How do I reinforce a fiberglass lamp shade?

[classiccaprice]

Ok fellas, I've got a problem. I opened the windows today and a big gust of wind nocked over one of two matching lamps I have with fiberglass shades. Now there is a giant crack in the shade. While from the 50's, the lamps are on the third generation in my family. The shades are unique and I want to save them. How can I reinforce it without it looking bad? Please help!

 

[danemodsandy]

Hmm...

...While I don't pretend to know how a cracked vintage shade might be repaired, there is a company that reproduces these shades to order. It's Moon Shine Lamp & Shade, in Spring Hill, TX. A linkie is below. I know two dealers who have used them to put shades on '50s lamps with excellent results. The company can even fabricate the welded frames for these lampshades.

Hope this helps if no one has a repair tip - and I hope someone does know how to fix these, because no replacement shade would ever be the same to you as an original that has been in your family, would it?

http://www.moonshineshades.com/

 

[sudsmaster]

Hmmm. You might take the cracked shade to TAP Plastics and see if they have a solution. I think they deal in fiberglass and the resins used to bond it. It might be a relatively simple matter of just using more resin to patch the crack, or some extra glass might be needed to help strengthen the damaged area. I suspect the crack might always be visible when the light is turned on, since the shade is probably translucent... but who knows you might get lucky.