Well, Roberta Segel is still having problems with black stains on a rug from the hinges of a bifold closet door. The stains are black and are directly under the hinges when the door is open. The rug is white.
When she first told us about it, we were stumped; all we could think of is that somehow the hinges were scraping in their fixed pins as they moved, loosening small bits of metal that appear black on the carpet where they fell. The hinges were not treated with graphite, said the Wayland, Mass., woman. She added that she cleaned the hinges, even had them replaced with new ones. Obviously, the stains are worse on the rug under the doors opened most frequently.Hmm. One thing that comes to mind is that the white rug simply shows the stains more than, say, on an Oriental or dark rug with a pattern.
So, one again into the breach, rides the handyman. Perhaps a little WD40 sprayed on the hinges will make then work more smoothly, without as much scraping. Or, use white graphite. Even these tricks might not work because these materials can get dirty, and if they drop on the carpet, they will definitely show.
Hinges on bifold doors are usually brass-plated steel, which should not emit anything that would stain a rug. A vague possibility: If by any chance the hinges are aluminum, they could rub off a black color. We all know how our hands get black when we handle aluminum.
These may be lame answers, so the handyman tosses the question to readers who might have had similar problems and possibly a solution, and who are willing to share their successes.
Any ideas?
Question - I pulled up the rugs from my wide-pine board floors, and found black paper stuck to the wood. I would like to sand and finish the floors. How can I get that black paper up? - R.L., Medford, Mass.
Answer - The paper is virtually welded to the floor; it is likely that no glue was used, so scraping will probably do it. Scrape the paper with a long-handled ice scraper, or any chisel-type device you can put your back into. If the paper is particularly balky, you can rent a power scaper that could ease the work. Soaking the paper with hot water may help. Once the paper is off, sand and finish. Contrary to popular opinion, there is no need for special care when sanding a softwood floor. Standard sanding is all you need.
Question - I have to install weatherstripping in some casement windows that have no stripping that I can see. There is a small groove in the middle of all edges of the casements. I was told I need a V-type stripping to fit into that groove. Where can I find it? - Mark Chladenhauffen, Taunton, Mass.
Answer - The V-type stripping is vinyl, and snaps into the groove for a good seal. It is called horizontal weatherstrip, and is distributed by Brosco (Brockway-Smith). Your local lumber store should be able to order some for you. At least that is what the handyman used to weatherstrip certain parts of a wood window. While the stripping is called horizontal weatherstrip, it can be used in vertical applications with a casement window.
Question - I'd like to have my dishwasher racks redipped. The plastic is wearing off and the racks are rusting. Where can I find a dipper? - Theresa Amuzzini, Randolph, Mass.
Answer - Try "Tool Dip," rubberized dip for tools, sold in hardware stores. Dip or brush on rack tines.
Another way to go is with little plastic sleeves that slip over the tines; that is, if only the tines are rusting. They are sold in the Improvements catalog 1-800-642-2112.
Question - My 20-year-old house has Masonite siding, which has been damaged in some places by water. I'd like to replace the damaged siding, but contractors said they can't get it. Where can I find some? - Dick Smith, Pepperell, Mass.
Answer - Such hardboard siding is around, or at least it has been, but it may, indeed, be hard to find. In fact, some makers of hardboard siding are involved with suits over allegedly defective siding. If your stuff is Masonite, you can call them at this number: 800-339-1433, to see if it is, indeed, still around, or whether you can get some redress. It won't hurt to try.
A possible solution is to buy some tempered hardboard (very hard and water resistant) and cut it to the same shape as your damaged siding, and install it yourself. Prime and paint and it might be good for awhile. No guarantees.
Anything that tries to imitate wood siding just doesn't cut it, in the handyman's opinion, and that goes for asphalt, asbestos, aluminum, and vinyl, as well as hardboard. You'd be better off taking it off and putting up cedar clapboards or shingles, and staining them.