I managed to find a nice Hipolito 502 on ebay it looked a bit rough but I decided to give it a home Date stamp is 2448. It had several problems and I suspect someone had been messing with it to try and get it working but little sucess, the pressure release screw was not holding, so I removed it and tapped out the threads then cleaned up the screw, cleand out the quick start jet fitted some new seals and it seems to be ready (nice original glass) . did some polishing and the base is not too bad, some marks which are obvious close up one problem is the hood. I tried to brush it then polish it but I cant mqke much impression on it, it looks like rust but a magnet tells me that the material is not steel, I know it will never be a show winer but would be nice to have it a bit better. I suspect a new hod will be the only answer to get it up to scratch,
A well built lantern. It's a shame about the hood but I fear finding a N.O.S. one will be akin to finding hen's teeth. The cost of having the hood stripped, cleaned and replated could be prohibitive - unless you fancy having a go yourself.
Hi Henry, yes I don't hold much hope of finding a hood or even a donor lamp which has other damage, but I can dream. I looked at prices of parts now and things seem to have shot up recently, makes me wonder if its something else we can blame on the Ukraine situation? I wondered about a possible strip and re finish but I've never attempted something like that, do you know If the finish is nickle plate ? I also wondered if anyone on here might have had a similar story it would be interesting to hear. But it's a nice well built lamp and I have it running nice and bright now so it's a positive outcome.
for the hood, you'd have to find an electroplating shop. You might try and ask motor-bike enthusiasts, they may have the needed contact in your area. The damaged plating must be removed, then a good polish is needed, a first "basic" copper-plating is done to fill any irregularities. Next good polish is needed. Then a nickel plating can be done. As a next step (and after another fine polish) a chrome-plating could be added. After that, you'd have a hood that looks better than new, as no one ever did that electroplating job as taught in the books. They just took the brass parts, swiftly remove oils and just add a chrome plating. You'd need a workshop that likes to do that job just as well. Erik
I will certainly look at re plating as an option but it's easy to end up with a lamp that you have spent double the money which wold have bought a better example, I'll keep exploring the possibilities.
Keep as it is in my opinion. Its a working lantern, it will never be pristine so why needlessly spend hard earned money trying to get the hood restored. With the money you've saved from not undertaking the re plating, try and find yourself a NOS Petromax/Geniol/Hipolito.
You have probably hit the nail on the head there, it was nice to solve the problems of it not working, and to tidy it up a bit, so I will use it and enjoy it as a nice bright lamp. If a spare hood comes along then that will be a bonus.
Well never one to resist I bought some Mothers Mag polish which i havent tried before, I brushed the hood with a soft wire brush, then a burst on the buffing wheel, then a rub up with the new polish and its not so bad that will do now. from To and to
Well, what a result ! I didn't know you could buy it here. Having said that I never looked. I will get some - cheers Ray
Found it on e Bay, I've never used it before I always used solvol autosol but I must say I'm impressed with the new stuff, it added an extra shine to the base which I had already done.
Nice job. A lantern that will last you for years. Parts readily available albeit getting a wee bit more expensive every few months.
