How to clean the old kerosene out of your lamp easily

I like the shape of your lamps and the Green lamp is such a pretty color.

I was told by a old timer to add vinegar to the Lye solution after it has cleaned the fount out, it will make the Lye neutral and safe to the skin or other metal's.

I have found that lacquer thinner easily and quickly dissolves kerosene residue. I put a relatively small amount in, then swirl it around a number of times about one hour between each swirling. To prevent evaporation, I cover the burner thread area with the metal lid from a glass jar that fits nicely. Then I rinse it out with warm water if you use a lot of lacquer thinner, you can dispose of it by putting it on the dirt outside where is simply evaporates into the air, although it will be more environmentally correct to dispose of it as a hazardous material. But I only use a couple ounces. I finish cleaning with Dawn and warm water using a bottle brush.

In English this is called Caustic Soda (NaOH) I think. Thanks for showing. I recently bought a old oil lamp in 20''' Matador style. Very nicely burning due to the slightly narrower glass chimney. But initial burning caused quite some smell. I guess from old dried up and degraded kerosene. Cleaning like this will avoid this smell I think.

Beautiful lamps

I'm lazy, I put them in my sonic cleaner and 10 min all nice and clean. I repair antique clocks, so when the solution needs to be changed all the lamps go in.

CLR is good for brass, soak with 50/50 water mixture, also citrus acid "Iron Out" used for water softeners works also, mix with water and soak.

I use hot tap water and denture cleaners on my lamps. It's worked well on all of them but one....that one my husband took to the garage and cleaned it for me. I also stay away from strong odors, they take my breath away, just can't stand them.

Dave can you do a video on soldering and how to fix split brass collars on center draft burner basket and gallery parts. I want to solder the metal splits but I’m not sure what solders are acceptable to use in high heat area.. thanks

I used Mean Green, had to let it sit overnight but it worked great.

I just soak my stuff over night in lemon juice or a citric acid bath, and the crud and stain disappear over night and rinses right out.

How do you dispose of lye water?

Good tip, been working on one on and off with not much progress. Mineral spirits didn't seem to be strong enough and my next run at it was going to be muriatic acid, probably not a good choice. Is there an email address to contact you by? Looking for a couple burners for my Aladdin lamps that are not up and running yet. I'm assuming you sell parts? Thanks

Today at Wal-Mart I got 100% Lye Crystals and bar keepers friend wich is hard to find in my area, I'm happy!.

I use iron out and hot water.

I have a gone with the wind lamp, and I'm trying to revert it back to oil. I'm at cleaning the font out, but there's a pot metal screw on section that holds a screw that attaches to the metal feet. Wouldn't the lye be too caustic for the metal?

Do you have a bunch of old gunked up wicks I could buy off of you? I want to do some chemical testing to determine the best solvent for cleaning aladdin wicks while preserving the wick's inner backing and preventing fraying.

Are the green moon stone and green alacite font style lamps desirable?

Hello sir. I just recently acquired an alladin style nickel center draft oil lamp. I've always wanted one but noticed the flame spreader top is missing. It's not actually an alladin, it says new vestal E.M. co. Can you give me advice on replacing the spreader. Do spreaders from other lamps fit?

I like the idea of Lye Crystals, works fast, hope wal-mart or Lowe's has it.