Vapalux 320 A good clean and a polish

Discussion in '320' started by Madras, Jul 1, 2022.

  1. Madras

    Madras United Kingdom Subscriber

    Offline
    Joined:
    Sep 12, 2019
    Messages:
    104
    Location:
    Uk
    I received this lamp probably about a year ago now .
    The seller told me that a old man had had it for a very long time and it was rediscovered in the loft of the mans house after the water tank leaked and everything had to be removed for the repairs ,so the lamp received a little water damage.
    I used my rotary tool with the brass brushes to remove the dazz from the frame ,I then used some polishing compound with the rotary tool and a buffing mop ,there are still a few blemishes but I'm happy with the results .
    The filler cap ,pump and control cock all had paint missing so I gave those a gentle going with the brass brush as I didn't want a full on shine to the brass.
    The hood was in very good condition and a little brasso and elbow grease worked great on that .
    I replaced the pre heater wick with a new wick but neglected to polish the alloy heater cup, oops .
    The tank got a warm soapy water bath and a gentle wipe over with a sponge to get the dust and oil off it then had a soaking with some turtle Wax and gently worked into the paint .
    The glass is clear as a bell once all the dust was washed off and the bialaddin logo is very clear .
    Here are some before and after shots .
    Marten

    IMG_20220511_114402.jpg IMG_20210625_184136.jpg IMG_20210625_184149.jpg IMG_20210625_184214.jpg IMG_20210625_184225.jpg IMG_20220511_114654.jpg IMG_20220511_114714.jpg IMG_20220511_114446.jpg IMG_20220511_114629.jpg IMG_20220511_114421.jpg IMG_20220511_114842.jpg
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jul 1, 2022
  2. ROBBO55

    ROBBO55 Subscriber

    Offline
    Joined:
    Oct 21, 2014
    Messages:
    3,698
    Location:
    Somersby, New South Wales, Australia
    It's cleaned up nicely, congratulations :thumbup:
     
  3. JEFF JOHNSON

    JEFF JOHNSON United Kingdom Subscriber

    Offline
    Joined:
    Nov 28, 2010
    Messages:
    15,013
    Location:
    Shetland Islands UK..
    It looks fine now.:thumbup:
     
  4. Scott D

    Scott D United States Subscriber

    Offline
    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2020
    Messages:
    714
    Location:
    Yorkshire, UK
    Nice work!
     
  5. Mr cod

    Mr cod Subscriber

    Offline
    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2018
    Messages:
    489
    Location:
    Aylsham norfolk
    A nice well built lamp and looking good, are you going to light it up.
    Ian
     
  6. Madras

    Madras United Kingdom Subscriber

    Offline
    Joined:
    Sep 12, 2019
    Messages:
    104
    Location:
    Uk
    Thanks all for the kind words .
    @Mr cod unfortunately at this time I shan't be lighting any of my paraffin lamps ,there is a clause in my tenancy contract that says paraffin is not permitted anywhere in the premisses .
    Marten
     
  7. maerhall United Kingdom

    Offline
    Joined:
    Nov 27, 2022
    Messages:
    1
    Location:
    Kidderminster Worcestershire UK
    Hi I am new to this site but use Bialaddin 300X, Tilley Guardsman and later Tilleys mainly for practical use. I noticed some very highly polished brass ones, but are these actually used regularly? I have found stoves and lamps soon go dull after use due to air and paraffin stains, and varnishing goes brownish and cracks due to the heat. Is there any advantage of having a highly burnished lamp you use? And how do you keep it like that without lots of cleaning? Dont mean to be offensive, just wondering.
     
  8. X246A

    X246A United Kingdom Subscriber

    Offline
    Joined:
    Jan 11, 2011
    Messages:
    1,198
    Location:
    Norfolk, England
    Hi @Madras

    She certainly certainly came up well! Hopefully you will get the opportunity soon to light and use this lantern. I have a spot spot for Vapalux/Bialaddin lanterns and think the build quality to be spot-on!

    Hi @maerhall

    Welcome to the forum. I would assume the vast majority of folks who highly polish the brass tend to keep them as a display or shelf-Queen model. There is in my opinion no real benefit to keeping them shiny other than aesthetically pleasing. To keep them in this condition would require regular polishing or lacquering.

    There is no “right” or “wrong”, just personal preference. I personally prefer to conserve rather than restore or polish, but this could be down to personal laziness, and I tend to keep a “worker” lantern clean and serviced only. If you browse the forum you will see lots of posts on the “polish or not polis” topic

    I look forward to seeing your lanterns, although best to do so in a separate post.

    Regards Jeremy
     
  9. Madras

    Madras United Kingdom Subscriber

    Offline
    Joined:
    Sep 12, 2019
    Messages:
    104
    Location:
    Uk
    @X246A

    Hi Jeremy apologies for not replying sooner .
    Thank you yes she did scrub up well ,hope the other one in the shed waiting for a beauty treatment will scrub up just as well .
    I have a small rather eclectic collection of lamps and stoves but my real weaknes is for the anchor type lamps and other petclones but I'll take in most strays .

    @maerhall

    Hi , there are as many preferences on how lamps should be finished as there are manufacturers of lamps .
    There are done lamps that look real good fully polished ,some look good being untouched and others are do bad that full paint and polish is needed .
    At the moment personally I like the sympathetic restoration.
    Thanks marten
     

Share This Page