tilley lamp tops

2 of my lamps tops are very pitted and chipped,
some rust is also present.
how do you guys repaint them?
and if so what type of paint should i use?
thanks

 

They are vitreous enamel coated which is like ground glass and pigments baked on at very high temperature, it cracks due to heating and cooling. Once a crack appears it lets air and moisture to the steel which rusts and ..etc
No one seems to have found a substitute to re enameling or replacing the hood.

 

thanks for that...
will just have to clean it the best i can.

 

I usually rub down as best I can then spray with black extreme high temperature paint (XHT) as opposed to very high temperature (VHT). The paint is designed for vehicle exhausts and engine blocks and does not suffer from the heat produced from lamps. Plenty of suppliers on eBay.

 

Does that come in gloss finish, Stuart?

 

You can get a clear that is gloss but it's only good to 450 deg C

 

David I have only come across it in matt finish.

 

Thanks, Stuart - I keep hoping that one day someone will develop a VHT gloss finish...