replacing recessed lighting trim?

[THE SCUD]

I thought I'd pick the CP collective mind about this relatively easy and mundane task.

We have cheap, builder's grade recessed (pot?) lighting in our kitchen, about 10 lights. They are the ivory plastic ribbed housing and a incandescent flood bulb in it - about as cheap as you can go.

What we currently have looks something like this:



However, we'd like to go with something a little more up-scale and modern to fit with the rest of the house. We were thinking something with a nice halogen bulb and a chrome or black housing, maybe like this?



Is this something I can do? I know how to remove the spring-based retainer clips on the trim/housing pieces, but I wonder if I have to somehow replace the entire fixture (which seems impossible, given that it's in the kitchen on the main floor, so the fixtures are above a finished roof)?

What says you, ohh great CP collective?

[THE SCUD]

Originally Posted by fotze

#whitepeopleproblems

#fixingthisgetswhitehusbandlaid

[bc-chris]

^^ha! great come back!

looking at a fixture like that in my house - you should be able to remove the plastic part.

is the new chrome/black part the same size? something you could just slip into the existing hole (wow.... that sounds dirty!! )

if so then i'd just look for halogen bulbs with a threaded end... might be a little tough to find - but i'm sure a lighting shop could help you out

[Shazam]

Yeah, those are really easy to replace.

Just make sure you replace them with the proper kind - if you have insulation around the light, make sure the new one is made for that too.

[THE SCUD]

Sounds like I can do what I want, provided I can find a threaded halogen bulb and a different housing.

That's what I was hoping to hear, didn't want to have the wife tell me my seadoo money is going to replacing the in-roof fixtures, for something you don't look at anyways!

[THE SCUD]

Originally Posted by Shazam

Yeah, those are really easy to replace.

Just make sure you replace them with the proper kind - if you have insulation around the light, make sure the new one is made for that too.

You mean the entire fixture above the roof, right? I was hoping not to touch that. Just replace the plastic trim/housing. Unless of course there is insulation on the other side of the trim and I am just...

[Shazam]

Originally Posted by THE SCUD

You mean the entire fixture above the roof, right? I was hoping not to touch that. Just replace the plastic trim/housing. Unless of course there is insulation on the other side of the trim and I am just...

Depends what you want to change, just go and take a look

[THE SCUD]

Originally Posted by Shazam

Depends what you want to change, just go and take a look

So, what you're saying is instead of posting from the comfort of my ass in my office, I should get on an ladder?


I'll investigate and if my feeble mind needs any more guidance I will be back! Otherwsie I was just looking for CP's confirmation that I can actually just replace the trim and bulb, and it appears I may be able to - Nice work CP!

[Caged Great]

The easiest way to replace them as far as I know is to unscrew the lightbulb, and there should be two silver looking spring things that extend out towards the middle in upper part of it. With some needle nose pliers carefully and delicately pull them downwards about and half inch and slowly release it and they should just pop out.

Then follow everyone else's directions to make sure that they work.

[Shazam]

Originally Posted by fotze

Next problem for me, how can I get my maid to speak better english, FML.

Take your dick out of her mouth.

[Yanda]

If your upgrading from Incandescent bulbs to Halogen bulbs you would probably need to change the fixture.