So, look out for the brand name when youre shopping. I have to remind my self grief is not something that will just never go away but come and go as time passes. She is just as beautiful now as she was in 1967! Then, turn the lamp on. Before you begin adding or replacing the oil in your rain lamp, be sure to find a flat, sturdy surface to work on and line the area with a plastic covering and several towels. Add Tip Ask Question Comment Download Step 1: Print the Parts The lamp consists of 4 printed parts. They served the same purpose as a lava lamp. In these blog posts, we are going to discuss how to clean an oil rain lamp. 2. She found out that the rain lamp had been using motor oil, so Gitter had to drain it and clean it. Apply the weld compound and smooth. Sign up to receive the latest and greatest articles from our site automatically each week (give or take)right to your inbox. Cut the newspapers into small pieces so that they will fit inside the jar or container. I thought I would put this tutorial together for anyone that needs to clean their own rain lamp. The holders usually had 3 metal rods to hold the lamps structure, and the lamps came in beautiful shades of gold or silver. In this video I restore the Oil Rain Lamp my mother gave me from my grandmothers house. Using the metal epoxy adhesive, fix the ends of the metal pipes to the top of the lids. Year: c. 1973 The monofilament line is held taut by a series ofinterlocking brass couplings. You can only do this by putting your hands through the filaments and weaving the items out. Note: If you opt to not use a pump with lighting, you will simply have two empty pipes for excess oil. Replace the foliage, statue and light bulb and screw the cage back into the bottom canopy. Then, carefully pour the oil a little at a time. Once all of the small fittingshave been removed, remove the monofilament line from the lamp by unthreading it from the holes. Make sure both knots are secure and the fishing line from hole to hole is tight. Year: c. 1970 The length of the outer circle rain pattern filament line was approximately 40 feet in length. So we hung her right in the entryway when you come in the front door. According toSteampunk Steele the largest oil rain lamp collector globally its one of two rare models in the world. When youve successfully threaded the new monofilament linethrough the lamp, tie a knot in the filament underneath the center of the lamp. Using a small chisel or tool with a beveled edge, pry the smaller fitting out of the center of the larger fitting. As HomeQuicks enlightens us, you should also wash the foliage and statues with soap and water, being extra careful that the electric components do not get water. Sponge the statue with hot, soapy water, rinse, and dry thoroughly before putting it back in the lamp. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Use the Greenlee punch to punch a hole (can be round or square) in the center of the lid that screws onto the top jar. Unlike most other models, it draws power from an electrical source and features a moving Goddess in the center, giving an illusion of dancing in the rain., Maker: Creators Inc. This Salesman Rain Lamp comes in its original case intact, including its brass edges, hardware, and silky red interior lining to prevent abrasions. I was surprised because after more than 30 years of being in really low and high temperatures the glass bowl wasn't broken! Make the opening a little smaller than the 2 by 2-inch piece of glass--you want enough lip around the hole to hold the glass. With electricity!! It was only $35 and listed under vintage lamp. We quickly made our way over to pick it up, only to find out they had used motor oil in the lamp. (Optional) Paint the outside of the jars and the lids connected together with the three pipes. Attach the metal pipes to the lids using JB Weld (and nuts on the threaded ends if you use a threaded metal pipe). Answer (1 of 3): As someone who has been collecting and restoring rain lamps for nearly 20 years, I would not advise using anything other than Drakeol #35 in your rain lamp. This is now the "top jar" of your rain lamp. If this is the case, a good cleaning will fix the problem. Year: c. 1970 Pour this mixture into your oil lamp and sit for at least 5-6 hours before lighting again. The Chinese Goddess is a swag oil rain lamp with a motion sensor that lights up in blue and purple alternatively. The more you clean it, the longer it will last and the less soot production there will be because thats what causes most of your smoke problems. I tied the starter end of the monofilament line to a pencil to keep a good length of filament on the bottom of the lamp so I wouldnt have difficulty making a good knot in the filament when Id finished threading it through the lamp. Nevertheless, they remain a beautiful example of decorative lamps. Rain lamps rose to popularity between the late 1960s to early 1970s after Johnson Industries introduced them the previous decade. It better still be there for his sake! So, use the drill to make small holes close to the outer edge of the screw-on lids of the metal jar. Maker: Johnson Industries On the other hand, the wooden rain lamp used a polished chrome finish giving it a definite structure, unlike the Steampunk steel, which had a fancy detail. Rain lamps are very attractive pieces of artwork that impart an atmosphere of serenity and grace to their surroundings. Be very careful. Touch device users, explore by touch or with swipe gestures. The first thing we did was find a large flat work space and lined it with plastic bags and paper towels- you are going to need A LOT of paper towels. This one shows the lovers in childhood walking through a garden. To make it look unusual, I decided to paint some of the parts white! The only thing they have in common is their positioning style they hang. This is a swag lamp. Now, carefully disassemble the parts of the oil rain lamp. So I went to the local shop and bought it (they had only one color - bright blue)! on Introduction, Question We wiped down the motor as much as possible to remove any of the leftover motor oil. Set aside the small brass fittings to dry. 4. Price: $2,000 The dirt was so caked on the leaves of the flowers that even after soaking them, each petal still had to be scrubbed by hand to get the grime off- both sides. While there were different vintage rain lamps, two designs stood out Steampunk Steel and Wood. Its a very rare model, and people keep searching for it daily, so its best to guard it jealously if you find one. Using a small bowl, mix 1/2 cup bleach with 3-4 tablespoons of laundry detergent. While I don't care for you converting this to electric because I feel a restored "oil" lantern would be more useful (camping, hiking, backyard bbq, winter street parade, etc) you did a good job and turned someone else's trash into your treasure, so thumbs up to you. This length will allow fora foot or so extra length at the bottom. The most expensive in the world right now is $3,000. Year: c. 1970 5. Next, thread the fishing line in the holes. Cleaning a lamp properly will lead to a better-smelling oil lamp. The pump can be damaged by using scent additives to the oil and may need repair or replacing. Now for the fun part! Pour sea salt into a clean glass bowl, then melt 1/8 cup of paraffin wax over low heat on the stove. These cookies do not store any personal information. Here you can see the black gunk stuck on the strands and in the holes at the bottom, along with the black filth stuck inside the flowers. New . Shes an electricity-powered tabletop piece without a hanger for alternate placement. Add Tip Ask Question Comment Download Step 1: Taking Apart I started with taking it apart. Do not use too much oil because it can overwhelm the pump. Likewise, they can be designed with only the "rain" feature and not employ any sort of lighting. By then, consumers interest waned and gravitated more towards other forms of decorative pieces. Cleaning an oil rain lamp is fairly easy, you only need to perform the following procedure. Thread the pump's power cord through the hole in the side of the bottom jar. Most users clean their oil lamps daily to ensure a longer lamp life and fewer problems. This is a messy project. Johnson industries handcrafted every piece to suit the customers taste. If not, carefully and slowly add more oil and stop to recheck. The most recommended oil is a mineral oil that comes in a bottle labeled Rain Lamp Fluid. Over time, the fishing line can become brittle and break, and will need to be replaced. Wipeout any leftover residue with a paper towel. Best of luck! If you have any questions about what we discussed here,please feel free to reach out anytime! Be careful that no water or oil goes onto the electric components, during this entire process. The light wasnt bright enough to light up a whole room, but that didnt reduce its value. Price: $665. Or fastest delivery Jan 20 - 25 . Thats why the top two most valuable oil rain lamps are Tom Sawyer figurines made of brass by Creators Inc. The best time to clean your oil lamp is when its empty. Another style of rain lamp existed at the beginning the tabletop. It runs on mineral oil and electricity, making it a good alternative during a power outage. The Chicago-based company designed a wider range than the original creators solidifying their position in the market. Over a prolonged period, the fishing line tends to become weak and break, while the oil pump may stop working due to improper oil usage or additives mixed in the fluid. Is Rain Lamp the same thing as Swag Lamp? How to Care For Your Vintage Rain Lamp: If you'relucky enough to own a vintage rain lamp,there are a few things you need to know in order to keep it in good condition. Oil lamps are a beautiful decoration for any home. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. In this HomeQuicks article, we shall learn how a rain lamp works, its making, its maintenance, and more. Next, let everything sit for at least 5-6 hours or overnight before turning on the lamp. Remove the panel found in the area where oil flows into the pump. What To Look for in a Vacuum For Hardwood Floors, 10 Simple Tips for the Best Wooden Fence Installation, A Simple Guide on How to Install Kitchen Cabinets. 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