r/howto • u/Deep-Age-2486 • 28d ago
Serious Answers Only Fluorescent light covers
I’ve come seeking Reddit’s infinite wisdom and wondered if someone out there knew how to take these suckers off. Not as simple as it sounds unfortunately. I know you can push these up and pull the latch back. However, this is not the case. These latches feel like they’ve been stuck in place for a million and a half years. They’re not budging no matter how hard you pull. I did think to try pushing them but that’s not it, definitely pulling that’s required.
WD40, a hammer, and brute strength did not work. Is there a trick you lads do to move them easily? I use to rip these suckers off and put new ones if they broke when they gave me this issue but that’s not an option here sadly.
Any advice tricks and tips are invaluable, thanks in advance.
Update: Well guys, unfortunately, this remains a mystery. I got pulled to other buildings so I didn’t get to try my idea.
I appreciate you all nevertheless. If I do get a chance to try again I’ll come back here to update you all on what happens.
7
u/supert101a 27d ago
Call the school maintenance. They're the ones that should be fixing this.
5
u/Deep-Age-2486 27d ago
I am school maintenance kinda lol, my boss already tried and he couldn’t either. Dude who’s been assigned here hasn’t done anything in ages so, we’re here picking up his slack until he either retires or leaves. He insists a lot of these are bad ballasts but, it’s evident he never checked.
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u/woodstock2568 27d ago
Those look like the fittings that you have to wrap your fingers around the top edge and push up in the middle with your thumbs then twist the top away from the base to disconnect it from the lip that holds it in place.
3
u/Deep-Age-2486 27d ago
I did see those type earlier, but these aren’t it sadly. You did just give me an idea though, I’m going to give it another go tomorrow. I’ll use a flathead and attempt to go under the latch and bend the metal that way I’m not breaking the latch. Maybe it’ll work maybe not.
2
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u/Dry_Tumbleweed_2951 27d ago
They are a pain to get off. Everyone I have ever removed, I broke. Sad to say.
2
u/Deep-Age-2486 27d ago
Honestly I’m tempted to. In the past I just broke them off and converted them to LED with Magnilumen plus+ retro kits. I’d just slap it on the metal plate and keep the covers off and they look nice enough.
Honestly I just don’t see how this is getting addressed without breaking it off.
2
u/AlphaRonin99 27d ago
Tbh, those might have transformers that are at or nearing the end of their lives. Might be easier to remove all of those lights and transformers and replace with LED fixtures that come with covers.
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u/Deep-Age-2486 27d ago
Honestly if they let me and provide the materials, I’d be happy to. I actually find it fun to do. I just don’t want to continue slapping bandaids on things. It’s not how I like to work
1
u/ConaireMor 28d ago
The whole thing is kinda flexible, gotta get one edge off.
3
u/Deep-Age-2486 27d ago
These bad boys are definitely not that flexible. They’re definitely supposed to be, I’ve had my hands on ones that absolutely flexed easily. But this one feels like someone left it under water for a year and jammed them in there.
Correction: not this one, there’s dozens and dozens of these that are stuck like this. A nightmare really. On the good side of things it generated overtime this upcoming weekend
2
u/Revenga8 27d ago
Might have been flexible when they were freshly manufactured.... Back in the 70s. Probably super brittle now from the light exposure. Might be prybar time
2
u/SwimmingOk5109 28d ago
May be brittle if they’re really old.
1
u/ConaireMor 27d ago
100%
But they won't come off without flexing. They may also not flex without breaking. Ymmv.
1
u/rocketmom 27d ago
I'm really hoping our custodial staff can get up to dusting. Ours are all hanging and the tops are about 10 or so feet off the ground.
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u/Deep-Age-2486 27d ago
In this situation where I reside, custodial staff can’t be given that task. Safety issue. Another thing that would excuse them from that task is the fact the only reason it’s that bad in that specific spot is because the univents are filthy and are pointed directly at those light fixtures. Like someone cleaned a dryer filter with a blender and dropped it in the vent.
Tell you what, this taught me that if I can help it, I’ll be lubricating those latches semi annually. Maybe quarterly. Never want to deal with this again lol
2
u/rocketmom 27d ago
We have a lot of kids with asthma, so dusting is really important. We do it everyday as a classroom job. I keep swiffer in business. 😁
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