Recently I bought this lamp, advertised as a Vapalux 300X, in the Netherlands. Initially I thought it to be a mongrel, as the tank obviously is the Bialaddin type. But the original Bialaddin green logo on the glass persuaded me to buy it, if only for the parts, the rather rare Vapalux top with 'coolie'- style hat included. It appeared the seller had stripped the collar and tank of what he described as 'dark brownish crud' in order to make it more sellable. He also stated he bought the lamp together with a rare Primus 1050 and another lamp that "all appeared taken care off" from a lady who claimed to be the granddaughter of the former owners. All this places these lamps with people who did not tinker with these lamps - why should they - but used them for what they were, and are: lamps that provide light where and when you need it. So it does not strike me likely this family, including their offspring, had been interchanging tanks, or swapped hoods. W&B lamps have never been numerous in Holland, and if taken care off, the need to replace parts is practicly nill. So the need for parts was likely not there, nor the availability of those extra parts very great. The vulnerable glass obviously was replaced at some time. That, together with the sadly removed original paint, even from the bottom, might indicate yet another lamp that David is suggesting to be a possible factory hybrid or blend around 1946/47. See this other thread: Tophat differences, Vapalux 300 Like the absence of stamped data in the collar, the pressure tit on this Bialaddin model tank is a remarkable detail these lamps seem to have in common as well. Seller now regrets his (considerable) efforts to bling this lamp as much as I do. I have yet to decide what to do with it. I could sell it on as is. Or try to find the right shade of maroon and 'weather and wear it' after spraying. The pink brass parts can be interchanged, to be painted as for later Bialaddin models, or aged and weathered by immersion in ammonia like the preheating disc. Not for the first time I have bought a dillemma instead of a simple and straightforward collection of parts. This now is starting to look like a typical W&B treat, lol! Mike
Rustoleum produce a spray can colour called Claret wine I think that I've used on some early Vapalux lamps that needed re-spraying. The only point to remember is that the paint isn't fuel resistant so it needs a coat of lacquer to protect it,but the colour is pretty close.
Thank you Colin, but I am heading another way. Last year I bought some spraying gear to be fed by an air compressor. This is a new venture for me, but if the object is not too big I now know I can get acceptable results. As always, most time and effort goes into preparing, with finding/blending the right colour much a part of that. Then making it look old and used is yet another chalenge. Had I lived in Britain I would simply look around and be patient for the right item to show up. But I like creative challenges once in a while, and this is just an extension to this hobby.
Surely relying on lacquer to protect the finish has a fundamental flaw. In future, the restored lamp finally begins to develop a patina but as soon as that happens the then owner will need to know it will need re-lacquering immediately or the paint will deteriorate where the lacquer has worn away. Only they won’t know that..... of course, probably newly restored lamps will rarely have the chance regenerate a patina but it still seems somehow not the right way to go; regretting a lost patina by putting a finish on that can’t be allowed to develop a patina!
I have to say the fuel staining of the paint was a pain and only seemed to affect the claret vine colour. Baking the paint in my oven made the situation much better but I've got my own oven... not the one in the kitchen!
We like to preserve the patina of our lamps. We like them to show that they have been used and that chips and scuffs are badges of honour. If we have to repaint one due to excessive finish damage then surely we’d want it to be able to cope with being used like it always has been but if the lacquer gets damaged and the result is that the remaining paint gets further damaged by fuel spills then you’ll probably end up with a mess rather than patina. To put it another way, if Vapalux had originally used non fuel resistant paint under lacquer what would they look like now? I have this problem to solve; I think I will be going down the route of getting a car spray colour match. I assume those are fuel resistant!
What I see is a very attractive and functional lamp! why should we look at it as a problem. I take them as they come, some authentic and original (you pay your right arm for these) Those I often refer to as 'users' that are a bit tatty and worn (patina if you want) and the shiny, shiny ones that someone stripped and polished. All beautiful in their own way and all have a place. I personally don't aim to return these to their original state because it can't be done, well not in the true sense, any restoration is just an attempt at copying a look but it cannot replicate the ageing process. So faced with such a lamp, why bother.
I mostly agree Paparazzi; I have decided to sell it on. This is also in line with a recent decision to reduce my collection even more, with only four W&B models projected left in it.
I only ever seem to find the real basket cases, smashed and bent, burned to a crisp, dents, cuts and scrapes, smashed glass, and painted some garish colour by a 4 year old with a 6 inch emulsion brush with some kind of stuff that only comes off with a grinding disk. My lamps have to be unbent, banged out and bits replaced not repaired. Where do you guys get these wonderful examples of used originality... mine all come off the rubbish pile. Patina? originality, factory paint... Ha! I should be so lucky!
Your description is sort of familiar and makes me chuckle. The question often is: why? But how about walking away from them? Unless you are a compulsive salvation army sort of lampie, that is. For me, the finding is /was in the looking, and looking a lot, and far away. I bought a similar lamp as in your avatar in Germany. What also is a factor is the money you want to spend. Original condition lamps command increasing higher prices today and one has to buy without dithering too much. Or have some good luck, I reckon always a factor in any purchase I made.
