In alt.home.repair, on Wed, 26 Feb 2020 16:44:02 +0000, Ron van van
Empel m wrote:

I have this antique gilt bronze chandelier . It has fabric covered wiring in
the arms. It needs to be replaced, but it wont budge. The fabric has probably
come loose inside and is now all messed up from pulling and is blocking any
movement of the wire.
Does any body know of a trick to get the cord out?
My last resort would be hydrochloric acid....that will eat away at the
fabric...so the wires will be freed...

Hve you tried pulling from both directions? Back and forth back and
forth.

Have you tried pulling hard. It's only cotton, how strong can it be.

Have you pulled out any of the others? Do you see from them what might
be stopping this one?

If there is really nothing to rust ???? just fill that arm with water
and let it soak for a day

Use a long plastic tie, the one with the square ratchet box at one end,
to thread the new wire through. Or a string with a small weight on the
end.