Painted Oil Lamp

I thought I was purchasing a single ceramic oil lamp. To my surprise two identical glass oil lamps arrived and in desperate need of TLC! The oil lamp burners were horribly rusted and peeling off the brass coating paint color. The oil lamp bases smelled of kerosene and one of the chimneys was missing. So I immediately began cleaning the lamps of the nasty old kerosene smell. Needless to say soapy water began removing the paint from the inside of the oil lamp! It would seem that the paint was not cured to the glass.

I seriously don’t know how these oil lamps were ever used to hold any type of liquid with this cruddy paint? To my surprise These are inexpensive light farm oil lamps and I thought I was purchasing a ceramic solid color oil lamp.

Lightfarm oil lamps originated in 1968 therefore the lamps are considered modern when compared to my other 3 oil lamps.

CAUTION any oil lamp with paint inside of it is going to be porous and retain the odor of whatever fuel type is used inside of it!

Next I set out to color match and repair the oil lamp paint damage! Using deco art and Folk Art Enamel acrylic paints. Teal, yellow, and black.

I was able to get a very close match to the original color. The great thing about the acrylic paint is that if it all fails I can soak it and wash it out! I am not opposed to having clear glass oil lamps.

#1. Prep the glass by lightly cleaning with soap and water and then air dry and clean with isopropyl alcohol.

#2. Place upside down to dry

#3. Paint 1-3 coats allowing to fully dry in between coats. Then allow 24 hours to fully air dry.

#5. Add Top Coat (optional)

According to the Folk Art PDF instructions “Add Clear Medium over your design will help ensure the longevity of your painting.”

#6. Place on cookie sheet in cool oven… don’t forget to line with parchment paper.

Folk Art Instructions say “Set oven temperature to 350 degrees F and bake project for 30 minutes. Glass must heat gradually with the oven to avoid breakage. Do not place glass in a hot oven. After 30 minutes, turn the oven off.”

#7. Allow paint to cure for 72 hours.

Another option is to air dry the piece. This process takes 21 days.

#8. Install new Wicks, Burners and the chimneys.

TIP: It is important to measure and match the chimney base opening width to the burner when purchasing a replacement chimney!

Replacement chimneys can be difficult to source locally. Light Farms is carried at Ace Hardware which is where I found the new burners and there were replacement chimneys there as well. However I had already purchased a chimney at a local thrift shop for $0.99 vs the $8.00 for a brand new one!