HOME DESIGN : A SPECIAL ISSUE OF ORANGE COUNTY LIFE : New Products to Aid Homeowners

What’s new on the market?

A wood glue designed especially for darker woods.

Manufacturer’s claim: The super-strength polymer glue is formulated to produce a close match to darker wood, such as mahogany, cherry and cedar. It helps to eliminate visible seams some yellow wood glues leave behind. It allows for easy alignment of parts, good penetration of woods and easy cleanup, yet bonds quickly. It is resistant to lacquers, varnishes, water and heat when dry. It also resists softening and gumming-up of sandpaper as well as the heat generated by sanding and cutting. It is water-based, non-sniffable and without harmful fumes.

A solution that plates and replates pure gold over ordinary metals at home.

Manufacturer’s claim: The solution is a bath that contains 24-karat gold in liquid form and works with the natural electromotive forces within the metals themselves. It will plate all jewelry and small items--whether gold, gold plate, silver, silver plate, nickel, brass, copper or bronze--quickly and inexpensively. It adheres evenly to the surface of clean base metals without forming ridges or lines. Items are placed in a basket with the activator for only 10 to 15 seconds and then washed in soapy water and buffed with a soft cloth.

A hand masker-dispenser.

Manufacturer’s claim: The dispenser enables professional or amateur painters to dispense a continuous sheet of masking paper or film in one smooth stroke. It is lightweight and compact. It places the protecting paper in place on walls, windows and floors so they are not damaged by paint runs, roller mist or overspray. It has only two moving parts and does not need lubrication. It comes with a carrying holster for convenience.

The glue is manufactured by Borden Inc., 180 E. Broad St., Columbus, Ohio 43215; the gold replating solution by Sheffield Plate Polish Co., 1600 Orrington Ave., Evanston, Ill. 60201 and the masking tape dispenser by 3M DOY Business, Building 223-4S-01, 3M Center, St. Paul, Minn. 55144.