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Let there be illumination, and may it come at minimal expense! Lamps are among the items that
the most frequently encountered things at secondhand shops
, and providing an old item with renewed use—as exterior lighting—is a smart, straightforward, and cost-effective undertaking that could have you enjoying your handiwork within mere hours of finishing it. This endeavor becomes all the more ideal if the light fixture itself is non-functional because then, you won’t have to worry about rewiring anything. With only minor adjustments, you can transform it into beautiful garden lights.
utilize a secondhand retro lamp for exterior illumination
Replace the socket-and-bulb setup with a solar garden light, place a shade on top that doesn’t cover the solar panel, and ensure it gets plenty of sunlight throughout the day. When evening comes around, your homemade lantern will emit a warm, inviting light for your outdoor retreat.
For this task, you will require a solar garden spike light, any table or floor lamp, paint, painter’s tape, scissors, sandpaper, along with either a hot glue gun or E600 adhesive. You can finish this project within about an hour. Ensure the lamp does not come with a shade; if necessary, find one without a harp or direct attachment to a regular bulb. Harps might be too slim for fitting around the broadness of a solar light, and clip-on shades would also prove incompatible. Additionally, steer clear from using plastic shades as they degrade under sun exposure.
Read more:
Ways to Decorate Your Space with 12 Popular Thrift Store Finds
Pathways to Achieving Solar Lighting Success
Begin by taking off the lampshade and bulb. Since this standalone outdoor light does not need a power source, remove the cord and plug, as they will not be necessary.
surprising methods for reusing power chords or wires at home
Prepare the lamp for a fresh coat of paint by removing any dust or dirt and roughening its surface with sandpaper. Mask off areas not intended for painting. Position the lamp on a covered surface in a space with good air circulation. In case you lack suitable spots for outside work, throw open your windows and place the lamp inside a big cardboard box when using spray paint. Apply several layers of paint to the lamp. Clay-based paints should adhere effectively even to challenging, previously coated surfaces.
As you wait for the paint to dry, take the solar light out of its base to figure out the optimal way it can attach to the lamp’s current fitting. According to YouTuber Eva Monroe, taking out the inner part of the lamp socket connected to the wire resulted in an ideal match with bigger solar lights. However, your attachment might vary and could necessitate some inventive troubleshooting.
After ensuring the paint has completely dried, attach the solar light to the lamp’s bulb socket using some hot glue, then cap it off with the shade. Place your creation in direct sunlight; when night falls, you’ll enjoy a luminous decorative piece.
a must-have for adding fun to your outdoor area
.
Prolong the Lifespan of Your Lamp
Any exterior decorative item can be damaged by wind, sunlight, and moisture. You can follow some measures to prolong the lifespan of your completed lamp. If you ultimately chose a plastic lampshade, applying multiple layers of UV-blocking spray both on the lamp and the shade may enhance its longevity. Using weather-proof spray paint on the shade might provide additional defense as well as introduce an extra touch of hue. Products such as
Krylon Fusion All-in-One Paint and Primer Spray Paint
is designed to adhere effectively to various surfaces and withstand environmental conditions.
Do keep in mind that none of these coatings is guaranteed to preserve decor that’s kept outdoors, so tucking your lamp away during storms and frosts, or removing the shade while charging the light are good ideas.
Inexpensive solar garden lights might seem appealing, yet often quality comes at a price. Avoid thinking of these items as throwaways. Proper care can extend their life significantly.
Make Dollar Tree solar lights endure for a longer time
Just replace the batteries once they no longer function instead of buying new lighting fixtures. Maintain cleanliness on your solar panels, and move them indoors during freezing weather conditions. Although this might seem like a cost-effective do-it-yourself project, extending the lifespan of your creations can help you save even more money in the long run.
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