Features
Changing bulb doesn’t help lack of refrigerator light Q: Our refrigerator light bulb went out, and we tried replacing it with two new ones, but we’re still in the dark. What should we check out next? A: There are two obvious causes for a refrigerator
Q: Our refrigerator light bulb went out, and we tried replacing it with two new ones, but we’re still in the dark. What should we check out next?
A: There are two obvious causes for a refrigerator light not turning on when you open the door: The switch is bad, or the bulb is burned out. Your first step should be to check the bulb.
If the bulb’s filament appears intact or a new bulb doesn’t light when installed in the socket, chances are good that the light switch has failed.Write down the refrigerator’s make and model number and locate an appliance store that has the part. Begin the repair by unplugging the refrigerator and inserting a putty knife between the switch and the refrigerator breaker trim. Prevent marring the trim by wrapping the putty knife with masking tape.
Gently pry on one side then the other until the locking tabs on the switch release. Disconnect the two wires on the old switch and connect them to the new switch. Press the new switch down until its locking tabs snap into position. Plug the refrigerator in, and test the switch. With the refrigerator door open, the light should come on when the appliance is plugged back in. Press on the switch, and the light should go off. If it operates in reverse of this, you’ve accidentally reversed the switch wires.
Q: We are fixing up our bathroom, and the biggest problem is our old tub. Is there a way we can refinish the tub ourselves?
A: You can buy a refinishing kit for about $75, but many people report a high failure rate with these kits. The problem lies in getting a good bond between the new epoxy coating and the old tub finish. To get the best bond, you must get the bathtub as clean as possible.
Clean the tub with TSP (trisodium phosphate) solution and a stiff-bristle scrub brush or sponge. Sand the surface to break the glaze of the porcelain finish. Use 80-grit wet-dry paper to wet sand the tub.
The final step is to apply the epoxy. This comes in a resurfacing kit that contains the necessary tools – rollers and brushes – plus the epoxy finish and instructions.
Because professionals use heat to cure their epoxy finishes, they estimate that the new surface will hold up for as long as seven years. With a careful and complete cleaning and sanding job, you should get at least five years service from a refinished tub before the process has to be repeated.
To submit a question, write to Popular Mechanics, Reader Service Bureau, 224 W. 57th St., New York, NY 10019. The most interesting questions will be answered in a future column.
