Donnerstag, 23. Februar 2012

Cleaning & Restoring Glass Lamp Shades

So you have found a wonderful, beautiful, but grimy glass shade. Before you begin cleaning place a nice fluffy terry cloth towel in the bottom of your sink---just in case. And, as this may not be as easy as you thought, some big rubber gloves.

**[Please be aware that these tips can only used on clear or all white glass. If you have glass with a hand-painted or decal decoration don't even try these except for, maybe, Step One.]

Step One: Begin the process by cleaning the surfaces by hand with warm water, sponge and dishing washing liquid soap. (No, not dishwasher soap.) Set it aside and let it drip dry.

If the glass did not come out whistle clean, check out the list below.

* Old price tags marks (Goo Gone, WD40, Rubber Cement Thinner, etc.).
* Paint spots (Goof Off, paint thinner, or a brand new razor blade.)
* Yellowish caste to entire shade (From years of cigarette smoke.) Soak in a diluted solution of ammonia and water, overnight.
Alternate method:
* Or, if you are in a rush, apply the ammonia full strength from a spray bottle---you'll need good ventilation for this---directly on to glass and watch the solidified smoke slowly ooze off.
* Small marks from permanent markers (This is a trial-and-error process): Look under the kitchen sink, in the bathroom, your spouse's workshop for a variety of solvents to try.
* If all else fails, use old-style gritty powdered cleanser and a sponge. Make a paste on a corner of the sponge. Start gently to gauge how hard to rub.
* If you are not ready for the cleanser, rub toothpaste with a Q-Tip with no water, except to rinse.

Note: Any glass with a matte, sand blasted or acid etched surface can be cleaned vigorously with the cleanser method.

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