INSIDE & OUT : In the Wilds, Wood Needs Extra Care

Q. I have a mountain cabin with a redwood deck that’s 20 years old. It’s time to refinish it, and I’d like to use a stain that dries rapidly and shows the true redwood color. Any ideas?

E.C., La Mirada

A. You always need to properly treat exterior wood, but in a mountain environment it’s extremely important to maintain woodwork, says Jim Craig of Decratrend Paint in Anaheim. The moisture a deck there faces, especially in a winter like the last one, means that you must always protect it from moisture damage. You might try a complete stripping and sanding of the deck to remove any of the old finish, then apply a clear or semitransparent penetrating oil stain. Instead of an oil stain, you could also use one of the new water-based sealers. These are easy to use and clean up, and some brands protect the wood from ultraviolet light. If you plan to keep the cabin for a while, get used to this job--in that environment it should be done every few years.

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Q. I have a fiberglass bath and shower enclosure that has developed gray deposits in various spots. I’ve tried lots of different cleaning products, but none seem to work very well. Any ideas on what I can use?

V.A., San Clemente

A. You’re probably getting calcium and soap deposits in the corners, says Marie Borm of A-1 Shower Door in Anaheim. You can try putting a solution of vinegar and water in a spray bottle and spraying it on the deposits.

Then, keep it moist for a few hours by spraying the areas periodically during the day.

Using a non-scratching nylon scouring pad, try to rub the deposits away.

What you don’t want to use is any type of cleaner that has acid or an abrasive cleanser, which can permanently scratch and harm the fiberglass.

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Q. Our front sidewalk has rust and fertilizer stains. Is there a trick to removing them?

D.M., Anaheim

A. There are several concrete cleaners at your local hardware store. Start with some of those and a good stiff brush, says contractor Andrew Morris of Huntington Beach.

If those don’t work, the stain has probably seeped below the surface and you’ll need something stronger, like a muriatic acid solution.

Of course, you’ll need rubber gloves and protective glasses when working with acid, and also be sure to cover the lawn or any plants that are near.

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Q. Recently, I was told that my home was wired with aluminum and that I should have copper wiring installed at each switch and outlet. Is this a good idea?

J.G., San Juan Capistrano

A. If you’re having electrical problems that can be traced to the wiring, then it may be a good idea, says Kathy McNally of McNally Electric in La Habra. If you find that lights are flickering or that outlets seem warm, that may be an indication that a problem is developing; it should be checked immediately by a licensed electrician. If you’re not experiencing these problems, you may not need to do this job. Aluminum wiring is no longer approved for use in homes. However, if it’s been properly installed and you’re not having electrical problems, you can leave it alone.

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Q. I painted my bathroom with an oil-based paint and got some drips on the tile floor. I got the drips off the tile, but I haven’t been able to remove it from the black grout. Any suggestions?

S.B., Irvine

A. Since it may be difficult to scrape paint off grout, try a little paint thinner on a rag, says Tere Corrigan of In Tile Designs in Anaheim. If that doesn’t work, you may want to use a small grout saw to scrape off the spots if you have just a few to remove. If the dripping is extensive, you may want to use a grout colorant to dye the grout to its original color.