Found in late grandfathers garage - old Chalwyn Kerosene lantern

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David321

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#319119 24-Mar-2025 07:50

Hi all,

Yesterday I was going through my late grandfather's garage with family and found an old Chalwyn lantern, there is no damage and it still works, but it's in need of restoration, (disassembling prepping and painting). It looks as though it has been painted at least once before.

I am considering pulling it apart myself, cleaning it and then painting black, but I would prefer to know if there is someone in the country (Christchurch if possible) who is familiar with doing this to these lanterns as due to the sentimental value I would like it done as good as possible, plus after watching the video below I am not keen on flattening the crown of the spring loaded piece to get it out and then bending it back once the piece is back in, as you will see in the video the guy really struggled with that.

I figure a sandblaster would be a very very useful tool also (as seen in the video) and perhaps a business or person that restores these may have one or access to one.

If anyone has any info that could help, or any other relevant info that would be great.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2gLDQIyY2w

_David_

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#3356804 24-Mar-2025 08:36

Great little project - I love stuff like this - good video too. The Finnish guy used hand wire brushing, sand blasting and then bench grinder brushing/Dremel wire brush. Not sure all of those steps were necessary.

I think it all depends on how you want it to look when it's finished. Yours is in much better condition than his - it still has most of the paint and looks great - even if that paint isn't the original. Unless you want it to look like new, I'd be tempted to just get the glass out and wash it. Then wash the frame without disassembling - and rub the rusty areas gently with steel wool - removing the worst of the rust and fading the metal and paint together, preserving the patina. The overall effect should be brilliant and IMO more in keeping with the age of the lamp - rather than just painting it black.

Then if you still don't like how it looks, go the whole hog like the video guy.

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networkn

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#3356808 24-Mar-2025 08:56

I'll be interested to see how you get on with this. I can't offer any advice, but I do find these type of restorations quite cool. I utterly lack the patience for them though. I watch those videos and marvel at the fact half way through they don't mash the whole thing flat with a hammer :)

Bung

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#3356834 24-Mar-2025 10:01

If you paint it it could end up looking like a modern AliExpress reproduction. AFAIK the original would have been electroplated. Above the flame any paint wouldn't last very long. As I tell myself there's nothing wrong with looking old.

Goosey

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#3356883 24-Mar-2025 13:27

I sold one of these for $100 about 10 years ago… to an older gentleman in Wainoni ChCh who was a collector

David321

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#3356892 24-Mar-2025 14:08

Goosey:

I sold one of these for $100 about 10 years ago… to an older gentleman in Wainoni ChCh who was a collector

@Goosey If you have his details that would be awesome, thanks

_David_

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#3356926 24-Mar-2025 16:23

We used a rust converter paint on a couple exterior chairs and they came out a really nice semi dull grey a tad darker than your lamp. I think it would look really nice finishing it with that rather than black and would look closer to the original plus have protection. If you are interested I can see if I can find the brand name.

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#3357043 24-Mar-2025 20:52

It may have been blasted and primed at some stage.

Think carefully before you do anything unoriginal to it.

eracode

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#3368940 29-Apr-2025 20:10

@David321 What did you end up doing?

Sometimes I just sit and think. Other times I just sit.

David321

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#3369046 30-Apr-2025 07:09

@eracode - and any others who may be interested

I have recently finished it, I took the glass out and cleaned it up in the tub with warm water, a scouring pad and washing powder.

I then got the metal body vapour blasted and then gave it a few coats of a matte finish clear coat which claims to be rust resistant (rustoleum brand which is fairly reputable).

It was the only clear coat the claims to prevent rust, and also the only clear coat I could find with a matte finish (I didn't want the lantern all shiney).

My original plan was to paint it after vapour blasting, but I liked the look of the bare metal after blasting, I think it strikes a good balance between keeping its vintage look but also cleaning it up enough to have on display.

I also put a new wick in it from AliExpress, as the old one was stained and smelly from dirty kerosene.

_David_

eracode

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#3369047 30-Apr-2025 07:12

That looks totally brilliant - love the finish and appearance. So much better than painting. Great work.

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eracode

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#3369052 30-Apr-2025 07:27

Hadn't heard of vapour blasting so looked into it. In simple terms, blasting using water as the carrier rather than air. Very interesting.

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lachlanw

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#3369057 30-Apr-2025 08:13

"Hadn't heard of vapour blasting so looked into it. Very interesting."

This^^

Also amazing job, looks incredible

nedkelly

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#3369070 30-Apr-2025 08:50

David321:

@eracode - and any others who may be interested

I have recently finished it, I took the glass out and cleaned it up in the tub with warm water, a scouring pad and washing powder.

I then got the metal body vapour blasted and then gave it a few coats of a matte finish clear coat which claims to be rust resistant (rustoleum brand which is fairly reputable).

It was the only clear coat the claims to prevent rust, and also the only clear coat I could find with a matte finish (I didn't want the lantern all shiney).

My original plan was to paint it after vapour blasting, but I liked the look of the bare metal after blasting, I think it strikes a good balance between keeping its vintage look but also cleaning it up enough to have on display.

I also put a new wick in it from AliExpress, as the old one was stained and smelly from dirty kerosene.