Goo just liquifies. Help

[Kevin]

I have to original 1970's lava lamps that when you turn them on and heat the wax just melts and doesn't move at all. The other has a large section on the bottom that melts and a glob that just sits on the top but again no movement.  The first one has new distiller water and some canning salt with original goo. The second is still all original. Do I need to start over , add more salt or what. Any help would be great. 
Thanks 
Kevin

[Erin]

Do you have any pics? How long have they been running? If you've got a home-brew lamp with replaced water, the problems could be numerous. But the all-original one should flow. 

[Mattmos]

My question is, when it comes to an older lamp (70's lets say), is it the liquid and wax that makes the lamp worth anything or is it the lamp itself? Because if I come across an older lamp and it doesn't flow correctly or it's too cloudy, I'll give it a goo kit in a heartbeat. Am I wrong in doing that?

[Tim Gill]

I am not a die hard collector who cares about complete originality so I would be the same. If I got a vintage 70's lamp and it was shot - i wouldn't hesitate goo kiting it if i couldn't get it to work with DI water and salts as it clear that the wax is dead. This is probably the issue with your lamp - the wax is probably gone so the best thing to do is either goo kit it, replace the bottle (depending on the lamp) or refill it.

I think that the value in the lamp lies in the whole thing - yes the formula does contribute to it but if its rubbish then your better off just selling it with a empty globe as its the same thing really. So if you have to re do the globe I don't think your doing the wrong thing but if you really want to do a good job of it then the best option is to use the formular close to its original.

Mattmos said:

My question is, when it comes to an older lamp (70's lets say), is it the liquid and wax that makes the lamp worth anything or is it the lamp itself? Because if I come across an older lamp and it doesn't flow correctly or it's too cloudy, I'll give it a goo kit in a heartbeat. Am I wrong in doing that?