COLORING ELECTRIC LAMPS.
Where colored effects are desired the incandescent lamp globes may be tinted to throw distinct or combined colorings over the entire display.
There are several preparations that answer the purpose, and indeed are best at times. Pikron for glass is excellent, or a lacquer will answer. However, they sometimes become spotted from the heat.
Another and better method is by using white shellac, thinned down with wood alcohol, and by dipping the globe this produces a splendid imitation of ground glass when a white light is needed.
If you wish to use purple, green, blue, etc., or any of the more delicate tints, such as violet, buy five cents’ worth of aniline dye of the color you wish; dissolve it in wood alcohol and pour it into the shellac, taking care the shellac is quite thin, as otherwise it will not cover evenly.
DESIGN SHOWING PANORAMIC EFFECTS.—Sawyer.
By using these or any other transparent coloring a vast number of beautiful tints can be made that will blend perfectly with your color scheme. Another excellent coloring is egg dye, treated in the same way.
Now I will explain how to go about it. After preparing your shellac pour it into a vessel deep enough to immerse your lamp.
Take a piece of wire, and fasten it around the socket end of lamp; then bring one end of the wire back over the end, and fasten to opposite side to form a loop to hang it up to drip and dry.
This done, dip lamp in the coloring and hang it up, so it will dry evenly, when it will be found to be beautifully frosted.
When mixing your color, bear in mind the more dye and the less shellac the deeper your tint will be, and vice versa.
This method will apply to all colors except a deep red or deep yellow, when I recommend the other colorings I have mentioned, any of which can be removed with wood alcohol.