How to Dye a Fiberglass Lampshade

Fiberglass cloth can lend an antique or vintage look to your lamp. If you want to change the color of your plain fiberglass lampshade, you have the option of painting or dying in. Spray painting works well on fiberglass parchment lampshades, but your best bet for coloring fiberglass cloth or fabric shades is dying. Tea dying can give your lampshade a natural, rustic appearance.

Black tea bags
Bowl of hot water
Ruler
Pencil
Permanent Marker

Instructions

- 1
  Dip several black tea bags in hot or boiling water and let them steep for approximately five minutes.
- 2
  Grip one of the tea bags and dab it against the top of your lampshade, spreading the color around on the fabric. The color may appear lighter in some places and darker in others; a uniform color isn't necessary.
- 3
  Repeat the process by grabbing a new tea bag from the water once the old tea bag tears. If any tea grounds fall onto the fabric, wait until the shade is dry and then wipe it with a clean cloth.

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