How To Update a Brass Light Fixture with Spray Paint
This post explains how to update a brass light fixture using spray paint.
I have been eager to update a few things in my kitchen – mostly to update a brass light fixture that hangs over my table.
When I decorated this kitchen, shiny brass was popular, not aged brass. I like the warmth of gold over silver, bronze, or black, but a muted gold – not shiny anymore. I want to add more white with color pops and less black to the room.
Here is my inspiration photo. I love these white metal lights. They are simple and classic, yet a bit unique. The light fixture in my kitchen is not quite the same, but I knew I could spray paint the brass on mine, white – to start giving my kitchen the light and airy feel I am after.
The hardest part of the brass light spray painting project was taking the light down and putting it back up. I asked my hubby to do that. He had in down it a few minutes.
I was going to spray paint it outside since I have been banned from spray painting in the garage since I unintentionally spray painted our cars, but I didn’t want any bugs to land on it while it dried as well as it looked like rain.
I ended up setting up a spray booth in my basement using a big box I got in the dumpster behind my local dollar store. (They always have nice clean boxes). I have been a little too cavalier in my spray painting ways –no more over-spray on surrounding objects – like cars. Back to good spray painting practices.
When spraying bigger items I use this set-up or a tent shelter.
How To Update a Brass Light Fixture Using Spray Paint to Get a Glossy Finish
supplies needed:
- Spray paint and primer in one formula of spray paint
- Tack cloth
- Paint mask to help lessen breathing in the paint fumes
- Clean the surface well with hot sudsy water, rinse and let dry.
2. Lightly rub 100 grit sandpaper over the surface to lightly scratch the surface to provide some “tooth” for the paint to adhere. Remove sanding grit with a tack cloth.
3. Spray a light coat of spray paint in a glossy formula over the object you are working on, after about 3 – 5 minutes spray another light coat on. Repeat every 5 minutes until the surface is covered. Let dry.
4. Let dry completely for at least 4- 6 hours or more if the weather is humid.
TIP: Before applying the next coat of paint, check to make sure no dust or bugs have landed on the surface. If they have, just use your fingernail to gently remove them and smooth over the areas with your finger, then go over the surface with a tack cloth.
My light now looks like it has a right from the factory finish.
How to Make a Chandelier Chain Cover
While my light was down and I was waiting for the paint to dry, I took the chain cover apart that I had made for the light previously. I sewed the fabric into a long sleeve to cover the chain.
- The previous one was made using a method that doesn’t require removing the light fixture from the ceiling. You can find out how I made that one here – How to Make a Chandelier Chain Cover
Want more light fixture painting ideas?
- If you want to paint a shiny brass chandelier to look more rustic, check out this post:
- For more tips on spray painting to get a perfect painted finish, check out my Spray Painting FAQ page:
