How do you remove plaster from inside an antique lamp base to rewire it?

Question

I have an antique glass lamp base that needs to be rewired. The metal top that holds the bulb is attached to the glass with plaster of paris, which prevents us from taking it apart. Is soaking it in water for a long time the only way to remove the plaster? Won't that damage the metal?

Answer 1

I would suggest that you write to these people:

http://www.wateronline.com/ecommcenters/...

The fact that you were even able to come up with the name Sauereisen made things so much simpler.  They have (for several decades) made what are called "potting compounds" .  These are cements used to secure electronic gizmos inside a variety of plastic or metal containers.  Email them, and if you can bend a sympathetic and interested ear down at that company, you will have everything you need at your fingertips.

You can probably break it down with hydrochloric (muriatic) acid, available at some hardware stores, but I don't want to send you there unless you need to be there.  It can give you chemical burns.  If THEY send you in that direction, I'll warn you now: buy a face shield, gloves and a plastic apron.