Restoration Of Glass Lamp Shades

Owners of glass lamp shades are often reluctant to throw out their prized shades if they become damaged

. Unlike fabric or plastic shades, the glass type is usually revered for aesthetics, a result of the long history of glass artwork and its use in shading since pre-Victorian times. Witness the Tiffany stained shades and the Handel shades, both holding high places in the art and decor world. The owner is more likely to spend some effort repairing or restoring the shade.

The delicate nature of glass lamp shades means that they are often damaged either through long-term wear or sudden trauma. Both can be difficult to repair depending on the nature of the damage. What kind of damage does one see? The panes of glass can be broken, either completely or confined to a single pane. The connecting holder of the shade may be bent. The metal frame that holds the glass panes may be distorted by force or pressure. There can also be light damage such as chipped or cracked glass, which is still unsightly and often the target of repair.

The small panes that comprise a shade must be replaced and is accomplished via either one of two ways. Replacement is easiest if the same shade is mass-produced and remains in production, or if an identical unit can be found. The glass restorer will simply insert the new one into the slot of the old one. Some polishing and abrading may be necessary to ensure a snug fit. If a replacement is impossible, then a glass maker will need to create anew the missing piece. Other trim such as that found on beaded lamp shades must be applied.

Smaller missing panes are easier to repair than larger ones. Complicating the effort is the fact that many glass shade panes are curved, which requires the use of special molds during the glass making process. Furthermore, some panes are curved in more than one way. For example the top of the pane is curved inward while the bottom is curved outward. These are called compound curves that demand even more expertise.

In addition to the glass, the metal frame which houses all the lites and panes can be bent out of shape or broken altogether. Replacement of the metal is non-trivial given that the dimensions are usually very exacting to accommodate the thin panes. Sometimes the frame must be soldered for repair.

There can also be glass lamp shades that are impossible to repair. For example, a single-piece lamp shade that shatters into many medium-sized pieces is not repairable short of remaking it. If the breakage is isolated to some part of the shade, it may be possible to salvage the shade by making an alteration that renders the breakage moot. For example, by cutting off the entire top half of a lamp to remove a breakage near the top.

by: Gary Capablanca.

POST COMMENT

Import Wmv To Final Cut Express - Convert Wmv To Fce .dv And Edit Wmv File With Fce The Right Time For Animal Prints In The Bedroom Beneficial Natural Cures For Asthma Attacks 5 Reasons To Use Spray On Tan Forklift Attachments - Allows Secure Transferring Of Goods Steel Backsplash Installation Guide What Is An Mba? The Mindset Of The Venezuelan Leftist Movement In South America Cenxi Appliance Industry Park Industrial Cluster Getting Better Outpatient Detoxification And The Guidelines To Follow Wildblue Satellite Connectivity To Reckon With Useful Information For King Bed San Francisco The Importance Of Using The Right Windshield Wiper Fluid