Golden Touch Makes Handles Look Shabby

Oct 14 2007 Ask Donny

Q The handles on my bedroom units are china with a thinning gold band. How can I remove this band?

A I would use Nitro Mors. Pour a small amount into a dish and spread it over the gold band using a small paint brush. Leave for five minutes. Apply a second coat, leave for 20 minutes then rub with an old toothbrush. Rinse with cold soapy water.

Q I want to paint over the varnished pine boarding wall in my kitchen. The area is too big to strip so I am hoping to colourwash over it in a sage green. How can I do this?

A You will need to sand and paint over the existing varnish with two coats of undercoat for a completely white background. Then pour your colour on to a paint tray and use a sponge to apply with a circular motion or up and down, whatever effect suits you.

Q There are dark fungal marks on the walls, coving and ceiling in my shower room. I clean it with a bleach mix every couple of weeks but it always returns. The room has a window and there is no smell of damp. The cubicle is close to the ceiling, with a step up into the shower. I thought of using bathroom paint, tiling floor to ceiling or fitting an extractor fan. Which is best?

A The problem is the room has a low ceiling and the warm damp air from your shower is settling on to the ceiling and wall. Paint with a bathroom paint and open the window when showering so the damp air goes out then dry the area with a towel after use. This may not solve the problem but it will help. You may need to consider lowering the shower tray.

Q Three tiles round the opening of my old tiled fireplace are broken. Do you know anyone who would make tiles to match? I've tried reclamation yards.

A Wm Boyle (www.wmboyle.co.uk, 0141 429 1218) sell 6in by 6in tiles for fire surrounds and Fired Earth (www.firedearth.com, 0141 204 0917) have some with the cracked glazed look called iron bridge.

Q I need a drill for general DIY jobs, such as hanging baskets outside or screwing into wood. What is the best?

A You will need one with hammer action for drilling into the wall for the baskets. The Black and Decker cordless twospeed hammer drill with 18v battery is powerful enough for all your needs. It is less than £100 and the code for it is HP18873B.