I'm getting close to completing my first complete fettle of a lamp. I think the most harrowing part was trying to figure out what colours to use. I chose white and copper with the brass to compliment as I felt it would look good as an indoor display.
That will become a very elegant lamp - with a very modern touch along with the charm of that special old design.
Matty, It's looking good. Could you photograph the assembled burner from the side (before putting it in the hood - I'm assuming its not got a Tilley patent number on the burner chamber)? Cheers Tony
Hi Tony, After your query about the burner I checked my photos and I'd picked up the incorrect burner. This is the burner that came with the lamp.
Matty. See you painted the brown hood white. Its good if you don't light it as the paint will just peel off as it gets to hot even high temp paint doesn't work . Bob .
Thanks Bob. I do have a spare enamel hood that I could use if I wanted to light it. The hood I re-painted was only painted not enamelled. I wonder what process was used Tilley/Kopson/Nettlefold for the paint to last so well over the years?
Were all Tilley hoods enamelled? If they weren't this is a Tilley hood. If they were it must be that someone has removed the enamel on this hood in years gone by as it was simply painted.
All coloured Tilley hood or part tops are enamelled same as Kayen not painted as paint can't stand the heat . Bob .
Thanks for clearing that up for me Bob. Obviously, someone has removed the enamel from this hood and painted it. They'd done a good job.
I've finished the lamp. I realised after loading these photos I'd forgotten to put the insect screens on for the photos.
What a stunning transformation Matty She looks like a beautiful maiden in a gauzy summerdress Wellfettled. Claus C
Hi Claus, You are too kind. I like it too Clause. I can see many collectors not liking it. I suppose we each have our own individual tastes when it comes to rejuvenating - or not - lamps. My sister-in-law likes it and has insisted again and again I sell it to her. Since I have 4 more, she can have it. At least that get's her off my back, if not my wife.
If you have a aircompressor, a sandgun and very fine sand for sandblasting (back here we call that sand for flying sand) then it is possible for you, gently to peel of the former enamel down to bare metal, but be carefull. Then ship it of to a company that enamels ex. housenumbers. Such places are often willing to help and enamel your hood for cheap money and then it will stand the heat. For the company the sandblasting is the difficult/expensive part. Collectors often like originality, but with enough lamps of the same type, you can allow yourself doing what you did, making this very stylish lamp. Claus C
Claus, I made my daughter laugh (so she said) whilst working on the hood. She apparently overheard me mumble to myself "%$#@ this enamel has been on for #$@%#$@ 70 years and I can't get it %$#@$%& off." Don't fret too much, she is 40 next month. I have a compressor and have a gravity fed sandblaster. The enamel just laughed at me. I will admit, my sandblaster isn't commercial grade.
Well it takes time. You need 8 bar pressure and hold the nozzle of the gun close to the enamel on the same spot for some seconds and then the sand will dig down in the enamel. It takes time and is not to compare with removing rust Claus C
