Has anybody figured out a way to keep the paint from flaking off the earlier pieces. This happens when I touch them or dust them. It only happens on the high points or sharp edges of the pieces. I was looking at Ft Niagara this morning and noticed the sharp edges of the roof line had minute paint flaking. St. George's Reef is the worst with the dark brown paint that has a gloss on it. In fact, the earlier pieces with the gloss finish all do this. I guess I won't be able to dust anymore and when I handle them I will have to lift them by the base. Any body got any suggestions?

Rich

Well, Rich, you could always box up those lights you are worried about and send them to me. I will then run an "adoption agency" for the HLs and see that they all get good homes. Before you send them off, take a picture of them and simply display the picture. (just trying to help here..)

Dave

Dave, Your idea has some merit but I use my HL as dependants on my income tax. In fact these little "plaster figurines" actually are almost as expensive as my son was to raise. No thanks, I've grown accustomed to them. I guess the dust buildup ought to cover up the paint chips quite nicely.

Rich

I just noticed this paint flaking topic.

The only HL that I have that suffers from a flaking problem is Sandy Hook. It was like that when I bought it. I had thought about having it repainted but decided to leave it alone. I believe the value would be reduced if the piece were repainted.

Bob

I guess I have been very lucky not to experience any noticable paint flaking. I wonder if this phenomenon is more a function of the climate in which lighthouses are displayed, rather than a problem with the original paints used. I suspect that the damper, more humid the climate, the worse this problem becomes. It's very dry here during the cold months--not great for me, but my lighthouses seem to benefit. Scott

Take a look (link below) at the Boston Harbor piece that's currently on auction on E-Bay. The description of the piece indicates it has some slight fading on the roof. Would that be a result of the "flaking problem" alluded to in these posts? I have a Nauset LE that has the same feature as the Boston piece, although the "fading" on mine is more on the flat surfaces of the roof and as much on the sharp edges. Maybe there's a "frost on the roof", huh??
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=735349968

Dan

Dan, When I started this topic what you see on the Boston Harbor is what I refer to as paint flaking. If you were to take you finger and rub, or take a brush and dust the piece, the paint would rub/flake off. It won't do this on later pieces and seem to only affect the original 17 pieces. I haven't noticed it on the other earlier ones afetr the original 17.

Rich

I have seen pieces with paint like the Boston Harbor piece in stores where the piece was displayed out in the open, not in a locked case and I beleive the fading is caused by excessive handling.

I bought the Nauset piece on the secondary market and I really don't know how it was handled in the past???? If it is in fact the "paint flaking phenomenon" it extends beyond the Original 17.
I'm going to consider it a cold fall day and there's some frost on the roof .... will make me feel a little better!!

Dan