Vinyl siding stains from roof shingles

Q. When I had a new roof put on, the roofer was careful to put up tarps to protect the vinyl siding, but some of the asphalt shingles hit the siding anyway, and made several black/brown marks. The roofer removed those spots with a solvent (tar remover), but that left a yellow stain on the white siding. How can I remove that yellow stain?
JANE

A. The solvent for asphalt is paint thinner, and when asphalt is diluted with paint thinner, the result is often a yellow stain. Try this: Dip a nylon pot scrubber in paint thinner and rub lightly. Too heavy rubbing will burnish the siding, something you do not want. Lightly and persistently wins the race.

Q. My son plans to build me a sun/screen porch using Plexiglas panels secured with Velcro strips. Would that work? Also, the aluminum frames already in place are very old and are dull and pitted. Is there any way I can restore that aluminum to make it look a little better?
LOOKING FORWARD

A. Yes, I think that will work, especially since you plan to take down the Plexiglas and put up screens each year. Make sure the Velcro strips are the exterior type. As for cleaning up the aluminum frames, try this: Dip a nylon pot scrubber in paint thinner and rub vigorously. It will improve the looks of the aluminum but don't expect a big change. I originally suggested using Brillo, but do not use it because it (and steel wool) will leave little shards of steel in the aluminum and they will rust, making it look even worse. And here is an idea: Clean the aluminum and paint it with two coats of a latex solid color stain.

Q. I have nice looking cherry kitchen cabinets, but there are many fingerprints on the finish. How can I get rid of them? Also, there is a white stain on a small spot. What is that and how can I get rid of that one, too?
HELENA, from Canton

A. Try cleaning the finish with paint thinner, then buff with a dry cloth. The white stain is a water stain, which can be removed with abrasion. Rub it with Colgate toothpaste, or wet it with any kind of oil, sprinkle a bit of rottenstone on the oil, then rub. You can buy rottenstone at a hardware or paint store.

Q. I am getting strange leaks from my skylight. There are no roof leaks, but water appears on the inside glass, and drips inside. How can I fix it?
TIRED OF THE DRIPS

A. That water is condensation of water vapor on the cool glass. It is cured by warming up the glass, and the way to do that is to put a storm window on it. Easiest way to do that is to cut a piece of Plexiglas or acrylic and screw it onto the frame under the skylight. Anything rigid and transparent will do.

Globe Handyman on Call Peter Hotton also appears in the Sunday Homes section. He's available 1-6 p.m. Tuesdays to answer questions on house repair. Call 617-929-2930. Hotton also chats online about house matters 2-3 p.m. Thursdays: Go to www.boston.com. Hotton's e-mail is photton@globe.com