An antique-style light fixture can be salvaged and updated.
Light fixtures are a good choice for salvaging and recycling. Most light fixtures reflect a period or style, and over time, most periods and styles return to fashion with some kind of new twist. A common change for light fixtures is to alter the color. This can often be done with a quick clean up and a few cans of spray paint. In this way, a vintage light fixture becomes modern. A salvaged fixture can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars over purchasing a new fixture.
Instructions
1. Visit flea markets, antique shops, garage sales and estate sales looking for vintage or discarded light fixtures. Often fixtures can be found with missing shades, broken or missing pieces or in perfect condition with wires hanging. Pick fixtures with good or unusual lines, in good shape, with modern wiring when possible.
2. Clean the fixture with soap and water and a bristle brush. Sand away rust or peeling paint and smooth out rough spots.
3. Tape off the areas on the fixture that you don't want to paint. Bend a metal coat hanger into an "S" shape and hang the fixture outdoors from a tree branch or other open spot.
4. Spray paint the fixture the color that you want. Apply several thin coats and avoid drips (you have to sand off drips). Allow the paint to dry 15 minutes between coats and overnight for your last coat.
5. Locate missing pieces for the fixture. Rewire old wiring and add new shades, globes, crystals or other decorations to modernize the fixture.
Tags: light fixture, light fixtures, missing pieces, that want