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Restoring Yellowed Enamel (+ Chandelier Identification)  

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NULL NULL
(@topiarymailboxgmail-com)
Active Member
Joined: 6 years ago
Posts: 10
01/05/2014 6:01 pm  

Hello,

I recently purchased an Eastern European sputnik like this one.

It now occurs to me that maybe someone here knows who made it. That would very cool to know.

But the main reason I'm writing is that the ceiling plate (white enamel like the center ball) is quiet yellowed. I've tried cleaning it with a soap and water and a magic eraser (best sponge ever)- nothing happened. I see that there's a little drizzle extending from the top of clean white - so I know it's in there somewhere. I jumped all the way to trying to wipe a bit of it with turpentine. Nothing happened.

I'm thinking now that the varnish component of the enamel has yellowed. I'm considering getting trying some varnish remover like what's used on old paintings. If I try a tiny corner and it messes up the paint I can always fill that bit back in, so I guess I have only frustration and a tiny bit of in painting to loose.

But maybe someone here knows a better way?

Thanks,
Bruce


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Spanky
(@spanky)
Illustrious Member
Joined: 6 years ago
Posts: 4376
01/05/2014 6:52 pm  

I wonder if the
ceiling canopy is original to the fixture? If it was, I would think it would have aged the same way as the center globe part of the fixture. Maybe someone replaced it with something bigger to cover ceilings marks left by the previous fixture...??
Anyway, it sounds like it's not your run-of-the-mill nicotine yellowing if the products mentioned didn't remove it. Also, the rest of the fixture would be yellowed, too. It might have a lacquer finish that has yellowed, in which case lacquer remover would get rid of it, but it might also take the paint off.
Maybe the same style is still sold? The technical term is canopy if you want to google it.


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sirlampsalot
(@sirlampsalot)
Reputable Member
Joined: 15 years ago
Posts: 118
01/05/2014 8:40 pm  

ceiling canopy
I have noticed several fixtures over the years that have discolored ceiling canopy's compared to the body of the fixture. I think this could come about from a few reasons.
1. The fixture releases heat that floats up generally and that concentration of heat could make the ceiling canopy and finishes on it react differently from the body of the fixture.
2. Depending on where the fixture originally resided, there could have been a roof leak and water could have discolored it over time.
3. Many people when cleaning a fixture neglect to clean the canopy for whatever reason.
Just my thoughts on why it could be original but be aged differently than the fixture.


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NULL NULL
(@topiarymailboxgmail-com)
Active Member
Joined: 6 years ago
Posts: 10
01/05/2014 11:49 pm  

it is original
The canopy is original. I figured light was hitting more directly.


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NULL NULL
(@topiarymailboxgmail-com)
Active Member
Joined: 6 years ago
Posts: 10
02/05/2014 5:37 pm  

Didn't Work - RetroBrite Experience? - Auto Body?
I tried the varnish remover and it did nothing.
Here's the photo of the actual canopy. It shows that drip I referred to that shows the original white. No idea how the drip got there.
I'm thinking my next move will be to try RetroBrite ( http://retr0bright.wikispaces.com). I've been meaning to mix a batch for some yellowed ABS, but have been putting it off because it was too cold to work outside. This will be my first run with RetroBrite. Anyone else used it?
Any less caustic and/or less experimental ideas on how I might whiten the canopy?
I also have a long standing, untested theory that if I take something like this totally apart I could bring the pieces I want repainted to an auto body place and have them repainted. Anyone tired that?


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Spanky
(@spanky)
Illustrious Member
Joined: 6 years ago
Posts: 4376
02/05/2014 7:11 pm  

Try some
nail polish remover on a Qtip next to the drip just to see what happens.


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NULL NULL
(@topiarymailboxgmail-com)
Active Member
Joined: 6 years ago
Posts: 10
04/05/2014 6:37 pm  

RetroBrite worked
In case anyone wants to know-- the retrobrite worked when nothing else did. It whites yellowed enamel paint.


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