Expert: Anderson's Restorations-Rob Anderson - 1/21/2010

Question
Hi,

I am not sure if you might be able to help me, I hope so.  I bought an antique floor lamp.  It was said it is made out of wroght iron but it is very, very heavy and it has a dark patina on it but there are some spots where it is rubbed a bit and what is under looks more like a brass or bronze or copper color.  But the metal aside, what I am wondering is how I restore the finish.  I don't necessarily want to remove all of the dark color on it but it is very ornate and has a lot of great detail on it and I want some of that to show.  Is there a way to gently polish it or rub it to restore some of the look of it without reducing the value of the lamp?  I am not planning on selling it or anything, I really like the lamp, but I'd also like to maintain it in the way it is supposed to be maintained.  Thanks in advance for any advice you can give.  Oh, it is also missing a lampshade.  The receptacle for the bulb points downward and is very ornate and it looks like it would have something like a tulip type shade hanging from it. I can find no name on the lamp as yet and I am wondering if you might have any ideas on what kind of lampshade it should have - I can send a photo of it if you need it.  

Answer
First, you need to get a magnet off the frig and test the lamp in several places. If it sticks, then it's iron. If it doesn't stick, it's pot metal, brass or copper but it also is probably plated. Many of these lamps were plated with an "antique" looking finish but what may have happened is the top [clear] coat has darkened making the lamp much darker then it should be.
 Anything you do may reduce the value of the lamp from its "original" condition. That said, it's your lamp and you can do what you want with it. The first thing I would do, is to get some liquid stripper and a old brush and try stripping a little of the old finish in a area that's hidden, such around the base bottom. If the finish comes off and you see it lighter, then precede a little further. If this seems to be working, once stripped, you can lightly scuff some of the areas you want to highlight with a scotchbrite pad. This should give you the antique look we spoke about. When your satisfied, get some spray lacquer in a can, satin finish, and give it a few coats and it will remain as is for many years.
As far as a shade goes, their are many glass shades available. I would look on the net and ebay to find similar styles and see what kind of shades they show and just pick a similar one that you like.
 I hope this helps but if you have more questions, just drop me a line with a few picture[include one close-up]off this venue. You can get my email off my web site below.
 Good luck with your lamp,
  Rob
 http://www.andersonsrestorations.com