Asked on Aug 21, 2016

Redoing a lamp shade

Debbie Kuhar
by Debbie Kuhar
OK, ladies, finally got my digital camera back. You cannot tell from the picture of the shade, but it is beautiful. The shade itself has a very delicate, silver string that is wrapped around the entire shade. The other two enclosed picture us the inside of the lamp. Cracking & splitting. If I would take the inner shell of the lamp pff altogether you would see the light bulb, the on off switch throw this string. I would like to know if there is anything I could cover the inside of these lamps with? I looked at white duck tape today & just wondered if that would work. Any suggestions on how I can repair the inner shell of this lamp? I do not want to put any fancy material around the inside because it would be too close to the bulb, and it probably has to be fireproof. Any suggestions would be appreciated
  21 answers
  • San9359010 San9359010 on Aug 21, 2016
    Any tape will show thru. I'm sorry, I really have no ideas that don't involve removing the broken inner shield. Good luck!
  • Bernadette Staal Bernadette Staal on Aug 21, 2016
    I would still remove the internal lining. Perhaps you can purchase a fancy light bulb that will look lovely through the shade and the remaining thread would then throw light around the room - it could be stunning. Alternatively you could seek advice from a lighting store or a furniture upholsterer.
  • Tris Smith Tris Smith on Aug 21, 2016
    What about a white shelve liner that is rubbery. Or, see if you can find plastic craft paper.
  • Angelique McCoy Angelique McCoy on Aug 21, 2016
    I would try to find a white sheer curtain(not lace though) and attach it with some hot glue. If your careful and meticulous it should work out fine. Plus most drapery panels are fire retardant. Plus Plus if you can find one made of nylon (instead of polyester or any other synthetic) you can dye it to coordinate with your decor, all you need is some food coloring and a little vinegar. just like coloring easter eggs!
  • B J  Alexis B J Alexis on Aug 21, 2016
    If the inside is plastic as it appears to be, try heating a knife over a stove burner and see if the heat will seal the cracks. Might be worth a try on a small area to test if it works.
  • Leslie Leslie on Aug 21, 2016
    The cracking and breaking of the inside shade liner is due to the use of regular light bulbs and the heat they throw off. If you Google "lampshade liner material" you will get many hits for this product. Remove the old liner and replace with the new and change your incandescent lightbulbs to the newer LED or CFL spiral light bulbs.
  • Johnchip Johnchip on Aug 21, 2016
    The lining is shot. Taping is not an answer. DIY lining it is a very delicate job. If the shade is of importance to you, I would invest and have it done professionally. It should cost you $50-$75 at most. Cost to buy DIY supplies and shipping, $25.
  • IFortuna IFortuna on Aug 21, 2016
    Parchment paper may work. After all, it is used in ovens at high temps. I am not sure how durable it would be though. Let us know if you try it. : )
  • Marilyn Zaruba Marilyn Zaruba on Aug 21, 2016
    I like the parchment paper idea, but would you like to go a bit further with it and see if you could just glue the cracks and add faux cracks with glue so it will look like it has a marbelized liner. It's a beautiful shade and I understand you wanting to save it, but I bet you are the only one who knows it is cracked at all. I think it looks fine.
    • Debbie Kuhar Debbie Kuhar on Aug 22, 2016
      if I used glue, it would possibly screw up the outside of t he lamp. It's fine, delicate string & it may make some of the string stick together. Thank you
  • Suellen Hintz Suellen Hintz on Aug 21, 2016
    Remove all of the plastic liner and use one of the pretty light bulbs that are now available, or use a low watt regular bulb. Also, you could use led bulb. I recommend low wattage so it's not uncomfortable to look at the lamp in a dark room. Love the silver wire but has it been terrible avoiding bends...lol.
  • Jennie Lee Jennie Lee on Aug 21, 2016
    I would not worry that much about paper. Paper burns at 451 degrees F. Just use LED bulbs from now on.
  • Zis10371624 Zis10371624 on Aug 21, 2016
    Yes, indeed you need the right material/ paper to line a lamp. Buy the best match possible. Outside of the lamp shade you have vertical metal around the shade as a décor, You then only have to replace the lining from metal to metal where the damage is, you don't have to change the entire lining. Good Luck
  • Samara S Samara S on Aug 22, 2016
    when i was a kid i made balsa wood and tissue airplanes. i would make the frame of the plane from the balsa then glue tissue to it. after that dried, i would spritz the tissue with water and it would shrink into place. you could use this method on your lamp's interior. glue the tissue to the frame and then spritz it with water, maybe with a little modge podge or elmers added to cut down on the danger of heat exposure. just a thought.
  • Debbie Kuhar Debbie Kuhar on Aug 22, 2016
    Thank you
  • Debbie Kuhar Debbie Kuhar on Aug 22, 2016
    thank you very much
  • Debbie Kuhar Debbie Kuhar on Aug 22, 2016
    Thank you, vinal not plastic.
  • Debbie Kuhar Debbie Kuhar on Aug 22, 2016
    Thank you for your time.
  • Tonia Tonia on Aug 22, 2016
    I wonder if you could glue parchment paper on the inside of the shade. You wouldn't have to worry about the heat. I would hold some up to a light to see if it is transparent enough for your liking.
  • Debbie Kuhar Debbie Kuhar on Aug 23, 2016
    Excellent idea, thank you for your kindness.
  • Gail Carlson Zaverdinos Gail Carlson Zaverdinos on Feb 07, 2017

    I would buy a new shade. Salvation Army, goodwill. take the lamp with you.

  • Debbie Kuhar Debbie Kuhar on Mar 12, 2018

    Picture of shade is above. I tore out the inner liner. Now the shade, picture just silver string on the shade with being able to see the light bulb.