Can you lightly spray paint a "spaghetti lamp"?

The plastic spaghetti's have yellowed a bit on mine (actually my mother's). Know it would ruin the antique value but wonder if enough light would still come thru the holes. Any thoughts?
Here it is. Should be white. But doesn't look awful. Thinking of brightening it up a little
  12 answers
  • Duv310660 Duv310660 on Apr 03, 2015
    well, any hardware-type of spray paint is going to leave pigments that will block light... what if you took it down and soaked it in a good cleaner (you'd have to do this anyway before spraying). Head down to your local artstore and ask what transparent paint they have for plastic... or what about a coloured light bulb??
    • Sharbearpaintperson Sharbearpaintperson on Apr 12, 2015
      @Duval.26 Good response. Make sure to rinse and get any cleaning residue, washed off, before painting. TSP, a couple of spoonfuls in warm water, after taking light apart, then soak light fixture, for ten minutes, before checking, to see results before, considering painting.
  • Lori Lori on Apr 03, 2015
    I was going to suggest the same thing, spray with a heavy duty cleaner, soak and dry, but if that doesn't help, then what about using a dry brush method of painting? You may have to do it in stages. That way you can control the thickness, with no runs like spraying. Just a thought.
  • Betty Sides Betty Sides on Apr 03, 2015
    I haven't seen one of those lamps in years! Love it!
  • Saskalily Saskalily on Apr 06, 2015
    OMG PLEASE Don't use paint! or a anything that will scratch the plastic. Test cleaners well first so that they do not etch the plastic. Even a transparent 'paint' will just add colour over top of the 'yellow' and seal it in if you do not try to clean it first with gentle cleaners. If it is not cleaning up the way you would like, please sell it to someone who can live with it and appreciate it. It is a fantastic shape for these lights, I wish I did not live so far away.
  • Danee Kaplan Danee Kaplan on Apr 07, 2015
    I am wondering about using Oxyclean. I would test an area first. Hello from SouthWest Michigan Kzoo area.
  • Lori T Lori T on Apr 09, 2015
    Take some vinegar to it. see if that brightens it up.
  • Gloria tulip Gloria tulip on Apr 12, 2015
    Spray a heavy coat of window cleaner on it. Put a towel under it and let it drip. Most of the dirt will come off and then you can finish by hand using a damp cloth with cleaner on it. One can clean crystal fixtures the same way and they turn out beautifully.
  • Susie Susie on Apr 12, 2015
    Please don't paint it - its so beautiful...hope you can clean it up. Also no-one has mentioned but I wonder if paint near a lamp-bulb is safe - getting hot maybe will give off fumes...I could be mistaken...
  • Lorre Hopkins Lorre Hopkins on Apr 12, 2015
    I would think being a little yellow would add to the antique charm.
  • It seems to be okay as it hangs now. Sometimes it looks a bit yellowed but probably no one else would even notice it. Looks great when lit and I really go like it. Thanks to everyone for your comments!
  • Gloria tulip Gloria tulip on Jul 04, 2015
    A friend of mine were discussing how using gas in the house; e.g. for cooking and heating, will turn appliances and other things in the house yellow. Sometimes very difficult to remove. We both had noticed the fan casing over the stovetop and microwave had turned a light yellow, from white. This could be the discoloration on your light fixture.
  • Wanda sinnema Wanda sinnema on Oct 28, 2015
    My guess its yellowed because of age and the usual dusty grime that settles on such things..I'd try also a can of compressed air to blow as much off prior to cleaning with a good spray cleaner.. this may sound strange,, but I've found DOW BATHROOM CLEANER (foaming bubbles areosol) is an amazing overall household cleaner..The bubbles seem to lift dirt off. brush with a stiff brush and rinse with spray bottle of water..