Salvage Solar Lights

Teri.jeffrey
by Teri.jeffrey
6 Materials
$50
3
Easy
While decluttering my project space, I decided it was time to put these various pieces of salvage and scrap pieces to work.
With jack stands, reinforcing rod, various drilled wood pieces and Rustoleum spray paint, I decided that solar light stands wouldbe perfect.
Off to Lowe's to buy the solar lights to complete the materials that I would need. I always opt for 8x lumens as they shine brighter and longer. Next, I spray painted every piece except the solar lights with black spray paint followed by several coats of clear coat to protect them from the weather.
Then I placed the reinforcing rod through the jack stand, tightened in place with a nut & bolt and threaded the various wood pieces until I found the design that I liked best. Decided they needed a little "oomph" so added a touch of Gilder's Paste Wax to the edges.
Cut the solar light tubes in half to give them the right height and then positioned and glued them on reinforcing rod.
Charged solar light pieces and they're ready for my patio.
Suggested materials:
  • Jack stands   (salvage pieces)
  • Drilled wooden pieces   (scrap project wood)
  • Reinforcing rod, nuts & bolts   (Lowe's)
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Frequently asked questions
Have a question about this project?
3 of 6 questions
  • Lorraine Lorraine on Apr 20, 2017

    I was wondering where do u buy jack stands and how much do they cost?

  • Anneliese Clear Anneliese Clear on May 08, 2017

    I have had solar path lights in my garden, and they lose their brightness over time. I think mine lasted about two years before they stopped lighting up at all. If you glue the solar light base to the rod, how do you go about switching out the lighting element when it goes bad without destroying the whole thing?

  • Val Schierman Val Schierman on May 23, 2017

    Can you please explain better how you attach the reinforcing rod to the nut and bolt?

Comments
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2 of 41 comments
  • Dee Dee on Mar 23, 2019

    Very nice!

  • Shelly Moore Shelly Moore on Apr 10, 2019

    Paint the solar panels only with clear nail polish. Here our water has minerals that makes everything cloudy with buildup. I also just replace the batteries when needed. Easy ☺

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