TierramadreLandscape.com

Deb D - I'm sorry to say this to you but the copper finish will tarnish and within a year it will fade and even turn into a dull silvery metal look. If you try any lemon, vinegar etc.. etc.. you will only accelerate the tarnishing process.

your only chance of keeping the copper finish is by using a lacquer finish on them and even then it will soon tarnish because of the sun. the finish on most of the solar fixture is poor at best & unless the fixture is made with true copper all the way through and not an applied (very thin) copper finish it will soon fade.

The reason I know this is because I've been designing, installing & repairing Landscape Lighting systems for about 20 years now. I get about 15 calls a week from people wanting me to repair their solar lights and I now tell them it's cheaper to buy new ones (I getquestions about the finishes all the time). I think the idea of a "Solar powered - LED lights" in theory is great but honestly the reality is very different. The LED light is very dim and the color temparature is very unnatural giving a weird looking light. Plus within a year you will have to replace the batteries - and get this most of those types of batteries are considered hazerdous and should be recycled at your city/county recycle center.

Sorry Deb, I know this isn't the answer you were hoping for, I truely wish I could give you a problem solving answer but the truth is you'll spend more time and money trying save the nice copper finish but the results I've seen all come out the same. Sorry.

2008-06-17 18:05:06 by Deb D

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Have never had good luck with reliable solar lighting and cheap plastic coverings that can't stand up to elements, so would like to recommend low voltage, hand-made designs from solid copper, for paths, gardens, decks and water features. Check out CopperScapes.com

Thanks for the input! You have just answered a question for me!

2007-06-12 16:24:17 by Tracy

Price: $35.82 $35.82

UL Listed
Powder coated finish
Weather resistant

We are installing a new outdoor light to the other side of our garage. We are using pre-wired flexible conduit to connect the power from the existing outdoor light. The flexible conduit has three wires- black, white, and one without covering (plain copper). We are guessing that the bare wire is a ground, but what do we connect it to?

Yes, the bare wire is the ground wire.

If the box is metal, connect it to the box.

If the box is plastic, connect it directly to the light fixture. Most light fixtures now days have a green screw somewhere on them for this purpose.

It is imperitive you keep the white with the white, and black on black.

Remember to shut off the circuit breaker that controls that area first.

BillyandGaby above is incorrect about black and white.

White is the common wire, and is not hot and cannot hurt you if you touch it (if everything is wired correctly). Black is the hot wire, and you can get shocked if you connect with the black wire and any ground wire, common wire or...water or the ground....

If in doubt, buy a how-to electrical book for home-wiring at the local hardware store.

Mike

2006-08-12 07:16:30 by WeileMom

Price: $110.66 $84.60

Clear bulb recommended
Weathered copper finish
Diameter: 11 1/4 inches; Height: 9 inches

I am looking for help in creating a outdoor light, i wanted to find someplace that can make 6 arms of a wave design with a scroll at the end out of 3/4 copper tubes please .

Almost any machine shop can help you with that.

2006-11-01 07:45:44 by explosiveblackstar

We have checked lowes & home depot, we have a place to put a light on the corner of the motar (wires ready just no fixture), but we can't seem to find a place that sells them. We are looking for either rustic, oil rubbed bronze, or copper. Any help would be great- Thanks!

You can pretty much install any type of outdoor light fixture you want..you'll just have to drill into the mortar and install some anchors for the fixture to mount. No big deal though.

2007-01-10 05:33:04 by ♥ Cal's Chica ♥