Help me get this Damn cover off please?!!

[Stupot1983]

Bathroom lightbulb needs replacing,

Have tried clockwise and anti clockwise, wedging a screwdriver, pushing up and twisting, pulling down and twisting and it won't budge. Don't know the make/model and the photo of the little indent is the only noticeable thing on the outside, no screws or other tabs or anything. Property was a new build 5 years ago if that helps? Haven't been able to find anything on an identical cover anywhere, the few bits on similar ones basically said to smash it up, hoping this isn't the case!

Thanks in advance!

 

[sparkwright]

A coin is usually good for getting in the slot. You may also need a bit of brute force if it doesn't come off easily.

Sometimes you can get hold of the cover with both hands, scream and shout a bit, and yank the thing off - they don't usually break.

 

[333rocky333]

50p in the slot and twist the coin, it will pop off

 

[crystal ball]

Maybe give it a gentle tap all the way round first it may be sticking a bit, as my mate says "its only held on by poverty" no I dunno what it means either

 

[SimonH2]

Sometimes you can get hold of the cover with both hands, scream and shout a bit, and yank the thing off - they don't usually break.

"Usually"
Then there is the other factor - which is stronger, the grip of the cover, or the fixings holding the fitting to the ceiling ? I've had occasions where the fixings lost and the whole thing has come off the wall/ceiling

 

[pete50]

"Usually"
Then there is the other factor - which is stronger, the grip of the cover, or the fixings holding the fitting to the ceiling ? I've had occasions where the fixings lost and the whole thing has come off the wall/ceiling

The way builders are throwing up new builds in the last few years I would think it highly likely that you could rip it off the ceiling.

 

[SimonH2]

But in all seriousness, it should be a matter of put something in the slot and turn to pop it off. The wider the better, ideally it should be the full width of the slot to minimise the damage to the plastic - there's already marks left by a smaller screwdriver/whatever showing in the photo.

 

[crystal ball]

Another old method for freeing stuck items is heat, a quick blow with a hairdryer on low might help

 

[Stupot1983]

Thanks for replies

The way builders are throwing up new builds in the last few years I would think it highly likely that you could rip it off the ceiling.

Oh how right you are the light is currently hanging from the ceiling held only by the electric wires, still with cover on.

Tried the 50p which felt like it could do it if the plastic wasn't already damaged a bit by the screwdrivers previously so tried it on the working one in other bathroom just to see and almost pulled that off the ceiling as well.

Any tips now its hanging off other than turn off electric at switchboard? which I've done and discovered that the switch labelled first floor lighting was actually ground floor and vice versa! Cowboys!

Not very electrical savvy to say the least but i can't disconnect the electrical wires as they connect underneath the cover to? But its now difficult to get any leverage to pull cover off?

Will try the hairdryer tommorrow..

 

[333rocky333]

As you twist the 50p it pushes the two plastics apart , this cannot cause any force to pull it off the ceiling, the same method will work even when the fitting is not secured to something.

 

[JohnD]

You may find there is another slot found the other side you can put your 50p in.

Drum lights are very cheap. Just buy another

https://www.screwfix.com/p/asd-drum-light-white-240v/55141#_=p

Or splash out and buy something better.

https://www.screwfix.com/c/electrical-lighting/indoor-lighting/cat12410001#category=cat840928

 

[Stupot1983]

Yeah sorry i wasn't blaming the 50p in the slighest ,it was the pulling, twisiting and shouting before and after it didn't worj that did the damage. As i said it felt like the 50p would work but just couldn't get enough leverage with it, think i need a 50p head screwdriver

 

[crystal ball]

50p held by pliers?

 

[RF Lighting]

We use a 2p in Yorkshire.

 

[Nige F]

An old 1d. with one edge ground off and fixed to a rod I shall be making one (maybe more) after trying to get my neighbours light cover off If it works well I'll list one on eBay