ORB Spray Paint "Taste Test"

Sunday, August 30, 2009

I can't tell you how many new people I've had visit my blog recently and say, "I found you when I was doing a Google search on ORB spray paint", or "My friend said I should come over and read your posts about ORB spray paint." So apparently I've become the Oil-Rubbed-Bronze-Spray-Paint-Girl. Well...okay...I can deal with that. I guess this sprung from my love of Rustoleum's American Accents ORB spray paint (which is now hard to find), and trying to find a good replacement.

So I've decided to embrace my new title and go that extra mile by doing an ORB spray paint "taste test" (although I do not recommend actually tasting paint...I'm just sayin').

I chose 3 different types of spray paint to compare, and sprayed 3 decorative orbs from Walmart.



Here are the contenders:

Contender 1) Rustoleum American Accents ORB Spray Paint (From my secret - and quickly diminishing - stash)


Contender 2) Rustoleum Bright Coat Metallic Finish Spray Paint in "dark bronze"

Contender 3) Krylon Brushed Metallic ORB Spray Paint




The results?

Numbers 1 and 3 are pretty darn similar...and number is (like the old Sesame Street song says)...not like the others.

The Krylon Brushed Metallics ORB paint (on the right) is very similar to my fave Rustoleum American Accents ORB paint (on the left). My fave is a smidge warmer, but really, there's not much difference.
The Rustoleum Metallic Dark Bronze (in the middle) is kind of pretty, but it's not a replacement for my fave. It's lighter than the other two, and more brown. If you're looking for an ORB paint that has more brown in it, though, it could be a good option.

In summary? If you can't find Rustoleum's American Accents ORB paint, you should opt for Krylon's Brushed Metallics ORB paint (I found mine at Walmart for less than $3).
Happy painting!

44 Suburbanites Said:

A Home in Progress said...

Thank you SO much for doing this "taste test"! I discovered the love of the oil-rubbed bronze spray paint too late and can NEVER find it in the stores. It's so great to find a suitable replacement!

LindaSonia said...

I cannot thank you enough for doing this test for us!!!! I'm a whiner over the American Accents ORB paint disappearing (wah) and I was debating whose version to try because I wasn't about to spend the price they wanted for it on Amazon. You've nailed it for me!! Thanks again. LindaSonia

Jen said...

Thank you for the info. I just discovered Walmart's spray paints for less then the other stores! Ya!! love your blog
jen in California

Unknown said...

How funny...well thanks for doing the "spray test" for us! Hope you had a nice weekend!!

:) T

Thrifty Decor Chick said...

I am going to Walmart tomorrow!! And people, I will knock you out of the way for this!! :)

Amanda @ Serenity Now said...

Good comparison post. :) I liked that you showed them all next to each other! I like the one on the left (Krylon) as a substitute. :)

Frugal Jen said...

Look like you found a replacement for all of us addicted to ORB spray paint!

gina said...

This sis the fgirst that I 've heard of ORB spray paint, but now I'm hooked and need to figure out what I can paint with it around here...

Anonymous said...

Thanks so much!! I have been looking every where for this paint. If I take my boyfriend to another spray paint isle he might leave me :)

Love your projects.

fifi said...

The Krylon paint in Ivory is also a very close substitute for the famouse Hairloom from Rustoleum and so much cheaper.I can get two cans of Krylon Ivory at Walmart for the price of 1 can of Rusto hairloom :)

Unknown said...

Good to know! I just tried Rustoleom for the first time this weekend, and I was not impressed. I like the Krylon better.

Sarah said...

This is so funny! I love spray paint in general,have to check these out!

The Stain Family said...

Krylon has been the only option for me since I heard about the "oil rubbed bronze" craze a few months ago. I've sprayed everything...ugly gold picture frames, cheapy silver tp holders and towel bars...you name it! Up next? My cheapy silver bathroom faucets...wish me luck!

Kimba said...

I love this! So funny! I used to get a bunch of google hits on ORB paint too.

I haven't talked about it in a while because my fave (Kilz) has been discontinued. Soooo sad. I haven't tried any other brands but I'm feeling inspired now! Thanks!

Kimba

All Things Cherish said...

Thanks for the rundown on what the best ORB spray paints are. I'm new to the whole spray paint scene but have been needing to get into it because it's cheaper and also because half of my house has ORB fixtures and hardware. Can't wait to try out the Krylon one.

Girly Stuff said...

That was a good taste test. Thanks for taking the time to do it!

I read you all the time but quietly lurk. I am having a favorite things list that I would love for you to do because I am curious what some of your favorite things are since I love your style.

Come over if you have time.

Willow said...

Thank you so much for doing that! That was great and will save me a few bucks:)

The P*dunc's said...

I am kicking myself right now. I should have listened to you the first time. :)

My lowes still had the ORB stocked so I grabbed a couple, not thinking that I should GRAB EVERY CAN THERE WAS at the time!!!! I painted my door knobs (just the three in my bathroom for a test run) and I LOVE them! Then I painted my chadelier as well so I ran out quick.

Today, I went back to get more and IT WAS GONE!!!!! In my shock I grabbed some paint that looked very similar (your test subject #2) and quickly starting painting so that I could get done before my son got home from school.

Right after (and cursing myself because I DID NOT like it) painting, I remembered this post and then I cried. Not really, but I wanted to.

Moral of the story: Don't rush things like I did!

Now, I am heading off to WalMart to buy some Krylon ORB.

Thanks.

Delightful Dwelling said...

I'm glad the Krylon worked for you. I tried the same paint and the goofy 360 degree nozzle kept clogging up. After about a minute, it stopped spraying altogether. I was not happy that I had to leave a project unfinished until I bought some of the Rustoleum's ORB paint.

My can of Rustoleum looks like the middle can of Rustoleum you have, but mine came out much darker. I used it on the mirror in my bathroom and my curtain rods and they look more black than brown. I bought it at Lowe's or Home Depot and it actually said it was ORB., not dark bronze. Not sure if they are the same or not.

Delightful Dwelling said...

Just looked at my paint and it's Rustoleum, but the can actually looks different than either one you have and it's a darker ORB finish. It's Rustoleum metallic and has pictures of objects on front that you can paint and says "stops rust".

Barbie said...

Thanks for this! I am buying the Krylon tomorrow to paint my bathroom light fixtures!! Oh happy day. :-)

J & L said...

Hey, thanks for this post! I've put another example (Rust-Oleum Oil Rubbed Bronze) on my website if your readers would like to check that out!

http://tellerallaboutit.wordpress.com/2009/09/11/before-after-bliss-5-makeover/

Thanks for the "research" :)

Anonymous said...

I first tried Krylon ORB earlier this year after comparing it's price to Rustoleum (IMO their entire line is so pricey) and have never looked back! I use it on tons of projects and have 10 cans stashed away for future "emergencies". Thanks for this post.

fifi said...

I bought a can of the Krylon ORB from walmart wanting to paint my old brassy door knobs. After doing a paint test on a couple of things I found it too dark almost black and lacking the warmth the rustolium ORB.NOW I cant find the rusto orb in any of the hardware stores in my area :( :(

Anonymous said...

Great post! Wondering if anyone has spray painted a brass shower enclosure and faucets and, if so, the results? If good, the method would be appreciated.

Anonymous said...

The Rust-oleum Modern Accents Oil Rubbed Bronze spray paint is still available. I ordered it from www.hardwareworld.com - and they sell it in sets of six 11 oz. cans for $33.42, which is about $5.50 a can. With shipping the total cost was $40.12, a lot less than the Amazon price of over $11 per can! Also, I left a message to ask a question, and Sandra called me back and said that she had personally called Rust-oleum and they said they have not discontinued this item - it's one of their most popular. She said they just changed the label and improved the nozzle to make spraying easier. So good luck and thanks for all your tips.

catzgraham@gmail.com said...

Hi ~ Just wanted to let you know that RustOleum American Accents Oil Rubbed Bronze spray paint is alive and well and for sale at this website:

http://www.hardwareworld.com/Sp-Oil-Rub-Met-Bronze-pRNHB5Y.aspx

Their email address is customerservice@hardwareworld.com - phone 866-663-6837

And check out their prices! They only sell this as a set of 6 full 11oz cans for $33.42. That is $5.57 a can! Shipping is very reasonable too!

While this paint is hard to find at many retailers, it is definitely NOT discontinued by RustOleum, and in fact, has been expanded into two more of their lines: Stops Rust part # 248636 and Universal part # 249131, The Universal version is formulated to also be used on plastics which the other two versions are not.

Love your site! Thought I would give you a heads up on this beloved paint!

AnNicole@Our Suburban Cottage said...

Catzgraham - Thanks so much for the info! I'll go check it out.

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The Mac's House said...

Just what I was looking for. Thanks for the comparison testing......

Such great info!

Learning2CouponFL said...

That's how I found your blog! :)

I was Googling to find out how to paint a gold picture frame oil rubbed bronze (it was a LOT less shiny in the dim store lighting).

Unknown said...

My 3500 sq. ft. house was all brass, including 22 doors, 6 ceiling light fixtures with glass globes, dining room light, jetted tub in master bath (including Delta bath fixtures), shower frames in 2 full baths, drawer knobs, toilet paper holders and towel holders. We upgraded our master shower to a frameless shower door and my lovely wife decided to go with oil rubbed bronze hinges and door pull. I had no idea what that small decision would mean at the time. To summarize, I painted 66 hinges, 22 door knobs, 22 strike plates, front door knocker, front door kick plate, door bell, over a hundred screws, all the light fixtures, including the dining room, 4 sets of bathroom fixtures, 8 drawer knobs and 2 shower frames. It took me almost a month to complete the project from start to finish. Prepping the metal took the most time and I used a bench grinder with a wire wheel brush. The brush is about half the size from when I started. I sold my house right after finishing the project and the comments were amazing from the Realtors and people that looked at the house. I used 12 cans of primer and 12 cans of Rust-oleum ORB. Now I am selling another house with the same issues and am looking for more of this great paint.

My Prince and Princess said...

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!! My dh bought some brass light fixtures that I didn't have the heart to make him return...I am so tackling them w/ this. Great comparison... Can't wait to try it...so glad I googled "ORB" paint tips...

melissa

CBelle said...

Thanks so much for this! I googled ORB spray paint and found this post as well. And now I have a great new blog to read! Your house is lovely!

Jess
zocalcreative.tumblr.com

Unknown said...

I did a google search on ORB and was bounced onto your blog. I just painted an old elephant lamp with Krylon ORB and I love it. I was wondering how could i make it look a little bit older? Any ideas??
Consider me a new follower and if you care to, I also have baking blog if you want to stop by. Thanks, Jackie

{jaclyn} said...

thank you! i have been looking for rustoleum's ORB everywhere. thanks for doing the leg-work and finding a replacement. can't wait to pick some up!

Frazzled Mom said...

Hi! Found your blog and thought I would give you a new option to check out! http://www.rustoleum.com/CBGProduct.asp?pid=181&sid=249131 A friend did bathroom fixtures, door knobs and shower rod with it and raved! I'm getting ready to try it myself and change my tacky brass fixtures into something more appealing!

Anonymous said...

We are moving into a Sears Kit built house (modified Springfield, #133)
built in the 1910's this weekend, and it's a rental. Since they aren't particular about little changes, and I'm a stick to the house's time period kind of girl, a lot of my stuff, and the fixtures that I can, will be getting this treatment. I'm very excited to find you.

Leslie @ NE Portland Bungalow said...

Just found your blog, like you said, by searching "oil rubbed bronze spray paint." Too funny! Thanks so much for doing this test and posting the results!

Sharon said...

Can be found at Amazon, too :) *THANKS* for this!

Sharon said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

Now I am selling another house with the same issues and am looking for more of this great paint. Battery Led Picture Light

jodib said...

So it has been some time since you wrote this, but I only recently found it. I am going to spray all the bright, shiny chrome in my bathroom this beautiful bronze. I noticed you said you couldn't find the Rustoleum AA ORB anymore. Now it might not be the same thing, but I found some at my local Wal-mart. It is a white can now, not the yellowish color. If you are still looking, hope this helps. :)

Unknown said...

Any chance you can do/have done the same type of "taste test" with a satin or brushed nickle spray paint? I'm considering doing my kitchen hardware, but was not at all impressed with the rustoleum satin nickle.