Repair Don't Replace -- A Rusty Light Fixture!
Remember when I thrifted this bathroom light fixture for $2.99 back in 2014? Here's a reminder:
Twelve years in my steamy bathroom has not been kind to her. I notice this light fixture every day when I step out of the shower and my thoughts go a little something like this:
"I need to do something about that rusty light, maybe find a new 'used' replacement, or even replace the horizontal pieces, or I guess I could find some silver spray paint?" And then I completely forget about it until my next shower.
Seriously not the focal point I want to project.
Somehow today was the day to do something about it, as it occurred to me that I could at least attempt to scrub off some of the superficial rust using Barkeeper's Friend and an S.O.S. pad. I'm a fan of starting any project with whatever's easiest and happen to have on hand.
None of it came off quickly or easily, but I had a good audiobook for distraction and in the end it looks a hell of a lot better. Is it perfect? No, but it no longer draws the eye and would be a perfect before and after post for my imaginary "Inoffensive Decorator" blog.
My bathroom looks better, I spent zero dollars and that revolting Schmeff Schmezos guy didn't get any richer.
I'll take the win.
Katy Wolk-Stanley
"Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without."
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Well done! Spent nothing and just used a little elbow grease and a little time!
Another victory for Katy, elbow grease, and Bar Keeper's Friend! And, as usual, loud cheers for not contributing to Schmeff's obscene lifestyle.
Hope you are feeling better! Have been concerned for you. You are a vital part of my 'focus on what makes the world a better place not things outside my actionable reach' sanity program. Thank you for making the world better place and sharing your wins with us.
I feel the same about Katy and this sacred space!
Thank you, I'm feeling mostly better. Not my normal energy and a mild sore throat which is a huge improvement.
Good. Do not push self. NO relapses wanted. Want to keep reading THIS Katy.
Oooh, I have a somewhat rusted bathroom light fixture that I need to try this on! Thanks for the tip.
Well done!
I have a similar fixture with similar problems and clean it with crumpled foil, a bit of water, and elbow grease. It works surprisingly well!
I wonder how much the light fixture would cost in today’s Goodwill dollars?
Thanks for giving me something other than the news to read this morning.
I thought about that crumpled foil method afterwards and will try that on my next rusty metal project.
Adding my thanks for this space of good news and creative thinking.
I would admire the spiffed up fixture every time I saw it. Those things give me great joy.
Today I gave encouragement, and some practical resources, to a mom of a deployed service member.
That's very kind of you to reach out to a military mother.
I'm also a military mother. We need each other.
I called my US representative on my free 5 calls app to oppose HR 7661 that remove LBQT books. Rather than going criminalizing pedophiles in the Epstein files they are attacking my right to read what I choose to read in libraries.
An excellent use of your free will!
Great job Katy. Good enough is good enough!
I was thrilled when DH fixed our microwave last week. It didn't cost anything, we didn't send an item to the landfill, and we didn't have to spend time and money buying and installing a new one.
I love that journey for you!
School got cancelled today due to icy road conditions, so I stayed put and spent $ZERO. Yeah, a kink in my paycheck 2 weeks from now, but the Federal Refund is supposed to hit the bank next week, so that will help.
Making a lap robe and a walker pouch with leftover yarn I have. Entertainment for me (along with some music on the radio). Completed projects will benefit someone somewhere down the road. Also will get the yarn out of the house.
Made dinner Sunday and my husband and I took it up to his sister's and had dinner with his sister and her daughter. My SIL has dementia and her mind is going FAST. We wanted to spend some time with her before her mind is completely gone. She knew who we were while were there; however, our niece said her mom asked her "who those people were that came to visit" right after we left. So sad.
Let the leftovers with them and saved our niece from having to cook for a couple of days. Had more chicken and a ham both thawed out. Chicken went in the crock pot and will be used for soup. Threw the ham in the oven. Had some for dinner tonight. The rest will be used for sandwiches, and ham & string beans for DH. I like string beans, I like potatoes, but I'm not a huge fan of ham, so DH is the one who eats most of it. I had plenty of ham (for me) for dinner tonight, about 3 oz. I can go another 6-9 months without eating ham and be quite ok with that.
I have a light fixture like that in a rental and it rusted too. I took steel wool to it and then painted it with rust-o-leum flat black that I had picked up at an estate sale. My renter (daughter) loved its farm housey makeover.
Here's a Fun Fact: schmezos makes $1.7 B per day. Shudder.
You are the make do Queen!
Great job! In the future, when removing rust remember chemistry: Rust is an acid. Vinegar is an acid. Two acids make a base. I used nothing but vinegar and a microfiber clothe to remove rust off my van's battery mount then I bought this stuff from a local "Warehouse Battery Outlet" (sell batteries for your house, cars, boat, heavy equipment, etc) and bought a small spray can of "never rust" or something. Forget the exact name. I did use the vinegar a several times to get all the stuff off because it was really bad, but it's better than buying a new mount and installing it.
Just to clarify, Two acids do not combine to make a base
- if you mix a Base (baking soda, for example) and an acid (vinegar, for example), depending on concentrations, you may end up with neutral PH,
- but mixing two acids (low PH) won't get you to neutral or basic.
(my son is a chemistry doctoral candidate, I have more half-remembered facts about chemistry running through my head than any sane 65 year old should have)
Much better!
Most of the original utility lighting in our house has multiple layers of paint on it - I'm pretty sure generations of past residents have scrubbed off rust, then given up and just kept painting. At some point I'll take it all apart to strip.