Sign up to receive the latest and greatest articles from our site automatically each week (give or take)right to your inbox. This will make knotting the thread at the end easier. When you turn on the lamp, the pump moves the oil to the top. Then, turn the lamp on. One of the pans is at the bottom of the lamp, while the other is at the top. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. 172 sold . However, should you use oil with scent additives, the pump will be damaged. They come with a variety of figures inside- from a mill wheel to a dancing couple. 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. Begin on the underside of the bottom lid and tie off the string with either a washer or a really large knot--one that can't pull through the hole. The rust remover you are referring to is likely naval jelly. The pump may have stopped working after using improper oils. However, a rain lamp can have any sort of decorative display, or none at all, with the simplicity of dripping oil as its main feature. First, I reassembled the lamp, then I put the wire through the top of the lamp and then I connected the wire with the bulb socket! Although theyre not the brightest lamps in the fold, they cost a pretty good penny for their beauty and quality material. Maker: Creators Inc. Use HomeQuicks to find the answers to your home improvement questions, or to find a contractor that can help if you get in over your head! Vintage Aladdin Magic Genie Lamps Classic Collectable Light Lamp for Home Table- I'm a simple guy from a simple country called Latvia. 6.5" x 9" CollectiveIdentities (646) $76.99 Unscrew the top nut of the lamp where it joins the electrical cord/chain and slide it down the electrical cord andaway from the lamp center. Rain lamps have few working parts, so very little goes wrong. The most expensive in the world right now is $3,000. Mix vinegar and baking soda together in a small bowl. Tying three tight knots, one after the other will be sufficient to keep the filament in place. This is what worked for hours use at your own risk, they can be fragile, and if you break a strand you will be in for a lot of work restringing. Don Juan is a first edition oil rain lamp made of thick wood with a dark finish. Creators Inc wasnt the pioneer of rain lamps, but the company took its design to a whole other level such that its responsible for the most expensive models worldwide. Although its made of plastic, the Fisherman rain lamps color-changing light and moveable statuette are desirable. Wendy Adams has been a Web designer, content writer and blogger since 1998. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. By then, consumers interest waned and gravitated more towards other forms of decorative pieces. Tabletop Water Fountain Elephants Near Palm Tree and Tiki Hut. Most users clean their oil lamps daily to ensure a longer lamp life and fewer problems. 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. Collect all small fittings and place them in a liddedcontainercontaining a mix of hot water and Fantastik (or some other grease cutting cleaner). Remove the old fishing line from the cage with scissors to replace it. $69.95 + $9.95 shipping . It claims that it does not clog as regular mineral oil does. Price: $1,500. FREE delivery Jan 24 - 27 . The Steampunk steel earned its name from using weathered brass metal to form the cylindrical caps. This can block the flow of oil if it isnt cleaned out. Pour a few drops of citrus essential oils into the water and light your oil lamp. I placed them on a paper towel to air dry. Stir it up until the cleaning solution dissolves completely. Therefore the number of holes you drill depends on the size of the lid and how close together you want the fishing line "rain fall" to be. Due to their rarity, oil rain lamps are expensive; while an ordinary antique oil lamp goes for between $25 and $150, a well-maintained oil rain lamp will cost you $2,499, going by the price listed on eBay. If not, carefully and slowly add more oil and stop to recheck. Repeat the cleaning process with the large brass fittings. We wiped down the motor as much as possible to remove any of the leftover motor oil. Using a small bowl, mix rubbing alcohol with baking soda. Remove the panel found in the area where oil flows into the pump. Set up your work area by spreading out the plastic sheets and newspapers, to hold any oil spills. It is then pumped again upwards to the top pan, where the light makes the moving oil sparkle and create a raining effect. If you have trouble reaching certain places within your oil lamp, use cotton swabs dipped in rubbing alcohol to rub out any dirt or grime, so they dont build up over time! Speaking of two-for-one deals, having this oil rain lamp embedded in a grand wall clock was a genius idea. When you put the flowers in, make sure none of them are touching any of the fishing lines. Wipe off excess oil and clean the thread holes by inserting a needle and removing oil build-up. Copyright Home Quicks & Buzzle.com, Inc. If you have any broken glass pieces that you want to remove, put them into the oil lamp first and let them sit for five minutes before lighting your candle again. Reach through the strands and remove the light bulb, statue, and foliage. Year: c. 1970s String the fishing line through the holes. In this video I reassemble the center part of the lamp and attach the motor. Wipeout any leftover residue with a paper towel. The monofilament line is held taut by a series ofinterlocking brass couplings. Oil is added to fill holes in the bottom collection pan below the foliage. They served the same purpose as a lava lamp. Unscrew the top canopy and remove it. Hammerite!! A true blast from the past, rain lamps can make for a nostalgic throwback when featured in your room's decor. it shines really bright!!! Cut the newspapers into small pieces so that they will fit inside the jar or container. Finish the drilled edge, thus sealing the bolt into the hole, with some JB Weld. 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. Thats why the top two most valuable oil rain lamps are Tom Sawyer figurines made of brass by Creators Inc. 1. 4. How do you clean an oil rain lamp? What, they are not swag lamps! Converting one of these to take a bulb makes perfect sense. But by the early '70s their popularity had faded. After coating the lamp with the liquid, I let it soak in for some time. Usually cylindrical in shape, rain lamps are comprised of a metal top and base, the latter of which holds a hidden motor. Large eye-bolt or bolt with hook with matching nut, 3 metal pipes (tubes)--threaded ends with matching nuts optional for ease of installation, Fountain/aquarium pump with lighting attached (lighting optional). Traditionally, rain lamps depicted Grecian scenes, often using a statue of Aphrodite among greenery. Sadly, one of the monofilament line got broken during shipping and I had theseemingly odious task of restringing the lamp foist upon me. She found out that the rain lamp had been using motor oil, so Gitter had to drain it and clean it. Usually, it is for decorative purposes besides lighting; therefore, rain lamps have plastic foliage and a Venus statue. Along the base, you will see small holes in a collection pan at the bottom. As the filament is pulled/stretched, the diameter of the monofilament will decrease by a very small amount, allowing you to pinch the filament in place with the smaller brass fitting. Secure the bolt, using a nut, through the opening. Sadly, one of the monofilament line got broken during shipping and I h. Pinterest. 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. The fishing line is sturdier than you think, but it is still a very delicate process. It sure would be more useful, but as I don't go camping too often, hanging this on a wall as a both decorative and practical piece seems quite nice too! HMMMM mine is definitely oil I remember that.. Ok I looked up the lamp where you found it it has a $495.00 price on it! rain lamp repair, plastic id. i have found elecrtolsis works well for me. Runner Up in the Before and After Contest. Pour dishwasher detergent directly into the water with hot water. Monofilament line is also commonly referred to as fishing line. Using Rubbing Alcohol: What is Brushed Steel and What is it Used For? There was a lot of dirty oil stuck in here and we wanted to get it all cleaned out. When autocomplete results are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. And hooray! Some models combined Brass and Wood using the former for the base and top then the latter for the pillars. Along the base, you will see small holes in a collection pan at the bottom. Always Use The Correct Type Of Oil. Theres a hole underneath the lamps base open it up and pour in your oil. Set aside the small brass fittings to dry. After dumping most of it out, I carried it home in a trash bag- what a mess. Shes an electricity-powered tabletop piece without a hanger for alternate placement. This equals ~$15 in mineral oil. If the fishing line is damaged, cut the threads with a scissor, and wipe the holes thoroughly with paper. Be very careful. Maker: Creators Inc. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Now thread it back down, through the neighboring hole, back to the bottom lid. Of course, any item that costs an arm and a leg needs to be carefully maintained, which is why we will tell you the right way to add oil to your rain lamp to avoid damaging it. Since there is very little information regarding the oil rain lamp, lets help you understand first how it works. Always make sure your lamp is cool to the touch before cleaning it. Are Creators Inc. and The Johnson Industries, the only Manufacturers of Vintage Rain Lamps? Gitter warns that it took six hours to restore the rain lamp to its former glory. These three holes will be used for the metal pipes which provide both structural strength as well as oil flow features. Glue the light to the hole, on the inside of the lid so that the bulb is visible only in a subtle way. If you arent familiar with rain lamps, they were popular in the 60s-70s and used a thick fishing line where oil runs down giving it the appearance that it is raining. Screens help to filter particles and debris from entering your home, as, Read More How to Properly Clean Window and Door ScreensContinue, So, youve done the unthinkable and broken a mirror that was already in a frame. After the success of the Johnson Industries invention, a new player entered the game the Creators Inc. Reassemble all the parts, fill the lamp with fresh oil or fluid, and your rain lamp is ready to use. Dont add too much, or it could bubble over and make a big mess. (Or you can cut the hole.) It used to be that once your motor was ruined, you were basically out of luck as it was nearly impossible to repair. Its a two-tiered fountain instead of the standard cylindrical-shaped rain lamp making it a two-in-one design swag and tabletop. The blockbuster film adaptation of the New York Bestseller reached theaters in 1974 hence the sudden popularity. Within the circular lid, select three points to form an equilateral triangle and drill your holes there. Mix one teaspoon of baking soda with enough water to form a paste (about two tablespoons). I wandered into the abandoned neighbor property, where I found an old nearly collapsed shack. This includes a detailed guide on picking out a rain lamp and knowing the difference between each model. You can find it on Amazon, Ebay and if you Google it, you can find other suppliers. When all fittings have been cleaned thoroughly, restringing the lamp can begin. Using Lemon Juice: Squeeze lemon juice into the lamp to break down deposits. The original oil rain lamp came with custom-made Rain Lamp Oil which is still for sale on some secondary retail sites. Add Tip Ask Question Comment Download Step 1: Taking Apart I started with taking it apart. You will also have to use the metal epoxy to attach the metal flashing strips to the light as a protection from any oil leak. This one shows the lovers in childhood walking through a garden. 1. These cookies do not store any personal information. So we hung her right in the entryway when you come in the front door. Fortunately, its not a standard requirement so you can use the alternative Mineral Oil or Alkane Oil thats readily available and pocket-friendly. 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. People are selling 32 ounce bottles of mineral oillabeled as Rain Lamp Oil for $24.95 plus $13.00 S&H. good instructable. Screw on the top canopy and replace the decorative bands. Essential oils for fragrance can damage the pump. I had to scrub every petal and leaf by hand. Her work appears on Demand Studios, Text Broker, Associated Content and on client websites and numerous social network sites. Replace the foliage, statue and light bulb and screw the cage back into the bottom canopy. Make 3 holes in each lid as wide as the metal pipes, in the shape of an equilateral triangle. Sponge the statue with hot, soapy water, rinse, and dry thoroughly before putting it back in the lamp. Epoxy Clear spray paint Super Glue Orange wire nut or Solder Electrical tape 32oz. Oil Rain Lamp part 4: Cleaning this all up TheHandyAndy Oil Rain Lamp Restoration Part 2 repair the motor dangerwillrobinsonn Jerry's drip lamp Oil Rain Lamp Part 5 Mineral. It's a new breath to an old object! Tie the other end in a knot to secure the strands and keep them taut. The most complicated part of repairing a rain lamp is disassembling the lamp, which is easy. Maker: Unbranded However, the oil inside them may need to be replaced periodically, and you must clean these lamps regularly, so they dont lose their shine! To begin, make sure your lamp is empty of as much oil as possible. When you fill oil into the lamp, make sure that you use only mineral oil or paraffin oil, as other types can get rancid very soon, or they may stop the pump from functioning correctly. Check out our oil rain lamp selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our oil lamps shops. Work from the inside out to make the process simpler. A rain lamp has a pump, two pans, and drip lines. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Position and glue down any small statues, plastic greenery, or other decorative items you wish to display inside the rain lamp. Don't drill the hole too low in the side or you may leak oil. How Often Should You Water Aloe Vera Indoors? 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. So I was sure that I can't leave it there to rust! Tie a knot in the end of the fishing line large enough to secure it and thread the line through the first hole. Tom Sawyer and Becky Thatcher are lovers from the coming-of-age book Tom Sawyer. Know the parts of the oil lamp. The small holes at the bottom pan are used to refill the oil, but you will have to turn on the light first. The Chicago-based company designed a wider range than the original creators solidifying their position in the market. A vintage rain lamp is a cylindrical object featuring a top and bottom held together by three pillars with a statuette in the center. Be sure the thread is pulled through tautly. Then, carefully pour the oil a little at a time. Moving bottom to top and vice versa, you will eventually have a mesh of the fishing line. Ensure that the flexible pipe used for the outflow of the pump is properly connected, and push the loose end into another metal pipe to the bottom. Wipe off excess oil and clean the thread holes by inserting a needle and removing oil build-up. Unscrew the base pieces from the lamp. The swag rain lamps became more popular, however, for their versatility. 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. Repeat the threading process all the way around. When that was done I took a piece of wet cloth, and cleaned the lamp with it. Use some metal flashing strips and the metal epoxy, to seal the hole to avoid oil leaks. Year: c. 1970 Expect to pour at least 1 pt. The most common repair is replacing a burnt-out light bulb. Maker: Unbranded 1. Then, turn your lamp off and let the used kerosene evaporate overnight before lighting again. on Introduction, Question Oil rain lamps with Venus as the statuette are rare, and not all of them are standing erect. First, you will have to prepare all the parts that are needed to create the oil rain lamp. To make some space for the power cord of the oil pump, you need to drill a hole in the side of the bottom jar. Step 2. Since the fishing lines are fragile, you must be careful not to break them. So instead of fixing it, I decided to upgrade it! With a little creativity, and the right materials and tools, anyone can make a beautiful oil rain lamp. This jar will be used as the top of the lamp, and the hook will be used for hanging the lamp. The lamp pump assembly is affixed to the bottom of the center portion of the lamp. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Our site includes quite a bit of content, so if you're having an issue finding what you're looking for, go on ahead and use that search feature there! Replace emptied oil. 2. You know you have to buy a lamp when you see its a two-for-one deal like this one. Search online for the brand and model of your pump, pump repairs, or a new one. 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. Aside from worrying about seven years of bad luck, you also have to worry about finding a way to replace, Read More Heres How to Replace a Mirror in the FrameContinue. i also restore old dietz oil lamps. In this video I restore the Oil Rain Lamp my mother gave me from my grandmothers house. Finding a rain lamp is rather difficult, and because of its rarity, you might find buying a good one to be expensive. Oil Rain Lamp Replacement Pump for Small or Large Rain Lamps, New Part "Make Your Lamp Rain Again"! Drill a larger hole (large enough for the eye-bolt or hook bolt) in the center bottom of one of the jars. Remember not to rush when you pour to avoid overflow. Using a small bowl, mix 1/2 cup bleach with 3-4 tablespoons of laundry detergent. Then, turn the lamp on. Reach out to those you care for and talk. New . Artistic Delights Pump with Lighting Source. Do not use anything heaver than a 40 pound line, as you will have difficulty reinserting the smaller brass couplings (Ill cover this a few paragraphs later). As Hunker advises, once it is time to add oil to a rain lamp, ensure that you place it on a sturdy flat surface. Its been about 30 to 40 years now, and the vintage Rain Lamp is making a comeback. This Salesman Rain Lamp comes in its original case intact, including its brass edges, hardware, and silky red interior lining to prevent abrasions. I started with taking it apart. You can use this method with or without using water first. The Chinese Goddess is a swag oil rain lamp with a motion sensor that lights up in blue and purple alternatively. On Do You Remember, K. Gitter writes about her excitement about getting a vintage rain lamp. If your lamp is low on oil or if you've just procured a vintage beauty of your own and need to replace the fluid this can be easily done with just one ingredient and a few simple steps. Today. You can use a metal cleaner and dish soap to clean the metallic parts. My husband through it in the shed! With electricity!! See pictures Would need a good cleaning Goddess moves around Has some chips on top and side , see pictures Local pick up only Vintage Goddess Hanging Mineral Oil Rain Lamp Light Large 36" Tall 13" Dia . This will be the top of the lamp and the eye-bolt or hook will used for hanging the lamp. I was surprised because after more than 30 years of being in really low and high temperatures the glass bowl wasn't broken! Let us look at some more information regarding this beautiful item. It contains white mineral oils, making it one of the most versatile petroleum products. You should end up with three pipes, standing in a triangle atop one lid while supporting the other. The basic parts of an oil lamp are the fuel bowl, collar, burner, wick and chimney or globe. The only rain lamp parts that need servicing or replacement are the bulb, pump, and the fishing line. So, use the drill to make small holes close to the outer edge of the screw-on lids of the metal jar. Thread the output tube from the aquarium/fountain pump up through another pipe. Now you can screw on the top jar. Remember that youll need to repeat this process about once per week if you dont want to replace bleach every time you clean your oil lamp. 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. Another style of rain lamp existed at the beginning the tabletop. She is just as beautiful now as she was in 1967! But do not screw on the jars just yet. Year: c. 1970 This is for the pump's power cord. (Optional) Paint the outside of the jars and the lids connected together with the three pipes. Use a paper towel to wipe down each strand of oily fishing line in the path to accessing the light bulb. If this is the case, a good cleaning will fix the problem. The jars will screw onto the bottom and upside down onto the top. Add 3-4 drops of dish soap before lighting, and let it clean for 2-3 hours without using water because it would be much harder to clean later on when you add water. Be careful that no water or oil goes onto the electric components, during this entire process. 3. Add Tip Ask Question Comment Download Step 1: Print the Parts The lamp consists of 4 printed parts. Next, thread the fishing line in the holes. There are no definite proportions for rain lamps since Johnson industries handcrafted each piece. How to Reupholster Dining Chairs The Right Way. Year: c. 1970s This is a messy project. 2. Price: $1,450 The small holes at the bottom pan are used to refill the oil, but you will have to turn on the light first. 2. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. The Gold Goddess, Venus, is one of the few oil lamps with white floral foliage instead of the regular green plastic. Contrary to what you may think based on availability, hanging rain lamps(swag) arent the only design. Pour the mixture into your oil lamp with hot water. Fix the hook and bolt to the jar with the nut and the metal epoxy adhesive. Carefully dismantle the lamp, without causing any damage to the parts. Use a tiny hammer to tap the smaller brass fitting into place. of oil and wait a few minutes. 2023 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. The oil then flows to the drip lines, and the small holes disperse oil to the fishing lines encompassing the statue hence producing a rain effect. Next, let everything sit for at least 5-6 hours or overnight before turning on the lamp. Now, to finish off the decorative touches, carefully glue down all the statues and foliage, etc., without disturbing the threading. The most valuable vintage rain lamp is a Fisherman statuette steampunk steel model, which auctions for $3,000 on eBay. eHow may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Explore. On the contrary, it increased the demand and drove up the bottom line making them a luxury item until the early 1980s. 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