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How can I redo my hideous brass lighting fixtures?

Is there a way that I can paint them to look dark brown or black to look more contemporary or even rustic?

Public Comments

  1. You can spray paint them - there are lots of options in spray paint these days. Can you get them down to spray them outside?
  2. I would think so but I"ve never done it. You'll probably need to rough up the surface with very fine sandpaper so it will 'hold' the paint or at least use a primer to grip the new paint.
  3. Any good metallic paint will do the job. You can get that paint at most hardware store or you can try a good hobby / craft store. have fun.
  4. Remove the fixture. Wash and let it dry well. Place in a safe area where you can spray paint. Cover sockets and any other areas you do not want painted with painters tape. Spray paint mist can travel 30 feet plus so use caution and a proper breathing mask.
  5. Yes, you can paint lighting fixtures. Just a short while ago, I saw this amazing chanelier in a store window in Ottawa... It was painted the shiniest, glossies black I have ever seen... and it was STUNNING! I've also painted lighting fixtures many times, and lamps, etc. Here's how to go about what you want to do: 1. Clean the light fixtures to remove any grease and grime. You may want to consider using liquid TSP (which you'll find at any hardware store). This is my choice cleaner, as it removes ALL grease and grime. Let the surface dry completely. 2. Using an oil-based primer (I prefer spray paint primer when working with light fixtures... If you do, remember that it's important to do many very thin coats instead of 2 or 3 thick ones, thereby avoiding big drips on the surface. Let it dry completely. 3. Using paint that is made for the surface of what you are painting (in this case, brass so you'll need paint that is good for metal), preferably again, in spray, do the same thing. Let the paint dry completely between each coat and use the many-thin-coats trick to get it drip-free! Have fun with the color... Make yourself happy... ! Enjoy your beautiful new fixtures!
  6. No problem; Just buy some metallic spray paint at Wal Mart. Then take a good sized box and cut a slit in it to fit around the lamps and spray away. Someone had recently said they used Hammertite spray paint on their faucets and it came off it parts here and there, down the road, but I would imagine that is because faucets get handled quite a bit and lights would not. So maybe look into Hammertite and see what colors they have.