Hi all, I'm new to this forum and am interested on peoples thoughts on cleaning/polishing/restoration. I have obtained what I believe is a Tilley X246 and it's been in a shed for quite some time so the frame is quite rusted and there is a good layer of dust and grime. What would be the best recommendation: to clean it up as best I can or to leave it as is and keep the grime as character? Thanks, Chris
How far to go is up to the individual. For example, if it once belonged to a family member, you may want to keep it as original as possible, though it will no doubt benefit from a set of new seals (available from the Fettlebox - see top left of this page for the link - you'll need the "old" set). O.K., so there's a little rust on the frame but your lamp looks to be in reasonably good order for it's age. Give it a wash in warm soapy water and see how it looks in YOUR eyes. The worst part of the frame is mostly hidden by the top, so use an old pan scrub to gently remove the rust. If that doesn't do the trick, you can always resort to wire wool. Henry.
Give it a good clean and see what's it like then. It may not look good considering the frame condition but you will only know if you're happy with it once cleaned. I have two NOS Hipolito's. A 500 and 250 cp, both in brass and both staying in their patina.
G'day Chris, You have a nice lantern there and the Guardsman is quite easy to work on. This is not a rare lantern so as already said it really is up to you how much you restore it. It definitely needs a good clean and the rust removed from the frame. the paintwork on the font looks in reasonable condition in the photos so polishing may be enough. After the rust is removed from the frame polish may be all that is needed but there is nothing wrong with giving it a coat of paint. The hood is enamel so all you can do there is clean and treat any rust. Or you can repaint the font and frame.
Yeah, as Robbo says it's mostly down to rarity. Although not rare, the X246 is a nice lantern to have and a decent age now so I'd probably clean it up gently then leave it as it is. If it had been a bit scruffier, I'd have restored it i.e. returned it to as near to original condition as I could get with a respray in the correct colour - Plastikote Brass (No.39?) from B&Q or elsewhere. Personally, I hate lanterns which are stripped and polished to a high shine - they're no more than house ornaments when they're like that. Just my opinion. On the other hand, you could repaint an X246B in candy-apple green with pink and orange stripes for all I (or, probably, most other collectors) care...
Thanks everyone! I think I'll carefully give it a bit of spit and polish and see how it ends up Annoyingly my other half has already put it up on ebay but we'll see if it sells and if not then I'll definitely clean it up... And may even repaint it in candy-apple green with pink and orange stripes just for you David haha. Thank you again.
Oooh so the B stands for 'bling', I get it now I think if it doesn't sell I'll just give it a bit of a clean and tidy up and then get it working and have it as a talking piece
You have an X246 - a very good, well made lamp that has and will give many years of service. The X246 was replaced by the X246A is similarly very good, well made lamp with slight design changes from the X246. The X246B is the lamp that brought Tilley through the ‘70s and is still being produced, a good lamp, with lower cost parts, a thinner brass tank and a lesser lamp than its older brothers. With a clean, a little work, a new set of seal and somewhere dry to live, this lamp will outlast you and should still work when your children inherit it Enjoy
