How to paint electric flex

Penny_Farthing_2

keystone wrote: »

I agree with others if it offends the eye that much get the flex replaced. I have to ask if it looks that bad why on earth buy the thing with the brown flex on it in the first place?

Cheers

Because the fittings themselves are absolutely gorgeous!!!

keystone

Penny_Farthing wrote: »

Because the fittings themselves are absolutely gorgeous!!!

Thats OK :cool:. Get the flex changed before they go up then.

Cheers

Norma_Desmond

I've replaced the flex on lamps / lights that I have many times - all the lighting that I own is antique or vintage.
I get the flex from eBay, mostlly in 'old gold' because it suits.
It's not a difficult job; if I can do it anyone can!

muckybutt

Painting the flex could lead to premature degridation of the outer sheath leading to in worst case circumstances a fire

Ever touched cable that has been painted ? even painted with emulsion you'll find it goes sticky after time, this means the paint has reacted with the polymers in the pvc coating and its beginning to break down, so lesson for today NEVER EVER PAINT CABLE.

zax47

^^^^^^ What he said. Never paint cable/flex! a) the solvents attack the PVC sheath and b) flex is flexible, the paints cracks & flakes off. One, or both, of us is an electrician so we should know.

27col

As a retired electrician I have seen lots of bits of painted cable and flex over the years. Take my word for it, it will always look crappy.

scooby088

Agree with last few comments wouldnt do it, i'd rather replace the flex....

Penny_Farthing_2

I've decided to take the advice not to paint the flex. The lights were already up before I realised how yuck the flex looked. They are big 9-light chandelier type fittings so I'll have to talk nicely to my DH. Thanks for the input, everyone.