PAPER CLIP STAPLES CAN KEEP PICTURES IN THEIR PLACE

Most picture frames have some sort of clips on the back to hold the picture and backing in place. Sometimes these are nothing more than staples. If they’re not installed correctly or are missing altogether, you can make your own from a paper clip or two.

Use wire cutters to cut off the rounded ends of the metal paper clip along with about one-quarter inch of the sides. Since a paper clip has three bends in it, you can get three "staples" from it. Try to cut these at an angle to make it easier to drive them into the back of the frame with a tack hammer. These work great and are much tougher than an ordinary staple.

THE ANSWER IS . . .

Question: My toilet has a push-button flush. It is supposed to come back out, but sometimes it doesn't and the toilet just runs. How do I fix this?

Answer: The button is probably sticking on mineral deposits. Try spraying a little lubricant into the mechanism and see if that doesn't dissolve the deposits. Work the button in and out and see if that doesn't help. Warm vinegar also dissolves these deposits.

Q: My bathroom countertop is made of that fake marble, and there is a chip right on top of the counter. I have no idea what made the chip, but I would like to try to cover it. Can you tell me how?

A: Do you still have the chip that came off? If so, you can try gluing it back into place with an epoxy adhesive. If you don't have it, try filling the area with a two-part casting resin. This compound is available at many hobby and craft stores. It is clear, though, so you might try mixing some marble dust into it to try to match the existing surface. Keep in mind that it will be hard to match.

AL AND KELLY’S TIPS

Waterless hand cleaner works fast to remove grease and grime from hands. It also works on clothes. Just rub some of the cleaner into the grease spots on your clothes and then wash them normally. If you keep this stuff on your workbench, you can take care of the goof immediately. We often are asked how to paint barbecue grills or wood-burning stoves. It's very important that you use a paint made to stand up to the extra-hot temperatures in these areas. Rust-Oleum makes one of these paints in a spray can. It doesn't get much easier than that. You know it will look good for a long time, too, when you use a trusted brand.

This paint also comes in several colors besides black and can take temperatures up to 1,000 F. Look for it at paint, hardware and discount stores as well as most home centers. You can find out more information on Rust-Oleum products by calling 1-800-323-3584 or visiting www.rust-oleum.com

READERS’ TIPS I bought a plastic tarp to put over my patio furniture. The grommet holes were too large for the knotted rope I planned to use. I tried a bigger knot, but then I was short on rope. I finally fixed the problem by installing large washers between the knots and the grommets. The washers kept the knotted rope from pulling back through the holes in the tarp. I keep these covers on most of the winter. I didn't have a problem with them last winter, and I plan to use them again next winter. They are much less expensive than the custom-made covers, and now they work just as well.

My kitchen chairs are really nice but quite old and fragile. One rung started to loosen, and within about six months all of the others were loose. I decided to take the whole chair apart and try to glue it back together. I wrapped thin wire around and around the loose rungs and then glued them together. The wire took up some of the extra room in the joint and let the glue take hold better. This worked, and it's been more than a year now without any further problems. I just finished painting a large mural in my son's room. I used small, quart-size cans of paint. These don't have handles, so I just set the one I was using in a gallon-size can that does have a handle on it so I could hold it while I worked.

When you are finished with one color, you can replace the lid and take it out of the large can. Then put another small can into the big can. It's also good because if paint drips down the side of the can, it falls into the large gallon-size can and not on your floor.

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