Hello members. I am trying to gain as many opinions as possible. I have a Bialaddin 315 with the short red top which was nearly brand new looking although was made in 1961. Unfortunately it shot two pieces of enamel off. I notice when looking for a replacement or possible to have it enameled again. The shorter hoods seem to suffer all at the top round the top edge compared with the taller hoods from the 320 lamps. Is it because the taller hoods do not have the heat so concentrated at that point ?Your thoughts please & Thankyou
tilleyz13 - a user here, offers re-enamelling, presscall (John) has done some home experiments with patching up enamel jobs. Enamel loss seems to go with the territory. "Fair wear and tear" is what my dad would have said.
Thank you Ian for your reply. I have spoke to the gentleman about this. I am trying find an answer why the shorter version of hoods seem to go round the top edge. I have not seen so many 320 or similar hoods go at the same location. I am wondering if I had it enameled again how long would it last or do I change the hood for the taller version.
Thanks! what a shame.. looks in great nick otherwise … It seems to me that the spot welds used to join the two parts of the hood, over time and constant heating/cooling will start to rust which will expand and the enamel eventually cracks… regards pb
Eventually a ring of bald patches will develop where the topmost section was welded to the bottom half. It's just something that happens with these particular hoods. I've got my fair share and really can't be @rsed to either re-enamel them or find replacements, because the same thing will happen... and some examples...
Colin. Thank you for your reply. I am sure you are correct with your assumptions as Pod Bros said the similar reason as yourself. Since collecting lamps I have always tried to have them in near mint condition. I was a bit surprised it happened as the lamp had always been kept in house and the hood was as new up until it shed the two flakes off. I think I will fit a higher domed hood as they seem more resilient to cracking the enamel. Cheers again.
I think the spot welds conduct heat to the cowl and the differential expansion cause the enamel to crack and flake. Then the exposed metal rusts. Not much can be done to stop it, but I wonder if aged enamel (we are looking at 50+ years) is more prone to the effects.
HI Ian. Thank you for your comments re the enamel on the hood. Yes it sounds a very good explanation. Thanks again .
@Steptoe, I have a mint 315 with mint hood in the collection. I burnt it when I got it home and asked a similar question on this forum as to whether I should only burn it indoors as I thought heat/ wet/ cold may cause the loss of enamel. I offer the same advice that I received at that time. If you want to preserve a good hood, burn a damaged one and keep your best for display. Enamel will deteriorate inevitably with use. Tall, short, red, green, you name it. Yes, the welding on those type of hoods does seem to accelerate it aswell.
Hi There Nicky Boy. Thank you for your reply. Yes I think you are spot on with your views of the hoods. I have now changed most of my lamps over to the higher dome. They are designed slightly different in as much as they are not welded together which is where the expansion and contraction and eventual rust take place. Cheers for now.
