I’ve been asked to refurbish a chandelier! Anyone ever done this? It is filthy, can I put it into the dishwasher? After all, it’s only glass and metal isn’t it.

And then what? Work out what’s missing, get replacement bits, wire it all back together…?

I’m dead keen to do it but don’t want to mess it up.

Sorry but it’s probably best to get it out of the way now…

Just beaten too it

😀

I really set myself up for that didn’t I? Oh well, as you said, at least it is out of the way now 😉

Just one more turn DelBoy……

I’d check on any adhesives used before using a dishwasher.

I think I have read that using a dishwasher is recommended – not tried it myself.
Might be best to avoid normal dishwasher detergents; I think they are quite strongly alkali.
Dartington Crystal suggest using a low temperature program and Finish detergent:
Dartington Crystal caring for glassware link
I don’t know how alkali Finish detergent is, but warm alkalis will corrode aluminium, zinc alloys, and increase chances of corrosion if you have two different metals in contact.
Perhaps like it says on many clothes washing instructions, it would be best to test on a small inconspicuous part first.

I wouldn’t put it anywhere near the dishwasher if there’s any chance that it’s crystal glass – there’s a high risk that the detergent could etch the surface and turn it hazy. Soap & warm water would be safer. It may need to be rinsed well and possibly dried with a soft cloth to avoid water staining too.

(A lot of commercial ‘crystal’ glasses don’t contain much lead oxide. Decent crystal glasses are 30%+ lead oxide and are much more sensitive to alkali attack. The chandelier glass *could* be even higher lead content.)

If you go to a lighting shop you can buy cans of chandelier cleaner, its good stuff, you can just leave the chandelier in place and spray the stuff on from underneath and it takes the dirt off onto your dust/ polythene sheet below.

I learnt the best way to do it above after taking one down to clean it by hand and forgetting how it went together again. A 2 hour job turned into a 2 day job at my expense 🙂

They filmed that scene for fools and horses on location rather than a studio and had the original chandelier replaced with a replica for the scene. The director informed them in no uncertain terms they must not laugh during the take as they only had one shot at it due to the replica costing a lot more to have made than the original was worth.