Home DIY

it's always going to be there, reminding you.

Or, if you have one, your partner

HA :D

I don't think they're anticipating that much needing to be taken off: http://johnlewis.scene7.com/is/content/JohnLewis/ss16_id_instructionfor35mmvenetianblind_250416pdf

On the other hand, you can get custom sizes from JL for a bit more https://www.johnlewis.com/browse/home-garden/blinds/made-to-measure-blinds-in-7-days/made-to-measure-venetian-blinds/_/N-7gx5?intcmp=cp_hom_M2Mblinds_fobl4_top_venetian_x151016

Think that's the answer. For shame.

Found a first use for the dremel, sanding the top of a small wooden door, where the mortice joint was set a bit wrong and dragged on the frame. Not a full size door, just a mini greenhouse cold frame thing in the garden.

It was brilliant. I like this thing. I will probably have to buy ONE THOUSAND accessories bits for it.

Can it get the sunscreen stains off my concrete?

In other news, acetic acid. I need a lot of it.

Don't have a use for it,
but, kind of want one;

http://www.dm-tools.co.uk/product.php/section//sn/KRGDB210#.WO05N6Lau00

If you haven't already, get the keyless chuck https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dremel-2615448632-Keyless-Quick-Change/dp/B0002SMMY2 Makes switching things far easier.

I have stupidly spilled bright orange/red woodstain on my patio tiles. What's the best way to remove it? Wire wool doesn't work, am I looking at getting a sandblaster or pressure washer ? (please say yes).

Sunscreen will be oily.
Washing up liquid, washing powder, or even dish washer tablet,
all dissolved into water, and left to soak the stain off 'should' work.

Be prepared for the de-stained area to be significantly cleaner than the remainder of your concrete.

Common supermarket-sourced 'vinegar' is dilute acetic acid.
I do not recommend 'net sourcing of 'glacial acetic acid',
unless you have the equipment, (industrial rubber gauntlets/ face protection),
and experience of handling concentrated acids.

What are you going to use the acetic acid for?

Was the woodstain water-based,
or
solvent-based?

Getting the sunscreen off.

I was thinking of galcial acetic acid, but then thought back to locked metal containers and no direct sunlight. I'm more likely to buy litres of distilled white vinegar.

Solvent-based.

The world of chemistry is pretty simple, in some respects.
We can divide the spectrum of chemicals into those that are
water-based, hydrophilic
and
oil-based, oleophilic

Sunscreens, even the piss-thin lotions are oil-based.

The 'glacial' bit of 'glacial acetic acid' means it contains 'no' water.
Glacial acetic acid is so hydrophilic, (water loving), it will 'suck' moisture out of the air,
which is why, [I'm guessing here], the last time you saw glacial acetic acid it was stored in a glass jar, with a ground glass neck & stopper which had a smear of oil on the interface, to prevent any direct contact with the atmosphere, to ensure this glacial acetic acid remained 'glacial'.

Oily stain/water loving acid; see the problem, you need a chemical to allow these two to interact?
Even dropping down to 'vinegar', there will be little interaction with the oily stain.
Luckily we have a whole range of detergents available at reasonable prices to the consumer. Washing up liquid/washing powder/dishwasher tablet.

While I am loathe to deprive you of an opportunity to buy moah tools,
do you really want to physically remove the top layer of your tiles?

Toolstation nearby?
You may be lucky and find simple low odour 'white spirit' is good enough, (TS code 22164),
or,
the standard grade, (TS code 69849/80778).

Other suppliers of white spirit are available.

White vinegar , https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00TZT6GQE/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Asda have the cheapest for a supermarket. 39p per 568ml

I've not done "chemistry" since 1996 probably, but I've worked in a research lab with chemicals from 1998 -2006.

I would guess the properties of sunscreen are attributed to the groups on the hydrocarbon chain. I would guess that acidification, by h+ ions from the weak acetic acid, might "fuck up" the properties of the hydrocarbon chain.

Also, i watched a YouTube video that gdemonstrated acetic acid working on sunscreen stains.

I've thrown some degreaser on a section and have left that to soak.

We can call it a science experiment if you want? Do you want me to to take measurements and do a t test for statistical​ significance?

I am thinking about building a lip at the edge of my shower tray. Obviously it is less attractive, but despite our best efforts the water doesn't drain quickly enough (there is a "fast flow" sink hole thing).

Not the best pic but the green line represents where I'd build the lip.

Any recommendations on what to build it out of or how?

Any warnings?

I thought use the spare tiles cut to size on a ply box, or treated 2x4. Although I think mosaic tiles would be easier.

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NB. ^ the lip has been exaggerated because it was tricky to do on an app.

Apologies for any unintended sleight.
'Most' people give up Chemistry at age 16,
so my answer was intended to help anyone in the future with only residual GCSE Chemistry/the Chemistry bit of Combined Science.

Unless your sunscreen was the of the 'all-oil' type,
the emulsion will be mainly water, then probably a paraffinic oil,
with potentially traces of vegetable oils to enable a marketing claim.

Vinegar/weak acetic acid, or rather the water within it,
is more likely to re-emulsify the oily components than chemically cleave the hydrocarbon chains.
The degreaser, may, just solubilise the oily components and spread them over a wider area of your concrete. This might be enough for the stain to diminish sufficiently for you.
Take any measurements you like.
It is your concrete and your sunscreen.

I wouldn't have thought it would cleave the hydrocarbon chain, more modify the groups on the ends. Sunscreens are hydo carbons aren't they? I dunno. Organic chemistry was just a bit of a drag.

Also no sleight taken really. I'm on holiday and having to be nice all the time. It's a bit draining.

This is the wall but battens similar to this in size..

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Start small, I have one of these and they work nicely.

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Very similar / almost identical to what i'm thinking of doing as the white picket fence has got to go.

It's not a particularly challenging job if you want to do it yourself...

1. Remove brick wall
   
2. Dig holes for posts
   
3. Concrete in posts (probably 3)
   
4. Screw in battens
   
   

Any builder should be able to do it but i would use a fencing specialist if you want a trade. Rated People should provide you with some quick quotes.