DO IT YOURSELF

My house was built in the 1960s and has beautiful oak floors thatwere given an oil finish, then waxed. I have been re-waxing themregularly on my hands and knees, but can't keep that up. I want toswitch to a polyurethane finish for the floors. Is that feasible? -V. Battaglini

It is not practical to switch to a polyurethane finish because Idoubt there is a way to remove all that wax and oil from the floorswithout ruining them. However, a moderate investment in a powerbuffer will get you off your hands and knees.

Polyurethane will not adhere to wax, and even small traces of waxcan mar a new polyurethane finish. In addition to the oil and waxthat penetrated the surface of the wood, some has probably gone evendeeper into the joints between the boards and into any tiny cracksin the surface. Plus, many experts think wax is the best of allfloor finishes.

With proper equipment, wax can be beautiful, easy to repair andrelatively easy to maintain. You can buy a power buffer, which canbe used while standing, for about $150, although some buffers costmuch more. For equipment, check home centers in your area and theInternet.

You should follow directions for your buffer, but in general itis best to use a solvent-based liquid wax or cleaner-wax. You cantell if a wax has a solvent base by smelling it; solvents have adistinctive odor that is lacking in those that contain water. It isbest to work on a small area at a time. You will know when it istime to move to the next area when you get the lovely glow that ischaracteristic of waxed floors.

What paint should be used for flat and shingled roofs? -Tommy

Flat roofs are generally coated with a bright white or aluminumcoating that reflects sunlight and helps cool the space under theroof. These roof coatings are especially popular in hot climates,where they can help reduce cooling costs, but they are also used inother climates. Some coatings contain fibrous material that givessome protection to the roof surface. Roof coatings of this type aresold at home centers and are generally applied with a roller.

Coatings or paint for shingled roofs, especially the asphaltshingles used on most residential roofs in the United States, aremore controversial. Some painters say asphalt shingles can besuccessfully painted. An elastomeric paint or roof coating issometimes recommended; these have some flexibility to help deal withthe temperature changes that affect roofs. Other sources say a high-quality acrylic-latex paint can be used.

Behr, a leading paint manufacturer whose products are sold atHome Depot, makes a roof paint that Behr says can be used on avariety of roofing materials, including asphalt shingles, tiles,metal and composition roofing.

However, some painters warn against painting shingles and say anypaint is likely to chip and need frequent maintenance. If a shingledroof is in good condition and is simply faded or a color change iswanted, painting might be a worthwhile option. If a roof is stained,it should be cleaned before painting is attempted. And if a shingledroof is in poor condition, I think it needs new shingles, notpainting.

QUICK TIP: Candle-wax spills on carpets are a common holiday-season accident. If the carpet is an expensive one, the best bet isto call in a carpet pro to remove the wax. For others, here is anoften-recommended method.

Start by very carefully scraping off as much of the wax aspossible with a dull kitchen knife. Next, make a pad of severallayers of white paper towels and cover the stained area. Move a warm(not hot) laundry iron over the paper towels for only a few secondsat first; the object is to melt the wax so the towels can absorb it.Keep checking the results and putting a fresh towel surface on thestain each time. Always keep the iron moving. When most of the waxhas been absorbed, blot the residue with a solvent such as Goof OffHeavy Duty Spot Remover and Degreaser or Goo Gone (these solventsare sold at some supermarkets and home centers).

Always test any solvent on an inconspicuous area of the carpet.Finally, clean the stained spot with a clean cloth moistened withwarm water containing a little dishwashing detergent.

Questions and comments should be e-mailed to Gene Austin atgaus17@aol.com. Send regular mail for Gene Austin to 1730 Blue BellPike, Blue Bell, Pa. 19422.