Repairing lamp shades

Question

My lamp shades are cracking on the inside. What can I use to repair them?I love these lamps. The material on the inside is vinyl that probably cracked from the heat of the light bulbs inside. The outside of the lamp is lined in silver string all around the lamp. So, if I take the inside vinyl off, shinny silver string will show threw the outside along with the inside of the lamp. What type of fireproof material can I use to line the inside of the lamp? The lamps are more on the delicate side. Appreciate advice.

Gabrielle Falk · Answer

I'm TOTALLY hopeless at sewing, but if you are like me, why not try a business like an upholsterer??  Some businesses that do curtains, etc. might also do lamp shades. To match curtains, bedspreads etc.. I'd probably have to buy new shades that's how hopeless I am. My husband is better than I at sewing. Good luck.

Deanna Nassar · Answer

Not sure but Flex Seal might work.  It's spray-on or paint-on rubber material.  A thin coat on the inside should seal the cracks and I doubt it would burn.  Never tried it but it sounds like it would fix it.

Dolores DeLuise · Answer

Hi Debbie, This sounds difficult.  I think that if you posted a picture, it would be helpful to potential members who could help.  The relationship between the silver string and the vinyl is not clear.  Are they on the lampshade?  :)

Lin8589843 · Answer

Hello! Depending on how handy you are with sewing, you may be able to replace the lining with a white nylon fabric. Carefully cut out the lining and make a template from it, then use the template as a pattern and cut out a new one, and sew it together. Then you an either hand-sew it back onto the shade frame, or use a glue gun. Make sure when you do remove the lining that there will be enough fabric edge left on the shade to sew or glue the new lining to. If there's an exposed edge, you can always get a skinny gimp trim and hot glue it over the raw area. :) Good luck!

Bernadette Staal · Answer

I know you love these lamp shades but I had a similar incident and when I went out to look at lamp shades, I feel in love with a very beautiful one and at the end of the day I think it looks 100 time better than the old one.  So don't be put off by the idea of getting a new shade.  Have a look around (and if required wait for a sale).

Debbie Kuhar · Answer

keeping the shares, they are part of the statement which I try to make in my living room. Going to hit a craft store over the week-end. I am going to have to upload a picture.

Debbie Kuhar · Answer

Not a bad idea. I am going to check into one of my craft stores first. See what they recommend. Thank you for your time.

Debbie Kuhar · Answer

Good idea, but would have to read instructions on back of can to see if it will take the heat from the light bulbs.

Kari Roberts · Answer

Also get the LED bulbs they don't get hot. They also don't have the dangerous mercury gases when they break. They are plenty bright too.

C · Answer

I had cloth covered plastic shades of an odd small size for my RV. The dog knocked one and melted the plastic. When I priced them at $25 each, I decided to try to make my own. Of course I required new plastic but Goodwil took care of that with a large plastic shade for just $4. I took the metal rings (top & bottom) off my old shade. Cut the plastic from the large shade to fit and used 6000 glue to adhere it to the rings. I then took the old fabric and glued it to the plastic finishing with glueing the edging on the top and bottom to cover any raw edges and make the shade look finished. Saved $20 on each shade.

Debbie Kuhar · Answer

Cloth covered plastic?   And if the plastic melted, Not a good idea, these are two way bulbs,   I am going to check with my craft stores this weekend. If they cannot help me, I will got to goodwill and purchase larger shades and cut them up to fit.
Thank you.

Debbie Kuhar · Answer

I had the mercury bulbs in these lamps.  But the damage is already done, but I will change bulbs. Thanks

C · Answer

If you look in the stores at the cloth pleated shades, you will see that they are over a plastic base.

Debbie Kuhar · Answer

I am not talking about the outside plastic film on the lamp shade, I am talking about the inside.

Carol · Answer

I have the exact string lamp and last nite cleaning it the inner plastic liner start cracking horribly. It looks a mess cause you can see thru the metal strings. Can you share what you did thank you

Debbie Kuhar · Answer

Sorry ladies, took pictures, but they would not load. I appreciate your thoughts

48511350 · Answer

Hi Debbie, I know this was last year but was searching as I have the same problem. Did you find a solution? I've not yet removed the cracked inner plastic so thinking if I can buy some kind of fire retardant material I could glue it inside. Any ideas? Thanks

Carol · Answer

I just come across your pos looking for help. I also have a string shade an cracking everywhere. Did you find any help? Someone told me parchment paper may work. Cause it’s used in the oven. I did not take plastic off yet cause how it looks without. I scotch taped it. Please help if you have any advice TY

Mandy · Answer

Hi Carol...my husband knocked my lovely lamp over and cracked the inside plastic too...nothing wrong with the outside fabric and I love it so much as it goes perfectly in my lounge.

Desperately would love to repair the inside in a safe way.

Anyone's idea's would be greatly appreciated

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