Glass of outdoor lamp won’t unscrew

[HudsonSC]

Hi all

Really hoping you can help. I had an electrician fit light fittings outside my front door (image attached). All fine apart from the fact he screwed one of them on without inserting the rubber washer to the base of the light, so now the whole lighting unit just turns when i try to unscrew the glass.

I want to spare him/ me the embarrassment of getting him back, so any ideas how i can possibly fix this? I’ve tried wedging something in the gap to create resistance and turning the glass, and 2 people turning the case clockwise while the glass turned counter clockwise etc but no luck.

I’m tempted to smash the glass and get a replacement but not even sure that’ll fix it as it’ll still be screwed in!

Any ideas? Anyone?

Cheers

 

[foxhole]

Try hot water poured slowly over it to break seal .
If it’s plastic ? furniture polish makes a good lubricant .

 

[Wayners]

Super glue to top the part twisting?

Masking to protect glass and plastic from glue.
Few drops of super glue. Give it a few hours and remove tape. See it it comes off.

Plan B
Cover the glass in masking tape and smash it

 

[HudsonSC]

Super glue to top the part twisting?

Masking to protect glass and plastic from glue.
Few drops of super glue. Give it a few hours and remove tape. See it it comes off.

Plan B
Cover the glass in masking tape and smash it

Super glue where?

Try hot water poured slowly over it to break seal .
If it’s plastic ? furniture polish makes a good lubricant .

Fitting itself is all plastic, dome is obviously glass. Used WD40 but didn’t work. Will try hot water and see if it expands and unscrews.

Feel a right tit, neighbours looking at me like how can’t that guy change a bulb hahaha

 

[Wayners]

I'm not sure whats turning so my idea is add glue to stop it.

Or put small screw through to stop it turning.
Then twist glass shade off.

You thinking must idea is off and won't work? If so forgive.

 

[HudsonSC]

I'm not sure whats turning so my idea is add glue to stop it.

Or put small screw through to stop it turning.
Then twist glass shade off.

You thinking must idea is off and won't work? If so forgive.

Ok I understand. The glass is turning as is the white base of the light (the bit the light screws into) but the black fitting you can see on the picture isn’t.

I can’t get to the white bit inside the black fitting you see to stop it from turning with the glass. The glass is completely flush to the black fitting.

 

[Wayners]

Drill hole and push bit through to catch white bit to stop it turning?

 

[conny]

Isolate the power to the fitting and remove the whole thing from the wall, (making a note/taking a photo of where the connections go).
You can now try to work on it at a comfortable level indoors/in shed.
I would use a pair of rubber gloves to hold the glass and then pour hot water gently over the plastic surround, (hold the fitting horizontally over the sink/washing up bowl whilst doing this). You need to expand the plastic quickly before the heat reaches the glass.
It may be easier if you have someone to pour the water for you whilst you hold the glass with one hand and the fitting with the other, trying to twist them apart as the water is poured over the plastic section.
Don't worry about getting any of it wet, because once the glass is off, you can leave it apart for a few days and allow everything to dry out in a warm place.
The final solution is to bin it and fit a new one fitted with the rubber washer in place.

 

[ericmark]

I want to spare him/ me the embarrassment of getting him back

That does not help, one he will be unaware of his error, and will do it again, and two if you damage the unit in your attempt to repair, you will have no re-dress.

Just call him back.

 

[robinbanks]

Don't worry about getting any of it wet, because..

..it lives outside in the rain!

 

[conny]

..it lives outside in the rain!

Where it is protected from the rain.
If you get any electrical equipment wet, then it must be dried thoroughly before being put back into use.

 

[robinbanks]

Wish you'd told me that before I used the shower to get the dust off my plasma TV!