Auburn Citizen todayshome (Page 12)

Ask The Carey Brothers

By MORRIS and JAMES CAREY

AP Weekly Features

Q: We just moved into a new home that

has Formica kitchen countertops. Our pre-
vious home had ceramic tile. Can you give
me some tips on how to care for this sur-
face? -- Ron

A: The surface you refer to is plastic lam-

inate. There are two different finishes on
plastic laminate counters: slick plastic lam-
inate (which is shiny or glossy) and dull plas-
tic laminate (such as butcher-block or leather-
grain look). In either case they can be washed
with a damp rag and wiped dry. Never use abra-
sive cleansers on plastic laminate because it
will scratch the surface and eventually remove
the finish.Most stains can be removed by
squeezing a fresh lemon over the ugly area.
Let it soak for about half an hour, then sprin-
kle some baking soda over the lemon juice.
Scrub it with a terry cloth rag, rinse and
wipe dry.

Q: The aluminum windows on my house

have an almost concrete-like substance (or
very hard putty) on the exterior, which pre-
sumably holds the windows in place. This

substance is cracking and whole chunks are
falling out of the window. What should I
do? -- James

A: The hard stuff to which you refer is well-

aged glazier's putty. This compound is used
to hold glass panels in place in old-fashioned
aluminum window frames. Very soft and pli-
able when installed, the material naturally hard-
ens until (after many years) it finally reach-
es the extremely brittle state you described.

The large chunks falling to the ground is

your cue to scrape the remaining putty from
each pane. Be careful the glass putty is all
that holds the glass in. Then apply a new
bead.

The trick to applying putty is its soft-

ness. Remove a palm-full from the can, knead
it into a bead about the size of your small
finger, force into where the glass and frame
meet, and then use a glazier's knife or small
putty knife to shape the putty at a 30 to 45
degree angle between the glass and the frame.

Q: I'm shopping for a new dishwasher.

Which one can I rely on for the most quiet

operation? -- Jane

A: According to Consumer Reports,

Kitchen Aid and Whirlpool top the list for
quiet operation, but we don't recommend
that you stop there. Add extra insulation as
part of the installation of your new work-
saver.

You'll need a can of spray adhesive and

a small roll of 1-inch spun glass insulation (your
local heat and air-conditioning contractor
will be your best bet in locating the small
amount of materials that you'll need).

Follow the instructions on the can of

adhesive carefully to achieve a lasting bond.
Apply as many layers of insulation to the
machine as possible while still allowing it
to fit into the cabinet opening. An addi-
tional layer applied to the inside surfaces of
the cavity in the cabinetry where the dish-
washer fits into is also recommended.

Consumer Reports Books publishes a

handy reference called "Guide to Appli-
ances" which may help you to get your
money's worth when purchasing most appli-
ances.

Replacing a wood shingle
If you've got a wood shingle that is bro-

ken and torn, remove and repair it before
the next storm.

First, pull out the damaged shingle. If it

won't slide out, split it with a hammer and
chisel until it breaks free.

If you don't have a spare, buy a match-

ing bundle and use this Carey Brothers' trick
to artificially age it. You can instantly antique
new shakes to match by dipping or brush-
ing with a solution of one pound of baking
soda dissolved in a half-gallon of water. In no
time, they'll be weathered gray. Then add a
coat of wood preservative, and use a utility
knife to trim it one-quarter inch narrower
than the old shingle.

With a wood block, tap it in to a quarter

inch below the row. Then drive two nails
in at a 45-degree angle until flush or as close
to the back edge as is possible. Then tap it into
place, and the nails will disappear under the
shingle above.

March 2006

Today's Home

The Citizen, Auburn, New York

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Auburn Citizen - todayshome (Page 12)