How many RetouchPROs to change a lightbulb?

Doug Nelson · #1 01-20-2008, 08:31 PM

After watching decades of This Old House and other various DIY shows, I must hang my head and admit my secret shame: I'm DIY impaired. I've hidden my secret by renting for years, but now we're in a new house (well, a different house) and the kitchen blew a lightbulb and I can't for the life of me figure out how to get at it to change it.

Attached is a snapshot of the offending unit. There are no screws, and no scuffmarks to imply previous prying. Twisting and pulling won't budge it, though I'll admit to not trying too terribly hard (I've managed to budge things that weren't designed to be budged that way before).

So, does anyone have a similar fixture? How can I safely remove this intact? (a hammer is plan B)

Littlecoo · #2 01-21-2008, 02:15 AM

You have already tried to twist (screw) it off I suppose (in an anticlockwise direction and all) the metal rim on it looks like it might screw on/off a ceiling mount-I've had older fittings with glass diffusers that were like that ....but, my husband seems sure that the diffuser (middle bit) may be merely held by spring clips and should just pull out with a firm tug... if it has been there awhile it maybe just stubborn. Plan B is a good solution too Mwhahaha!

Ant · #3 01-21-2008, 06:18 AM

I have that one. Twist the frosted glass dome counterclockwise. You may have to twist the metal portion opposite to loosen the fixtures tension from the ceiling. It once took me a bit too.

Dave.Cox · #4 01-21-2008, 07:03 AM

Sometimes those domes can stick a bit, and be hard to grasp. If you have one of those round rubber temporary sink stoppers, you can use that to provide the extra friction needed to turn the dome. Just hold if flat against the dome, and use the palm of your hand and your fingers to turn.

cardmnal · #5 01-21-2008, 08:23 AM

I like plan B. If that doesn't work try plan C...get a bigger hammer!

Alan

Doug Nelson · #6 01-21-2008, 03:27 PM

So, with the consensus here being a counterclockwise turn of the glass housing, and while assuring myself that horizontal slashes are a notoriously unreliable way to die, along with repeated chanting that hurling myself off the 2nd ladder rung wouldn't hurt that bad, I gritted my teeth and herked the housing to the left. It turns out to be a progressive-ramp bayonet mount, so that the further you turn it the tighter it holds. More interestingly, the previous homeowner appears to have been a gorilla.

So the correct answer is 5.

I can see again in my kitchen, thank you all.

superkoax · #7 01-21-2008, 03:51 PM

lol, the best salon thread in my short history on RetouchPRO! good that everything came trough! may the light be with you!

Even ant has an answer for this too! jeez, isn't it anything this man CAN'T do?

Dave.Cox · #8 01-21-2008, 05:18 PM

We will just have to dub him, Super-Ant.

Ant · #9 01-21-2008, 08:43 PM

My superintendent put up these tape signs on the fixtures. We've never removed them in nearly two years.