What chandelier repair and antique lighting restoration services do you offer at Fritz Fryer?
For a full list of all our services please see our chandelier restoration and antique lighting restoration page.
Does my antique light fitting need to be rewired?
If you're asking the question, the answer is probably yes! No antique fittings should be sold with wiring intact unless newly rewired and certified as PAT tested. Generally auction houses and retailers will (or at least should) remove wiring if it does not meet current electrical standards. If you are uncertain it should always be checked with a qualified electrician before installation.
Can my antique brass chandelier be restored?
Almost certainly. The majority of antique light fittings were made from cast brass which is incredibly good to work with. However poor the condition of the fitting, if it is made of brass, it is amazing what can be done. The exception is when a fitting is actually made from spelter which is much harder to restore and may not be cost effective. The best way to assess the likely cost of repair is to email us photos of the light.
Can my antique crystal chandelier be restored?
Probably! Most damage to a crystal chandelier is repairable, but it is a very specialist job and it is a question of whether the value of the chandelier justifies the expense of the repair or restoration. The best way to assess this is to email us photos of the fitting - as detailed as possible, with dimensions.
What’s the hardest item to restore?
Crystal chandeliers are the most complex and time consuming in many ways. There are so many little bits! Taking a chandelier to pieces, rewiring it and then rebuilding it is extremely specialist and not a task to be undertaken lightly.
How do I clean my crystal chandelier?
General chandelier cleaning is quite simple, some glass cleaner, a dry cloth and some time will restore the sparkle to a crystal chandelier. The only way to give a chandelier a really deep clean (if it is smoke damaged or extremely dirty), is to remove it from the ceiling, dismantle it, clean it and rebuild it. This is a very complex task and should be performed by someone with specialist knowledge. If you email us photos of your chandelier we can give you an estimate of the costs involved.
How should I clean a brass electrolier?
A good polish, using elbow grease and not household cleaners, is best for a brass chandelier which is not too tarnished. However a tarnished metal chandelier can be complicated. Household brass cleaners will leave an ugly residue and may damage lacquer and worn silver plate requires specialist restoration.
What should I look out for when buying antique lighting?
An antique light fitting may seem cheap at a fair or auction, but remember full restoration is time consuming and complex and will often cost as much or more as you pay for the fitting. Be wary of chandeliers described as vintage or antique which aren't as old as they claim to be. They can be almost impossible to restore; thin hollow tubular arms which are braised to the body of the fitting cannot be removed for rewiring or cleaning. Check the weight of any metal fittings, cast brass is heavy! On a crystal chandelier, check the quality of the crystal droppers; high quality cut crystal may be simple but is prismatically perfect and has a wonderful ring to it when it jingles!