Broken Petrol Gauge

New Zealand Listener, Volume 4, Issue 96, 24 April 1941, Page 53

Broken Petrol Gauge

Also, I wonder if any of your wonderful "Daisy Chainers" could help in the following: My husband’s suit was sprayed with some liquid from a broken petrol gauge, which couldn’t be noticed until about half an hour later, when it changed to a blood-red colour. I have tried benzine, and cleaners of every description, and even tried the scrubbing brush, finishing up by putting the hose on it, and all that remains is a dreadful brown stain across the back of the coat. Hubby says it is not worth sending to the cleaners, but it is quite a good suit, and so I have decided to "Ask Aunt Daisy."

G.M.

S.

(Te Aroha)

First, to waterproof the coat, Put Y2Ib. powdered alum and Y2Ilb. sugar of lead into a pail of rain water-or very soft water, if you cannot get the rain water. Let this dissolve thoroughly, stirring every now and again, till the mixture becomes clear, Pour it off into another vessel, carefully so as not to disturb the sediment. Then just soak the raincoat in this. If there is not quite enough liquid to cover the coat properly, more water may be added, and then stir it up again to mix it. Leave the coat in for twenty-four hours, then hang it up to dry, without wringing. This is also useful for waterproofing tents, TO FRESHEN THE COLOUR: — While we are on the subject of navy school raincoats, a question we are frequently asked, is how to freshen them when they are faded. Make up a good reliable dye according to directions, then lay the coat flat on the table, and brush the dye evenly all over it. A nailbrush is a handy little brush to use. If it is very faded in spots, it may need two applications. Then hang it to dry. THE PETROL GAUGE: — I am afraid that we really cannot hold out any hope for the stain on the suit, caused by the broken petrol gauge. We rang up. the specialist in one of the big dry-cleaning firms here, who are always generous to us with help and suggestions; and he said that it is hopeless. There is a quantity of old oils, besides dissolved metal, dirt, and a _ certain amount of acid accumulated in the gauge, and he didn’t seem to think that it would ever come out — it is more than a stain, and has apparently interfered with the dye. However, you could try dyeing the suit, and see if that camouflaged the stain; if your husband does not think it worth sending to the dyers, you could perhaps do it yourself, and if it was successful, they could give it just the professional pressing, and it would be as good as new. Let us know how you get on, won't you?