Porcelain Lamp Repair
Porcelain lamps, classical or modern, can include a stylish presence to a room. Like all lamps, porcelain specimens require repair from time to time. Most lamp repairs are contained in the skill set of their ordinary do-it-yourselfer. If you have a porcelain lamp that’s loose and requires is grungy and is lightly damaged, a day’s work will bring it along with the room it occupies back to life.
Tightening Things Up
If the lamp assembly is loose, unplug it and twist the lamp above to twist the nut with the adjustable wrench. Use enough power to make the assembly firm, but not so much that you break the porcelain body. Remove the socket protect from its foundation — actually, it’s the”cap” — by pressing where it says”PRESS.” Use a screwdriver to tighten the screw terminals against the cable ends, if they’re loose. Replace the cover, making sure it snaps to the cap.
Rewiring The Lamp
Remove the socket cover and unscrew the terminals to spare the socket, then pull out the cable from the bottom. Thread a fresh 18-gauge lamp cable through the lamp tube, temporarily removing the cap when the cable gets stuck. Pull the two twisted endings of the lamp cable several inches apart, then tie them in one slip knot. Use your thumbnail to find the ribs which run along the length of the neutral cable. Wind the cable clockwise around the new socket’s silver impartial terminal and screw it in place. Connect the smooth warm cable to the gold hot terminal.
Spit and Polish
Use window cleaner, a soft fabric and a toothbrush to clean porcelain lamp parts. Use bleach glue, such as Soft Scrub, to get rid of stubborn stains from ceramic. Vacuum dusty lamp shades. Spray a dirty color with lukewarm water in the kitchen sink, wash with a delicate wash liquid and a soft brush. Do not let it all boil. Rinse thoroughly, let it drain, then tamp it with a clean, white towel to remove excess water. Once it stops dripping, put the color back on the lamp to let the light bulb dry out it.
Back Together Again
Mask light damage, such as a stained chip or a tight crack, by covering it with bleach glue. Cover with plastic wrap and let it sit a few hours. Remove the glue when the blot lightens. If you possess the chip, glue back it with super adhesive. Test fit the chip before you include adhesive. Use a toothpick or popsicle stick to press on the chip in place. Leave extensive restoration to professional restorers. Even after expert repair, many vessels will not be solid enough for the rigors of lamp assembly and use. To find a porcelain restorer, speak with a neighborhood superior antiques dealer or museum curator.