Cleaning old light fixtures is the best way to restore them.
Whether you have had an old light fixture for decades or recently found one at an antique sale or flea market, cleaning is the best way to restore the light fixture to have it looking its best. Old light fixtures tend to develop a patina on the exterior surface over time. This layer of patina gives the piece character and an antique look, which you may not want to remove.
Instructions
1. Wear safety gloves on each hand. Turn the old light fixture's power supply completely off before proceeding further. Remove all light bulbs screwed into the light fixture. Set the bulbs aside on a thick towel. Unscrew the light fixture from the ceiling or wall with a screwdriver. Unhook all electrical wiring, taking note of where the wires are connected. Remove all glass pieces of the light fixture such as globes, lenses or shades. Draw a diagram on a piece of paper of the light fixture so you will know for future reference where the glass pieces sat.
2. Fill a sink or large plastic pan with warm water, and mix in a few drops of gentle dish soap. Gently place the glass pieces into the sink or pan to soak.
3. Rub silver polish cleaner onto sterling silver surfaces if you do not want to paint over this finish. Work the polish into the silver surface according to the silver polish directions. Wipe off the silver polish with a lint-free cloth, and skip to Step 6.
4. Use a lint-free cloth to wipe all the built-up dust and dirt away from the old light fixture's hardware. Rough up the metal surfaces of the fixture with fine-grit sandpaper. This will allow the spray finish to adhere to the surface.
5. Lay several layers of newspaper on the floor of the garage or outdoor work area. Place the old light fixture down on the newspaper. Wear gloves, a respirator, and safety goggles to avoid eye injury. Spray the light fixture with the spray finish according to the package directions. Refer to manufacturer's instructions on how much time to allow between spray finish coats. Finish the light fixture with a coat of spray protective sealer. Allow all finishes adequate drying time.
6. Wipe the soaking glass pieces with a cloth rag, and rinse with warm water. Dry the glass pieces with a lint-free cloth. Refer to your drawn diagram to replace the glass pieces in the correct locations.
7. Hook the electrical wiring back into the original places. Use a screwdriver to screw the light fixture back into its original location. Screw the light bulbs back into place before you turn on the electricity.
Tags: light fixture, glass pieces, back into, fixture with, lint-free cloth, silver polish