Child Item

How to restore an old painted garden lamp?

Hello Workshop

The old garden lamp (Gas?) was found on the property when purchased. It has been painted in what is now an old and hardened green paint.

1) Lamp Post: We have managed to remove some of old paint with Emery Paper/steel wool but have decided to halt this pending restoration advice.

2) Lamp base: This appears to be a much stronger steel. Drill based soft brushes have managed to remove the green paint cover to expose a reddish undercover. The brushes and steel wool, with vinegar and salt additave have managed to remove some of this to expose what appears to be a stronger steel.

We thought it best to stop here and get your very experienced restoration advice.

Thank you - David4321

David4321

Find more posts tagged with

Tools and Materials

Repairing

Lighting and Electrical

Comments

Jason

Looks like a great project @David4321.

Let me tag some helpful members to get the discussion started on how they would tackle the restoration: @Noyade, @AlanM52, @R4addZ and @TedBear.

Jason

AlanM52

Hi @David4321,

WOW... what an amazing find!

I am going to 'chicken out' because I don't have the required know-how for something like that.

Our energy retailer is AGL so I did a search and found this.

I also did a 'Australia I want to restore an old gas light' search with plenty of results.

I agree... put a hold on the DIY thing and gather as much info as you can.

I would be looking for a dedicated restoration group or forum.

Did you notice any manufacturer identification likely embossed and maybe inside the base.

I would really like to know who & where that was made.

Cheers

David4321

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/60847#Comment_60847

Thank you Alan

My son Chris checked out the base today and found it had turned into a beautiful RUST colour.! When we saw this originally we thought it might even be a copper base but it is steel. We will revisit and try and find a manufacturer/date. Interesting what you found!

Refer Pic.

Really appreciate your interest Alan. Merry Christmas

Chat later as we progress.

David4321

SteveC

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/92883#Comment_92883

Try a sandblasting company. Only problem is it might damage the lamp housing due to thickness.

EricL

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/92883#Comment_92883

Hello @David4321

Have a quick look at this guide - How To Paint Metal. It's a nice simple guide that will let you protect your metal garden lamp.

Happy Holidays!

Eric

R4addZ

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/112605#Comment_112605

Hi @David4321

Unfortunately that is not a gas lamp and likely never was. There is no valve for turning it off and on and the big giveaway is the electric light "globe" seen in the picture (in my experience a gas mantle does not look like that). The restoration comes down to how far back to the metal you want to take it or that it can take. You can get catalytic rust converters to stop any rust but bear in mind it may also be rusting on the inside.

You will also need an Electrician to make sure it is safe for you to work on as it could be live but with a burnt out "globe". Also to rewire it when you want to put it back into service

Dave-1

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/123834#Comment_123834

Good Morning @David4321

That is a beautiful lamp post 🙂 I would defiently get a sparky out to have a look at it and also how its actually connected and if its been done properly. 😲 Yeah My grandfather use to bury old extension cords (vulcanised rubber back then) directly in the ground so I generally think its wise to find out.

The other thing is I would suggest to wear breathing masks for lead based paint when removing the rest. The age of the lamp post and your description plus how good a nick it is in all lead me to a lead based solid coating.

Would love to see it once you have restored it back to working condion, and yeah I reckon its worth the effort 🙂

Dave

David4321

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/131270#Comment_131270

Thank you Dave

Yes, we have had a sparky to look at the lamp and this is now connected to a switch in the nearby house.

I have managed to find the lamp branding symbols at the base and on at the top - 'BW'. (Refer attached pic). Are you able to track/ID this?

Appreciate the advice to wear breathing mask when removing lead based paint - will do, plus goggles.

We may treat the base initially with an Etch Paint which Bunnings advised us to use for the deeply rusted Blacksmith made gate hinges next to the lamp? That project worked well.

Regards

Davi4321

David4321

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/135813#Comment_135813

Hi Dave - Our research indicates 'BW' is a British Foundry mark for cast iron works - 'Barrow&Wilson/Barrow&Walker'. Period 1885-1925. Most likely

original ly a gas lamp.

Refer below link

Regards David4321

Screenshot 2025-12-28 at 9.42.39 am.png

David4321

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/138918#Comment_138918

BW lamp now restored. Thank you Bunnings team for your valuable help and guidance.

valuable help and guidance.

JacobZ

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/141034#Comment_141034

Hi @David4321,

That looks brilliant. I'm guessing it would've looked pretty similar to that when it was brand new.

Have you had a chance to flick it on yet? I imagine it looks even better at night.

Thank you for sharing.

Jacob

Dave-1

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/142574#Comment_142574

Good Afternoon @David4321

🙂 That does look good and like @JacobZ would love to see a photo at night or at dusk 🙂

Worth the effort!

Dave

David4321

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/142574#Comment_142574

Will send night pic when I get a photo.

David4321

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/143674#Comment_143674

Hi Bunnings W/Shop, Jacob and Dave

Please refer pics of the restored (original gas) lamp with a new bulb and taken at dusk. (Dave's suggestion)

It looks great - thanks for your help.

We just have one challenge left. The curved metal frame which holds the lamp shade is loose in the stem pole. (bottom pic) The seal has probably rusted out leaving the lamp structure to lean a little. Unsure how to fix this yet.

MitchellMc

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/144509#Comment_144509

Amazing work @David4321! Well done.

Many thanks for sharing your finished results with us.

Mitchell

Child Item