If Old Paint Doesn’t Come Off, Paint Over It

QUESTION: We’ve scraped, wire-brushed and power-sanded flaking paint from our garage in preparation for painting, and still, in some spots, we can’t get the paint off. What do you recommend?

ANSWER: If paint is hanging on that tightly, don’t remove it. Sound paint will not interfere with the bond of the new paint. If your idea is to remove all paint so the finished surface will be really smooth, feather the edges of the remaining paint with medium sandpaper.

Fiberglass Panels in Need of Paint

Q: The fiberglass privacy panels at one end of our patio are stained badly and would look better with fresh paint. What is the correct way to prepare them and paint them?

A: Try cleaning the panels with isopropyl alcohol, then buffing them with white buffing compound and a polishing disk mounted on a portable drill.

The result may cause you to think twice about the need for painting. If you still wish to paint, wipe the panels down with naptha, rinse with water and then apply latex.

Maintenance Keeps Dishwasher Humming

Q: We’ve had several problems with our dishwasher. The serviceman said regular preventive maintenance we could perform ourselves would have eliminated most of our service problems. Is this true?

A: Your serviceman is correct. Home appliances, like automobiles, respond well to preventive maintenance. An easy job that will keep your dishwasher humming efficiently is to clean the spray arm and drain area periodically.

On some models, the filter screen and drain are in plain view; others require some disassembly to access.

Turn off the electrical power to the dishwasher. Remove the bottom spray arm and filter screen and clean them with a scrub brush. Loosen any lodged particles in the spray holes with a piece of stiff wire. Clean the top spray arm without removing it.

Clear away particles from around the pump cover and drain area, and remove any buildup of mineral deposits from the heating element, using vinegar and a scrub brush. Make sure both spray arms turn freely. If they don’t, check for debris or mineral buildup around the pivots.

Some standing water should remain visible at the bottom of the drain. This keeps the pump seals from drying out. But standing water should not touch the bottom of the heating element. If it does, check the drain holes for kinks or sharp bends.

Siding Covers Up One of Gable Vents

Q: Our home’s previous owner closed off one of the gable louvers when he installed aluminum siding. One other vent was left open. Is there a way to get adequate ventilation without removing the siding or tearing up a lot of shingles?

A: Your problem is common in houses that have been re-sided with aluminum. Many installers cover vents with siding that has only small slots, and these give inadequate ventilation. Installers should frame around the vent, then trim around the framing with siding, so the vent size is not reduced.

One easy way to correct your problem is to install a roof vent on the rear slope of the roof so it is not visible from the street. Your contractor should place the vent near the gable end and cut a hole in the roof just large enough to contain the vent casing. This way, very few shingles will have to be disturbed.

For further information on any home problem, write to Popular Mechanics, Readers Service Bureau, 224 W . 57th St . , New York, N . Y . 10019.