Ventilator Balls

Does anyone know what can be done if the little ball is knocked off on top of the lighthouse? I had bought an artists proof without one and I also bumped off one of mine so I wondered if anyone has any tips.
Judy

You go to an arts and crafts store and buy a wood or plastic bead just a little smaller then the size of the ventilator ball that broke off(this is if you don't have the broken off ball). Glue the bead on the top of the broken off area with super glue. Fill in the bead hole with Elmers Glue and also allow Elmers Glue to flow down the outside of the bead to fill in the area between the bead and the lighthouse roof where the bead is mounted(the film of Elmers glue will make the bead a little larger so this is why you bought a smaller bead to begin with). Let it dry and paint the bead with matching touchup paint from the same crafts store. (Hint: Take the lighthouse into the crafts store and get a matching color for the roof prior to repair. Dab a little paint on a white piece of paper and let it dry as the paint shade/color may change after drying. You may have to paint the entire roof area if you can't get a perfect color match.)

Thanks, Rich. Great idea. I'll give it a try.
Judy

It depends on the artist proof.
If it is one of the early ones, you may want to have it sent to a restorer where he can make a ventilator ball for it. The reason I say this, is that there was an artist proof on ebay last year with a broken ventilator ball and was a one of a kind and should be preserved.
If you have an AP of one that was made within the past 7 years I would do what Rich said. It would be cheaper to find an other AP than to pay to have it restored.

Well Judy,

The best way to correct you problem is to go a creft store amd purchase a product called Crayola Model Magic. They come in various colors -- defending upom what you need.

It's a clay like substance that you need to roll into a ball. Let it sit for on day (no oven required) and just push it in the top of your lighthouse.

I purchased mine and it works perfectly. No problem whatsoever.

bobo

Thanks all of you for great tips. As always you get the best info on these Forums. Now I don't have any excuse not to fix my two pieces!
Judy

Judy,

I prommise you that my suggestion will work beyond your wildest expectations.

bobo

Bob
I will have to remember that if I ever run into that problem. I do have one with a deep nick and two with a little of the body broken out of them.
Can this stuff be used for filler and molding back to match the existing?

A tip to keep from knocking off a ventilator ball in the first place...

Always rest an index finger on the top of the ball or lightning rod when either pulling out or putting your lighthouses in your cabinets. Use your other hand to hold the weight of the lighthouse, in other words use two hands.. Glass shelves are great but they are also like guillotine blades when it comes to ventilator balls..

You got that right, Paul! It's bad enough having to clean the cabinets and dust the pieces, but when you knock the ball off, it makes you wish you kept them dusty!
Judy