touch lights - can you paint them?

[lilacben]

I have two touch lights in my bedroom and want to paint them another colour is it possible to do this as my husband thinks they may not work any more.

[buildersmate]

It is unlikely to work after you paint it. Most of these lamps work by a change in capacitance caused on the base of the lamp when the base is linked to another body. Without getting too technical, electrons flow from the human to the base, and the insulating effect of the layer of paint will almost ertainly stop this happening.
If the base of the lamp is also metal (try turning it on its side and operating it by touching the bottom) you could try painting a patch on the base to see if it still works, without damaging the appearance of the rest of the lamp?

[lilacben]

Many thanks for you answer. So hubby right again, oh dear I will never hear the end of it. Still now he will have to buy me new lights.!