Exterior Light Restoration

[Leslie Berckes]

I know there have been a lot of rehab questions lately - hope you're up for another :)

We have an exterior light that might (?) be original to our Beaverdale brick. At the very least it's old and I like it. However, at some point it was painted and now the paint is chipping off. Is there somewhere in town that I could take it to have it stripped and restored? Is plating something that people would do with an exterior light?

Thanks!

[marlon]

Leslie, see if a magnet sticks to it. If not it is probably brass and you can strip it yourself then after polishing spray with laquer or marine spar. If it is iron, I might consider another coat of paint.

Marlon

 

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From: Leslie Berckes <leslie....@gmail.com>
To: renov...@googlegroups.com
Sent: Friday, June 1, 2012 10:48 AM
Subject: {RenovateDSM} Exterior Light Restoration

I know there have been a lot of rehab questions lately - hope you're up for another :)

We have an exterior light that might (?) be original to our Beaverdale brick. At the very least it's old and I like it. However, at some point it was painted and now the paint is chipping off. Is there somewhere in town that I could take it to have it stripped and restored? Is plating something that people would do with an exterior light?

Thanks!

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[Jason Grinstead]

For blasting, I have used Absolute Media Blasting (Google it).  Only open in the summer, but does sand, glass and soda blasting (much less abrasive for softer metal).  He did a nice job on some old steel lawn chairs.

 

For plating, it may depend on how much you love it.

 

I had Chrome Reflections (on 14th in DSM) brass plate some old door hardware, but it was $180 for a lock set.  Turned out beautiful.

 

For automotive plating I use Sioux Plating out of Sioux City (they pick up and deliver, depending on the project). I know the do Chrome and brass plating for just about anything. They are MUCH more reasonable.  The price for Plating in general is increasing with environmental requirements.

 

Again, depending on how much you love it, you may consider Rejuvenation as a source for a new one...which may be more cost effective. 

 

Blasting and painting may produce some really nice results.

From: Leslie Berckes <leslie....@gmail.com>
To: renov...@googlegroups.com
Sent: Friday, June 1, 2012 10:48 AM
Subject: {RenovateDSM} Exterior Light Restoration

[Porter, Jack [DCA]]

If you are going to have the fixture re-finished and re-wired, you could consider just soaking in a hot water with mild soap solution. A friend of mine bought a cheap crock-pot and just set the temperature on low. He lets the brass fixture just soak and the paint usually just peels off. We do not recommend using stripper, drain cleaner or even bowl cleaning solution as these chemicals can “burn” brass or bronze. I know from experience because I have ruined a couple over the years.

 

With the heat outside, you might just consider putting the fixture in a plastic pale and setting it in the sun. won’t hurt.

 

I am interested in what others suggest.

 

Jack C. Porter

Preservation Consultant

State Historical Society of Iowa

600 East Locust

Des Moines, IA 50319

(515) 242-6152

 

When we build, let us think that we build forever.
Let it not be for present delight nor for present use alone.
Let it be such work as our descendants will thank us for;
and let us think, as we lay stone on stone,
that a time is to come when those stones will be held
sacred because our hands have touched them,
and that men will say, as they look upon
the labor and wrought substance of them,
“See! This our father did for us.”

    —John Ruskin

 

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From: renov...@googlegroups.com [mailto:renov...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Leslie Berckes
Sent: Friday, June 01, 2012 10:48 AM
To: renov...@googlegroups.com
Subject: {RenovateDSM} Exterior Light Restoration

 

I know there have been a lot of rehab questions lately - hope you're up for another :)

We have an exterior light that might (?) be original to our Beaverdale brick. At the very least it's old and I like it. However, at some point it was painted and now the paint is chipping off. Is there somewhere in town that I could take it to have it stripped and restored? Is plating something that people would do with an exterior light?

Thanks!

--

[Todd Hotchkiss]

Dave Meshek can do what you need.

628 7th st, WDM

515-277-9009

515-681-4627 cell

Todd Hotchkiss, AIA

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[Bret Andorf]

If you really want to have it re-plated, Chrome Reflections on E. 14th may be willing to do it for you.  As you are likely aware, it will cost several times what a new fixture would from the big box home improvement stores.