How to Restore a Pendant Lamp
Pendant lamps not only act as hanging light sources in a room, but also add a lot of style, especially large paper or plastic orb-type pendant lamps that really make a style statement. If you've inherited an old or non-functional pendant lamp, or have had a lamp so long that it needs work, you can restore it to its former glory yourself. Pendant lamps come in many shapes, sizes and styles, and manufacturers construct them from a variety of materials, so determining the best course for repair of your pendant lamp depends on your particular lamp. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Phillips head screwdriver
- Superfine steel wool
- Metal spray paint
- Rice paper or fabric
- Scissors
- Double-sided clear tape
- Lamp cord
- Wire stripper
Instructions
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Switch off the breaker that controls the electricity to your pendant light. Remove the pendant lamp from the ceiling by unscrewing the cap fitting below the lamp's collar, which will release the collar from the ceiling. Remove wire nuts, unscrew any visible screws and pull down the lamp from the ceiling. Remove the bulb and set the lamp on your work surface.
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Pull off the collar, fittings and other parts. If the collar and other pieces are rusted and worn, you can lightly buff off the grime with very fine steel wool, or aluminum foil if the pieces are chrome. If you are forced to take away too much of the finish during this process, use a metal spray paint to paint all the pieces.
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Repair a fabric or paper pendant shade as necessary. Cut out a section of matching rice paper or fabric that is about 1/2 inch wider on all sides than the area you are repairing. Use thin strips of double-sided clear tape to attach your strips or section over the area. Attach the material from the inside of the lamp for the best-looking results. Take a cracked glass or plastic shade to a professional for repair.
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Examine the cord for worn areas. If the cord looks excessively worn, you can replace it with a new lamp cord. As you remove the cord from the socket and other fittings, note the areas where it was attached so you can recreate the connections with the new cord.
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Strip your lamp cord to the same length as the old cord. Pull your pendant shade onto the cord. Strip away the last inch from each side of your lamp cord, and attach the ends where necessary, exactly as you found the old cord attached.
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Reassemble your restored lamp, which is ready to hang.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
