Q–When hanging wallpaper I am confused as to how I should hang the strip next to and over the door frame. Some tell me that I should slit the strip lengthwise to the width needed to fit up against the vertical side of the door frame, then finish by using the rest of the strip to go between the top of the frame and the ceiling.
However, others tell me to hang the full width of the strip so that it overlaps the side of the frame, then cut diagonally in from the corner as one does when fitting around a window frame. Which method do you prefer?
A–The second method will be neater because you do not create a new seam over or alongside the door frame.
Hang the full-width strip against the wall and let it overlap the door frame as though it were not there.
Then use scissors or razor blade to cut diagonally up from the corner to permit flattening the top part of the strip against the wall above the door.
Crease into place along the side and top of the door frame, then trim off excess with a razor and smooth the paper down against the molding edge with a seam roller.
Q–I am trying to remove some round, non-skid disks about five inches in diameter that are stuck to the bottom of my bathtub. I have tried lighter fluid, but this has not worked. Can you help me?
A–Your best bet is to heat these decals with a hair dryer, heat gun (set on low) or with a heat lamp of some kind. This will soften the adhesive on the back so that you will be able to peel the “stick-ons” off.
If any of the sticky residue remains on the tub, you can wipe it off with one of the liquid adhesive removers sold in hardware stores and home centers.
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Have a question about home repair problems? Write to Bernard Gladstone in care of Your Place, Chicago Tribune, 435 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611. Questions of general interest will be answered in future columns. Sorry, letters cannot be answered personally.
