No, this isn't about spilling brake fluid on painted floors
(although that combination might deserve discussion). I've
actually caught up with about a week's backlog of SOL readings
and wanted to comment on two items.
William Hartwell Woodruff (Bill?) asked about painting garage
floors. I didn't see any followup, but am also interested in
the process for both garage and basement. Consumer Reports did
an article on this in the past year or so which is probably
worthwhile reading. This week I visited a Duron paint store (house
being painted, paint didn't match sample, but that's another
story!) and saw a display regarding a "floor stain" product.
I asked about it and it sounded interested. They claim it is
truely a "stain" in that it sinks into the concrete. The process
is to completely clean (he said use whatever it takes) and then
etch with Muratic acid. The process takes two coats and wants a
few days to cure completely (he cautioned against parking cars
with hot tires on it during the curing time). The can says it
covers 200-250 sq ft, so 3-4 gallons should do a double garage. The
stuff costs about $25 per gallon -- OUCH!
Will Sadler mentioned trouble finding DOT 5 brake fluid in IN. The
PO of my TR-6 had switched to DOT 5 and had a small container floating
around in the trunk. (In all fairness to POs, this guy went out of
his way to warn me of various issues including making sure I understood
the uniqueness of DOT 5 fluids). Anyway it was generic branded
NAPA DOT 5 fluid. Not sure whether the stuff is particularly good
or bad, but I bought more to be consistant. You are right that most
"automotive department stores" don't have it, but you probably have
a NAPA (I think they are nationwide). Interesting side note: I've
noticed that places like Wal-Mart now have Castrol LMA DOT 4 fluid.
This surprises me unless it is sold as a "premium" brake fluid. Or
are there other cars ('Merican ones, sold in great volumes) which
require the stuff. Who knows, maybe old Sam Walton used it in his
pickup and wanted to be sure there was a supply :-).
My latest TR-6 repair has turned out well. After a tow home for
what I knew on the spot to be a clogged fuel line, a rather
uneventfull repair session offered out a gooey piece of what looked
like a rubber plug of some sorts which had found its way into the
fuel line. That's clear now, but I wonder what's left.
Joe Flake
joe_flake@hpatc1.desk.hp.com
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