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stair lights

strokeoluck | Posted in General Discussion on December 18, 2005 06:52am

All, I’ve attached a couple pics of some lights that were installed just above our stairs leading to our second floor. Although we put a lot of focus on the various details of our new home, these little stair lights weren’t one of them. We have two issues with the lights:

1) the face plate has a very “dated” appearance.

2) light “leaks” out from a few sides of the face plate. Our builder said it was due to the fact the electricians put them in after the walls had been mudded so they couldn’t gently set them in the mud like they usually do.

I’m wondering where we can buy some better looking face plates – the local HD doesn’t seem to have much to choose from. Also, how do we solve the “leaking” light problem even if we do get new plates? I don’t particularly want to re-mud the wall area around the plates.

Finally, our paint guy put some stain and varnish on the handrails. However there are some very fine bumps in the finish that I’d like to remove. What gauge of steel wool (?) should I use to take the bumps out?

Thanks all,

Rob

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Replies

  1. User avater
    razzman | Dec 18, 2005 07:14am | #1

     View ImageView Image

     

    'Nemo me impune lacesset'
    No one will provoke me with impunity

  2. User avater
    PeterJ | Dec 18, 2005 07:27am | #2

    Try a  little self adhesive weather strip around the perimeter of the cover plate. Unless it gets to warm that seems like it would solve the "leaking light. The "didn't get mudded in" sounds lame to me.

    Why not try 0000 steel wool first underneath rail and see if you like result. If more leveling is needed you could move down to 000 or 00. Could try a grey or red Scotchbrite as well.

    PJ

    Everything will be okay in the end.  If it's not okay, it's not the end. 

  3. IdahoDon | Dec 18, 2005 07:44am | #3

    For sealing light in, simply remove the plate, coat the back and sides with paste wax or even candle wax, place a small bead of painters caulk around the sheetrock opening and replace the cover.  The wax keeps the caulk from sticking to the plate so it can be easily replaced. 

    I like to seal the plates while touching up paint and actually run the bead next to the edge of the plate and carefully wipe off the excess caulk.  This also seals the small gaps that so often appear as dark spots during the day.  All around it helps the plate look better.

    I've never heard of someone actually setting the plates during the texture stage and that sounds like a white lie for someone who doesn't know how to fix the light leakage.

    If you find a source of good looking plates for these lights let us know.  I also think they look rather plain.  Since they are metal it's possible to have any number of spray finishes applied to them, or they can be polished and plated copper, chrome, gold, etc.

    As for the rough finish on the handrail, some 0000 steel wool or 2000 grit sand paper will remove the inevitable bumps that crop up from dust in the air settling on the surface.  This can also dull the finish a little if gloss was used, which doesn't effect the durability of the finish, but could be polished a bit to get the gloss back up.  The superfine sandpaper can often be found at Wal-Mart in the automotive touchup paint section.

    Happy holidays,

    Don

     

  4. Stuart | Dec 18, 2005 08:37pm | #4

    I'm not at work so I don't have access to my light fixture catalogs, but I know there are a number of companies selling similar products.  Instead of Home Depot, try to find a lighting showroom in your area; a place run by lighting professionals, that sells nothing but light fixtures, should be able to hook you up with something.  Also, do a Google search on 'step lighting', and you should find some possibilities.

    For the grilles you have now, I'd think you could make some rubber or foam gaskets that would seal off the light spilling out the edges.

  5. User avater
    jarhead | Dec 19, 2005 04:46am | #5

    IMO I would do as peterj suggested. Door weather stripping from the big boxes, place the adhesive side on the covers...... Later you can still replace the bulbs without any damage to whatever they are screwed to trying to remove the covers.

                                      Semper Fi

  6. 4Lorn1 | Dec 19, 2005 05:36am | #6

    Given a similar situation I have had good luck installing a high quality self-adhesive foam weather-stripping, EDPM I think it was, applied to the inside of the housing. Ring the plate a bit inside the perimeter. It won't make the cover plate fit any tighter but with care it shouldn't make it stand off more. Too thick or stiff a foam can hold it off a bit more so don't get too carried away getting to tall on the weather-stripping. Some of this depends on how stiff the cover is and how strong the mounting is.

  7. davidmeiland | Dec 19, 2005 08:42am | #7

    If you want to try different plates, you may be able to substitute trims from Focus Industries for their SL type stair lights. They have several different metal finishes, and lenses as well as louvers. Not available at HD as far as I know. A good electrical house can be far more useful on something like this than a box store.

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