Paint That Bad Brass

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Thanks for your nice comments yesterday on my painted light fixture. I think it's just further proof at what a can of spray paint can do! I had several of you ask how I painted the light fixture to transform it

from this (sorry I don't have a better before picture):


To this:


Basically, I didn't want to remove the entire lighting fixture ('cause I'm lazy like that) so I covered the wall and the counter below with paper bags so I could spray it in the room. I also covered the light sockets with tape so that paint wouldn't interfere with the fixture working correctly.

I didn't prime first because...well, again, I'm lazy like that. And really, it's not going to get a whole lotta wear so I felt okay about skipping this step.

I applied 2 or 3 coats of Rustoleum American Accents spray paint in oil rubbed bronze. This spray paint is now hard to find, but you can read about other options and where to find this one here.

I also replaced the glass shades on the fixture. They were that ribbed glass which feels a little dated to me.

And I felt like a more current looking glass shade would make a big difference. They were pretty inexpensive at Lowe's (I want to say $5 or $6) and I chose simple marbled alabaster shades.

A couple of you also asked about painting door knobs. I haven't done this yet myself, but I have spoken with several people that have, and they've all told me that they hold up very well. I would definitely recommend that you prime first and then apply 3 light coats (with plenty of dry time in between and before use) for optimal durablity (yes...I said "optimal durability"...can you tell I'm in "work mode"? I'll get back to human speak later.).

Happy painting! Let me know if you have additional questions.

29 Suburbanites Said:

WhisperWood Cottage said...

I can honestly say I've never seen that before! It turned out beautifully!!

Amy

Yansy said...

It looks great!

Juli B. said...

I have painted several brass items in my house including my fireplace screen, dining room light and just recently my front door handle. I sprayed it with black hammered finish paint and it looks fabulous. Also, if you use rustoleum flat black oil based paint (it comes in a small can) and dab it on with a small sponge it gives the hammered look as well.

The P*dunc's said...

You have read my mind! I was just telling my husband last night that I wanted to paint all my door nobs (and chandeliers and and and)! I live in a world of shiny gold fixtures....augh!!! So here are my questions: What primer would you use on the door knobs, or other fixtures? Did they take the knobs off to paint them?

Marjorie said...

Do you have any suggestions on what to do with 'medium' brass, i.e. brass that has a patina but is not solid and have spots show here and there? I have a set of candlesticks that are on a stone fireplace that need something, but I can't paint them black since the stone background is dark. Also, I have two antique brass candle sconces that show their age, but are beautiful. It would be a crime to paint them. Maybe I should just consider them naturally distressed :-)

Anonymous said...

The lights look great! I painted some doorknobs with ORB spray paint from WalMart. I recommend taking the whole knob off of the door and painting the knob itself, plus the latch (the part that hooks into the door jamb), and the plate in the door jamb. I'd paint the door hinges, too, if they are noticable. Otherwise you'll see those parts when the door is open. Not that I would know...

AnNicole@Our Suburban Cottage said...

I totally agree with Ginny. To do the job right I'd remove the doorknobs, plate and latch before painting them. It's really not as hard as it sounds. The hinges probably would be more work to remove (and that would be one of those things I'd hope to get around to eventually...looong list of those items), but ideally it would look best to paint the hinges too. Thanks!

Amanda @ Serenity Now said...

Well, I think the pink breast cancer wallpaper really adds something to the room too. ;) I like that tip though...saves soooo much time. I'll remember it if/when I get around to doing our bathroom lighting fixtures. :)

Aja said...

Wow, great transformation!! I just recently started following your blog and I totally recognize those Reasor's grocery bags! I think I'm in your neck of the woods :)

Unknown said...

Hi There!
I love your blog! I just started a new design blog, featuring all my favorite before & afters. Do you mind if I feature your kitchen makeover? (with credit to you, of course!)

http://www.betterafter.blogspot.com

gina said...

Oh, ho, ho- I know how to finsish the nasty brass parts on the builder's light in my upstairs bath now! I was too lazy to take it all down. ;) Lots of newspaper works for me for now! Thanks. :)

caryn said...

ok...that does it! i am no longer living with fixtures i can't stand! i'm heading to the home improvement store!!! thanks for the inspiration. hope to show some on my blog SOON!!!

Erin said...

great idea! i must steal this. i'm SO into the idea of painting stuff where they are. why do more work if you don't have to? it saves more time for other projects. great job!

Sherry said...

Has anyone tried to paint a brass trim...glass shower door? I have one that will need to be replaced with silver if I am not able to paint it. Please let me know. Thanks!!

The P*dunc's said...

Thanks! I talked my husband into a "trial run". (I tend to start a project, mess it up, and quit half way through...) I have painted all the knobs in the master bath (where visitors never see) and we will see how they hold up!

Carla said...

Wow! I love how that turned out. I never thoguht about painting brass, but I have about 30 brass door knobs that I now know I can paint!

Anonymous said...

I HATE the brass look-your post has given me some wonderful inspiration for my house
Thank you
Lori

Karen said...

You are unbelievably brave to spray paint without removing the fixture! It looks great. I just recently posted a headboard makeover that involved painting over brass as well. It's amazing how quickly you can get rid of the dated brass with a little paint.

LuLu said...

Brilliant and thank you for the great tip, I am going to do my front door handle after this amazing tip!
have a great weekend,
LuLu

Melissa @ The Inspired Room said...

Wow! Great transformation, it made a big difference!!

coca-cola angela said...

What kind of primer should be used?

Anonymous said...

GREAT before & after! That was much better than nasty brass.

Delightful Dwelling said...

It looks great! I just redid one of our bathrooms with oil-rubbed bronze bath hardware, faucet, and light. I used regular Rustoleum Oil-Rubbed Bronze Metallic spray paint that I bought at Lowe's. I think it was $6 a can. I DO NOT reccomend the Krylon oil-rubbed bronze. Or at least the can I bought with the "360 nozzle" was a waste of money.

Unknown said...

To those who have spray painted their door knobs:
I'm planning on priming, painting with Oil rubbed bronze. The big question... do you need a top coat or sealer? If yes, what product? Also... any recommendations on the type of primer to use?

Anonymous said...

Goldie said...
This is to Delightful Dwelling....Why do you not recommend the Krylon oil rubbed bronze? Do you prefer the color of the Rustoleum?

Unknown said...

In case anyone is still reading this I have some helpful hints. I just got a brand new can of Aged Bronze Metallic Spray Paint by Rustoleum at Home Depot and sprayed all my hinges and light fixtures (I got new door handles). They turned out GREAT! The helpful hint that the person at the store gave me is that it is very important to clean the fixtures with a degreaser (I used Dawn Dish Soap and water) and dry them and do NOT TOUCH them with your fingers again before painting them. The dirt and oil is what makes the paint not stick. It seemed to work great for my project!

Unknown said...

Thank you Patti for keeping the string alive. I just found this blog because I did a search on ORB spraypaint. Wanting to order some light fixtures that only come in black & I needed dark bronze. Been pondering paint & Whalah!, here's this site! What affirmation! Did you find the "Aged Bronze" Metallic by Rustoleum to be lighter than the ORB comparatively? how does it differ? -Petra

ShareandRemember said...

I've painted mine before but OMGoodness, you didn't even take it off the wall! LOL

Kat said...

Spray painting really does the job! I've been wanting to paint my old lamp for my experiment DIY lighting project but I'm a bit hesitant. I guess this is the sign I was looking for. Haha.. Thanks for this wonderful post!