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Duplicate the finish of a metal lamp base and metal shade frame

November 21, 2010

Hello,
I use, enjoy and work on Antique Table Lamps. I have seen many lamps with flaking paint on metal and other metal finish issues. The metals on lamp bases and shade frames are usually cast iron, pot metals, brass tubing and such.

I would like to duplicate a finish that I have recently seen on other antique lamps that have been for sale.

I have included a photo

The finish looks to be completely restored. I would like to know the process and products necessary to complete a project similar to this.

Thank you,
Rich

Rich F [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]
Hobbyist, Restorer - Rochester, New York, USA

Ed. note: Sorry, this RFQ is old & outdated, so contact info is no longer available. However, if you feel that something technical should be said in reply, please post it; no public commercial suggestions please ( huh? why?)

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Hi, Rich. The picture is very helpful towards showing us what you want, but it doesn't really tell us how the item in question was finished. An eBay listing says the lamp is made of spelter (zinc) though.

I'm quite confident that the shade is brass plated, followed by a straightforward darkening process with liver of sulfur [on eBay or Amazon] or something similar, and relieving.

The base, I'm not so sure. The way the brass and black tones are striated together at the bottom of the base looks a little suspicious to me, like it could be a stain or wax rub (Rub'N'Buff [affil links]), or even maybe that the "brass" could be paint. But I'm not a lamp expert. I hope someone more familiar with such matters will comment.

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
November 22, 2010