Replacing old R50 downlights for MR16 spotlights?

[parkie23]

Hello all - not sure if in the right forum -
I have 2 old brass R50 downlights in my hallway - very ancient looking.
I would like to upgrade them to modern MR16 spotlight (halogen bulbs)

What would be the best way to fill in the gap? -
R50 is approx 5 inches width - new MR16 is 3 inches.

Not being the best person at DIY - can I use normal filler out of a tube and sand it down, paint then install new one?

Other advice given to me was to leave it and replace with a Downlight Adapter Plate – this takes the new MR16 but the plate looks too big

Appreciate any help/advice

All the best Gary

 

[roughcaster]

The way you suggested Parkie, using filler, really wont work. I don't know what the ceiling is made of, but if it's plasterboard, i think it would be far easier to relocate the new smaller light/s,, up or down the hallway,, just a few inches away from where they are now, and fill in the old larger holes altogether.

Roughcaster.

 

[parkie23]

Thanks for the advice Roughcaster.
To be completely honest - I’m an amateur - how would you advise me to fill the holes in (best product) - without knocking up plaster manually?
All the best Parkie

 

[Captain5691]

Hi

I would do as roughcaster sugested and relocate the new lights far enough away from the origionals to give you a solid housing.

As for the old holes, what I have done in the past is cut a couple of small battens about 4" larger than the diameter of the hols and fit these up inside, one on each side, using either gripfill or screws, then cut a piece of plaster board to fill the hole, this can then be either screwed of glued to the battens, a light skim or filler and job done....

 

[roughcaster]

Hi

I would do as roughcaster sugested and relocate the new lights far enough away from the origionals to give you a solid housing.

As for the old holes, what I have done in the past is cut a couple of small battens about 4" larger than the diameter of the hols and fit these up inside, one on each side, using either gripfill or screws, then cut a piece of plaster board to fill the hole, this can then be either screwed of glued to the battens, a light skim or filler and job done....

I agree with that advice Captain and would do it in a very similar way...
It's easy to make a smaller hole bigger, but difficult in this case to make the bigger hole smaller. By the time you batten/fill the original hole to reduce the diameter, it might obstruct the new light/clips, from fitting up into the ceiling.

Roughcaster.