Peeling wallpaper can be less painful

Wallpaper has come a long way since the old days of hand printing and gluing it up to stay forever! Now they make strippable wallpaper just to make changing it quicker and easier. After all, how will the manufacturers make money if it stays up forever?

However, if your paper is old and isn't peeling off easily, we have some suggestions to help speed up the process.

There is a super little gadget called the Paper Tiger that is a must, no matter what else you use to get the old stuff down. This round tool is rolled over the surface and makes lots of tiny holes in the paper. These will let water, steam or chemicals through the paper, and your work will go much faster. Look for it at your hardware store.

Sometimes just putting warm water on the wallpaper will help to loosen it. You can apply it with a mop. Just make sure you use a dropcloth on your floor.

A special steamer is also a great tool. You can buy a small version if you have a lot to do, or you can rent one. You place the flat side on the paper and let the steam penetrate the surface and loosen the old adhesive. Then you use a wide putty knife to peel the paper off.

There are chemical strippers, too. These actually are pretty good, and not as dangerous as they sound. The gel types stay on the wall easier, for obvious reasons. It can get costly if you have a lot of paper to remove, but might be worth it if it's a smaller room.

Before putting the new paper or paint on the surface, clean the wall one final time. Use trisodium phosphate, or TSP, to thoroughly clean the wall of any grease or leftover adhesive. Then texture, prime and paint or apply new wallpaper. Don't forget to use sizing and strippable paper this time. After all, it might have been easier with our help, but it's still not too much fun!

Wire mesh makes for easy cleanup

Whether it's sawdust or just regular dust, it will find its way into your shop's cabinets and drawers. Vacuuming it out is the easiest way, but it's hard to do without sucking up everything else in the process. But it can be done. Just set a piece of wire mesh, even a window screen, over your drawers or cabinets and vacuum through that. It will let the dust through, but not smaller tools or hardware. You can quickly clean out any drawer, even inside the house, in just a few seconds.

Old flashlight makes handy tool kit

Just because that big old flashlight doesn't work anymore doesn't mean it's useless. Remove the battery and fill the (usually waterproof) interior with a small supply of tools to carry in your car or boat. A couple of screwdrivers, some radiator tape, electrical tape, flare or snap light, and a few other assorted tools could come in handy if you are stranded on the side of the road. And don't forget that a new, smaller flashlight also can be included inside the big one. You also could load it with standard first-aid-kit items like antibiotic cream, tape, bandages and other necessities.

Super hints

• Carving a jack-o'-lantern isn't nearly as scary if you cut a large circle out of the bottom rather than the top and create just a small hole near the top for smoke to go out. Then you can set your creation on top of a lighted candle in a holder and not have to fumble to light it inside the pumpkin.

• When servicing your lawn mower for winter storage, don't forget to have the blade sharpened. Just remember that the sharp edge could rust, and give it a liberal coating of oil or grease to protect it during storage.

• If you are going to try a faux finish, think about some interesting tools other than a sponge to get the textured look. Try a wadded-up plastic bag or a scrap of carpet. You could use a comb, some cardboard or even a broom. Get creative and see what else you can come up with. It's all about having fun!

Q. I would like to strip the paint off my cabinets in the den and stain the wood. They are old, and I am worried that they might contain lead. What should I do?

A. Lead-based paint was outlawed in 1978, so unless they are really old, you probably are OK. You can buy a simple test kit at a paint store to check it out. If they do have lead on them, don't sand or scrape them. Replace the doors, or just prime and paint over them.

Q. My hardwood floors were renovated a while back, and I have noticed some areas that seem to have bubbles in the finish. Can you explain how this would happen?

A. It's rare that a professional refinisher would have this result. The bubbles probably are there because the polyurethane was shaken before it was applied. About the only way to get rid of them would be to remove the finish in that area and apply a new finish. You might be able to sand them out if they are not too deep, and then apply another coat. We would suggest calling the people who caused the problem to see if they would be willing to fix it.

Q. We are trying to buy a new home. Do we need to contact an inspector?

A. We suggest doing so. Even if the seller has already arranged for one, we think hiring your own is a good investment. In some states, it's even required. In addition, we also would recommend termite, foundation and other independent inspections. It's the largest investment most of us make, so it pays to be an informed buyer.

Q. I have what I think is an oil or grease spot on my bar countertop. It's made of some sort of rough, natural stone tiles. What can I use to remove it?

A. Wipe the oil spot with a rag and some mineral spirits paint thinner. This will help dissolve the oil, and it should come up with the rag. You can try putting some cornmeal over the stain to absorb any residue. Then use a mild detergent to clean the surface. You might consider using a sealer to prevent stains and grease from soaking into the surface.

Reader tips

• We have two golden retrievers. They are getting older, and we prefer to bathe them at home now instead of taking them to the groomer's to have it done. After clogging up the bathtub a couple of times, I have found a great way to prevent hair clogs in the drain. I place a piece of steel wool over the drain and let it catch the hairs. Then I can just take it out and throw it away, or clean it to use again. It's simple to put in and take out, and saves me a lot of time plunging!

• I think it's good to carry a small sheet of plywood in the trunk of your car to make changing a tire easier. You can sit on it if the ground is muddy or place it under the jack if the ground is too soft. It also can be used to increase traction on ice if you get stuck. I just keep a small scrap handy.

• I cook a lot and buy potatoes in large mesh bags. Instead of throwing them away, I reuse them for groceries. They are super handy, and I can take them right to the market with me and fill them up. The handles are strong, and the bags don't weigh much. They also are great for storing the kids' toys when they get too much stuff in their rooms.

• My dad gave me his recipe for furniture polish: You just mix one part plain household vinegar with three parts olive oil. It is super easy to do and really gives the wood a beautiful shine. Plus, it doesn't have that harsh smell that some furniture polishes have. You can mix it up fresh when you are ready to use it, and even make some extra for your dinner salad!

• I wanted to surprise my wife by washing her car after the football game. Unfortunately, the game went into overtime and lasted longer than I thought it would, so I had to hustle to get the job done before she got back home. I got it washed quickly but needed to dry it in a hurry. So I grabbed the leaf blower and used that to dry the car. It actually worked great, and I will use it again. No spots, either!

Shop talk

• Bathroom and kitchen remodeling are the top two mostly costly remodeling projects. So, it pays to do your homework before you start. Sunset has upgraded its book line to include Design Guides for the kitchen, and another for the bathroom. Each book contains tons of ideas and plans to help you get started. They also include a DVD with a professional software planning guide that lets you "see" what you are planning in 3-D. It allows you to try different floor coverings, cabinet finishes, paint colors and even wallpaper. When you have finished going through these books, you will have done the homework required to save yourself some money and get the results you are hoping for. Look for this line of Sunset Books at your home center, bookstore or online. For additional information, visit www.sunsetbooks.com.

• The Tradesberry Multi Tool is a must-have gadget for the do-it-yourselfer. It's a digital calculator, clock, compass, level, LED flashlight, screwdriver, stainless knife, level and tape measure all in one handy, easy-to-use tool. The calculator is obvious, right on the front panel, and the clock is large and easy to read there as well. And the other gadgets are easy to access along the sides. The spring-loaded clip makes it super easy to hang on your belt, tool belt, toolbox or anywhere else it might be convenient to use. The Tradesberry Multi Tool is available at hardware stores, home centers or online at www.phillips-screwinnovation.com.

• Write to Al and Kelly Carrell in care of the Daily Herald, P.O. Box 280, Arlington Heights, IL 60006 or visit the Carrell's Web site at www.thesuperhandyman.com.

© 2008, Cowles Syndicate Inc.