Hi Guys I'm quite new to all this so still trying to learn at my late age anyway I have a question for you below is a pic of the top off a Bialladin 305 I recently acquired but as you can see it has some damage, is there any way to fix this? or do I have to leave it as it is? Cheers
Hi, As tops go for those lamps, that one is in very good condition considering, i'm afraid there is nothing you can do to repair it and using the lamp will only make it worse....Paul
I am not aware of anyone in the UK who does it, but there is a company in the US called Independence Porcelain Enamel that re-enamels lamp vents. Here is a recent price list (Coleman only, but I imagine prices for UK lamps would be similar): You would also have to factor in the cost of international shipping. Doing a number of vents at the same time would obviously be more cost-effective. It is probably not worth getting the hood for a fairly common lamp like the Bialaddin 305 re-done. I have seen undamaged green Bialaddin hoods sell for around £25 on Ebay.
Thank you for the info James I'll keep an eye open on the bay and see what comes up as you say it is a common lamp but this is all new to me I'm learning as I go along
It's up to you how you want them to look. Personally I think the flaws are what make the lantern. I have yet to do a full restore on any of my lanterns.
Those prices seem a tad high to me. I have always sent any I wanted doing to Fred Kuntz and I am sure they never cost that much even when you factor in postage to the UK. I would be wary of having a Tilley or Bialaddin done though. One of the factors that determines how well enamel stays on uder heat is the quality of the steel and I suspect the reason American lamps have better preserved enamel is the steel and not all about quality of coating. If that is so then you are on a loser right away with English lamp tops. ::Neil::
I think the enamel loss on that hood is due to three distinct causes. The largest blemish looks like impact damage, as does the small loss on the edge. The three small areas on the dome are probably down to poorer quality steel as Neil says, or possibly insufficient cleaning just prior to enamelling. The result is the enamel cracks and lifts slightly allowing water underneath. This results in rusting and further enamel loss - it 'pings' off in small pieces generally when the lamp is first lit and the top is getting to working temperature. The two areas on the flat are typical of Bialaddin and caused by the differential expansion of the welded joints between the two parts of the hood. With continued use, you'll get get a series of blemishes which will eventually join up. In this respect, old Ben Franklin had it wrong; there are actually three certainties in life - death, taxes and a ring of enamel loss on your Bialaddin hood. But whatever the cause, once it starts there's nothing you can do to stop it. Pristine hoods I keep for my display lamps and lanterns, the rest go on my 'users'.
