Tabletop repairs can be done with the right knowledge

Tablecloths not only protect tables, but they help hide ugly tabletops that have been abused through the years. Most scratches and other blemishes are easy to fix, so you won't need a tablecloth if you don't want to use one. Here are some common problems and easy fixes for them.

Before you do anything else, clean the surface with mineral spirits paint thinner. This needs to be done with proper precautions, listed on the can or bottle. This stuff cleans off any airborne grease, waxes that build up and a host of other greasy substances.

After the surface has been cleaned of the grease and grime, you can see what other damage needs to be addressed.

Minor scratches can be covered or filled with special filler pens. Try to find one that matches your table's finish. They look like a marker pen, but are made to match the wood surfaces of your furniture, and they work quite well.

Other things that can be used in lieu of the pen are shoe polish, wax crayons, felt-tip markers or the meat of a nut, like a pecan or walnut.

White marks caused by setting a hot dish on the surface can be erased by rubbing with a little white toothpaste. Place petroleum jelly on the surface and allow it to soak in as an alternative or additional step if you need it.

Burns that are on the surface can be sanded off. Then you need to reapply some stain or paint to match.

If the burn is deeper, you can sand it off, but you will need to use a plastic wood filler to bring the wood up to the surrounding surface again. Then follow with the new stain or paint finish.

If you have polyurethane finish on your table top, you'll be better protected from damage. If you don't, consider adding it. You can spray or paint it on, and most are clear and will give you a nice shine plus protection - and nothing else really is needed.

Use trivets, hot pads and other protection in the future to help avoid a lot of these issues.

Add a second filter

You can pick up a lot of sawdust, dirt and even liquids with a good shop vacuum. Of course, most are made for shop use and don't filter the pickups very much. If you want a better filter, just add a second layer of protection to your existing filter. Place a pantyhose leg over the paper filter inside the shop vacuum. If you need to hold it in place better, use a rubber band. This is thin enough to still allow plenty of airflow through, but it will stop most fine dust from being spewed back into the air. It also will give you a leg up on cleaning up that dust.

Make painting easier

Painting baseboards, chair rails or crown molding is a big chore. One of the hardest parts of the job is all the masking required. But here's a tip that will eliminate all of the masking. Just pull the trim away from the wall a little bit. You have to be careful doing this, but with the trim away from the wall, you can paint it and even be a little sloppy. When the paint has dried, you can tack the trim back into place, no masking required!

Super hints

• If you get a lot of bugs or road tar on your car or truck, try spraying a little cooking spray on the bottom edge of the doors and fenders. This will keep these gooey things from sticking to your car's finish.

• I'm all for covering furniture tops with glass or clear acrylic sheets to protect them. But one thing I would suggest, if this is your plan, is to install small, clear, flat buttons or bumpers between the table top and the glass covers. This will protect the wood from moisture problems. It also will allow you to put photos or other thin items between the tabletop and the glass. These are available at most hardware stores, home centers and discount stores. You can also have special sizes cut for you at supply houses.

• Glue a magnetic strip onto your broom head or dust pan and it will attract small metal objects like nails and tacks when you sweep. Then you can pull these off and put them back into storage instead of throwing them away.

Q. We had a broken window that we couldn't repair for quite some time. Until we did so, we had a piece of plastic taped over it with duct tape. Now I am having trouble getting the adhesive off the window frame. Got any super solutions I can try?

A. Spray a little WD-40 on the adhesive residue and see if this doesn't soften it up. Then you can wipe it off with a paper towel. It's OK to use a plastic scraper as long as you are careful not to gouge or scratch the surface. It might take a couple of tries to get it all off, but this ought to do it. Good luck!

Q. I need your help. Our dining-room table is all scarred up. What is the best way to "erase" some of these years' worth of scratches on this table surface?

A. Check your hardware store or home center for some easy-to-use scratch fillers. There are some pens that come in a variety of colors to match your current finish. This is the easiest way to conceal most scratches, and even some gouges.

Q. I was cleaning out the bathroom cabinet under the sink and noticed that there are large gaps in the wall where the pipes come through. Should I fill up these gaps up, and what should I use to do this with? It is on an outside wall, so I feel hot air coming through.

A. Expanding insulation foam, like Great Stuff, is the easiest thing to use. It can be sprayed into the cavity and will seal it up pretty well. You can scrape off anything that overflows the hole.

Reader tips

• I really like your recipes for home cleaners and things. I used the boric acid powder to kill roaches in our house, and I think it works great. To keep the powder from getting all over the cabinet, I put it in a matchbox. The bugs still can get to it, but the powder doesn't get spread around. I just refill it when it runs low. It does a good job.

• I know our dishwasher has a heater inside of it, but my wife says the water used to fill it needs to be hot when we start it up. She runs the hot water for a few minutes, until it gets hot before she will turn it on. I feel like we are wasting a lot of money, but after not doing it a few times when it was my turn to start the dishwasher, I really can see the difference. The hot water does clean the dishes better. I hate to admit it, but she is right.

• We have two wood-burning fireplaces that we use a lot during the winter. We used to wait until fall to have the chimneys inspected and cleaned. But I've had to get in line behind a lot of other people one too many times. This year, I called early. Not only was there no waiting in line, but, because it is considered the off season, I got a 10 percent discount, too. From now on, I'll be calling them during the summertime.

• Our fence was put in last year and it looked so good. It has now turned gray, so I decided to try to clean it up. I found some wood brightener that has bleach in it. I used it on the fence and it looks new now. I found a clear water repellent that I put over that to keep it the light color. I hope it stays that way.

• I started hearing a squeaking sound way back in the springtime. It was coming from the attic, but I had no idea what it could be. I kept hearing it and, after months of trying to figure out where it was coming from, I finally did it. I climbed up into the attic and found that it was the turbine vent on top of the roof. I got up into the attic with my spray lube and sprayed it until it stopped squeaking. I went ahead and sprayed the rest of them, too. Finally, it's quiet around my house!

Shoptalk

• Wiss has been making scissors for more than 100 years, and they are known for their versatility and strength. The latest line has a full metal body with titanium-coated blades. These blades are three times stronger than steel, and can cut more than just paper. The line contains a variety of blades for cutting all sorts of shop materials, so you'll be able to find just the one you need. They will cut fabric, but keep them in the workshop too. Look for them at your hardware store or home center. To find out more about this line, as well as the other cutting tools they have, visit www.wisstool.com.

• Elmer's isn't new in the glue game, but its product ProBond Advanced certainly is an innovative newcomer. The special formula is the strongest glue yet. It's great for wood, metal, ceramic, foam, glass, concrete and most other surfaces. It's 100 percent weatherproof, so it can be used indoors and out, yet it's perfectly safe. It gives you about eight to 10 minutes of "open" time to set your clamps or make adjustments. It cleans up with soap and water and, when cured, can be sanded and painted or stained. Look for it at hardware stores, home centers and discount stores. For additional information, go to www.elmers.com.

• Write to Al and Kelly Carrell in care of the Daily Herald, P.O. Box 280, Arlington Heights, IL 60006 or visit the Carrells' website at thesuperhandyman.com.

© 2014, Cowles Syndicate Inc.