Rehabilitating Your Light Post?

By Tony Adamcik

 

Does your light post look tired and weather beaten?  Probably “YES!” from being sun baked, having hard water stains, and peeling paint.  You can restore the light post yourself using just a few simple tools, an approved paint, and a little patience.

 

TOOLS:

A)    Philips and flat head screwdrivers

B)    Small ¼ inch open end wrench or small crescent wrench

C)    Small pair of pliers.

MATERIALS:

A)    Masking or painters tape

B)    Recommend having some WD-40 available if the screws are tight or rusty

C)    Can of RUST-OLEUM Satin Black Spray paint (classic low-sheen finish that is ideal for furniture, fixtures, and outdoor décor while stopping rust).  This spray paint is available at either Home Depot or Lowes and has been approved by the Roseheart Board of Directors.

D)    Wire brush

E)    Large piece of cardboard and/or newspaper

F)     Cleaning solutions (vinegar, soapy water)

 

Recommend at least half a day for the job to allow the paint to properly dry.

 

STEPS:

  1. Remove any possible electrical power from the light post.  To do this, locate the appropriate circuit breaker in the electrical panel and remove power.  If the applicable circuit breaker is not marked, you may have to accomplish some trial and error one evening when your light post is lighted.
  2. Remove the two screws holding the top portion of the light post fixture.  Remove the top portion with the six small glass pieces.
  3. Remove the light bulb.
  4. Loosen the screws that hold the larger portion of the light fixture onto the top of the light post.
  5. (Again, be sure electrical power is off.) As you lift the light fixture off the post, you will notice three wires (one black, one white, and one ground) connected with wire nuts.  Disconnect the wires and put the wire nuts aside.  If you can’t remove wire nuts, cut the wires near the wire nuts.  However, make sure you have replacement wire nuts (note wire nut color).
  6. Take top and bottom portion of light fixture to a work area.
  7. Turn over top portion of light fixture and remove the small nuts holding the top portion glass in place (apply WD-40 to the nuts if needed).
  8. Carefully remove the pieces of glass (you may have to slightly loosen screws on the other end to remove glass).  Place the pieces of glass in a vinegar solution to remove hard water stains.
  9. Remove the screws holding the frame over the larger six pieces of glass.  Remove the metal frame and carefully remove the glass.  As with the other pieces of glass, place them in a vinegar solution to clean.
  10. Clean the light fixture (top and bottom), which may include peeling paint, with a wire brush.  Then recommend using a soapy solution to finalize the cleaning process.

 

NOTE:  If you do not want to remove the glass from the fixture, clean the glass while in the light fixture with a cleaning solution.  Then, carefully tape over the glass to prevent getting spray paint on it.

 

  1. Clean the metal pole in the flower bed with the wire brush and soapy water solution.
  2. Tape over the electrical box on the pole and the front of the numbers on the pole (especially the gold coloring).
  3. Place newspaper or cardboard in a well-ventilated area (but not windy conditions) for spray painting the top and bottom portions of the light fixture.  Recommend using light, even strokes to prevent the paint from running.  You may have to carefully turn pieces over when they are dry to touch in order to properly paint all sides.  Apply a second coat of paint, if needed.
  4. With a piece of cardboard to protect from over-spraying the plants in the flower bed, lightly spray the fixed light pole to avoid the paint from running.  Apply a second coat of spray paint as needed.
  5. With a thoroughly dry light fixture, carefully put the glass back in the top portion.  Place the holder over the six posts sticking up.  With the frame in place, lightly screw on a nut on each post.  Tighten the nuts appropriately.
  6. Next, carefully place the larger pieces of glass back into the lower portion of the light fixture.  Place the frame in place (note there is a top and bottom way for the frame).  Slowly, attach the screws and tighten.
  7. Connect the three wires in the bottom portion of the light fixture with those in the light pole (black with black, white with white, and ground with ground) with the associated wire nuts.
  8. Place the bottom portion of the light fixture onto the pole and tighten the three screws.
  9. Place the light bulb back in place. (Note:  Using a low wattage CFL bulb in this outside light fixture will save energy and last much longer than a normal filament bulb.)
  10. Put the top portion of the light fixture back on and tighten with the remaining two screws.
  11. Remove all tape from light pole and/or light fixture.
  12. Finally, turn the circuit breaker back on.  Ensure power is on by checking the light pole (when sensor is activated) when it gets dark that evening.

 

Enjoy your rehabilitated light pole!