simple, single-color epoxy paint and paint over the “wood.”
Q: I have half a dozen metal kitchen utensils that are badly tarnished, and I’ve been unable to polish them. On the back of each handle is engraved, “pure nickel.” Is there a way to restore them without replating?
D.W.
Orange
A: Nickel is an extremely hard metal, which is probably why you’re having so much trouble getting it clean, says Rick Pushcol of Antique Metal Finishing & Silver Plating in Long Beach.
Silver polish won’t work very well; you’ll have to use something more abrasive, such as brass or chrome polish, but you’ll still need to use a lot of elbow grease or have it machine polished.
You could also check with a silversmith for a product called Perfect Polish, which is used in many industrial applications and is good for most metals.
Q: We’re having a problem with possums digging up the baby’s tears flowers. We’ve had professionals catch and move the possums, but they continue to come back. How can we keep them off our property?
E.M.
Corona del Mar
A: Make your yard less appealing to the possums, which means getting rid of food sources, says Liz Rhodes of the Southern California Possum Society.
Make sure that pet food is kept inside and that trash cans are securely closed. While you see possums digging up flowers, they’re probably after the snails, slugs or other insects in the soil, so you’ll want to control these.
It’s also a good idea to trim any overgrown shrubs or ivy, which is where they like to sleep. You might want to get in touch with the Possum Society ([714] 536-3538) to get more ideas on how to live with possums.
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.
