One of the projects at the top of my list this month was to replace the outdated brass light fixtures in Monkey Boy’s bedroom and my craft room. Maybe brass fixtures were all the rage when this house was built 20 years ago, but let me tell you Bob, they are just not my style.
My original plan was to simply buy a couple of similar new ceiling mount fixtures in a brushed bronze finish to match the hardware on the bedroom doors. But when I stopped by the Home Depot to see what the choices were in my price range, I was not impressed. Spending $35 a pop for roughly the same fixture {but in a different finish} just did not appeal to me.
As I stood in the lighting section trying to figure out what to do, fate stepped in when a man walked by with a can of spray paint. Ah-ha! And then it occurred to me I could probably save myself some serious dough if I just spray painted the brass fixtures instead of buying new ones.
Supplies I used to Spray Paint My Brass Light Fixtures
- Rust-Oleum Metallic Spray Paint {Oil Rubbed Bronze}
- Fine sanding block
- 2″ Blue tape
- Kraft paper
Here’s how I did it:
First, I unscrewed the brass stopper and removed the glass light from the light fixture. I thought I would be able to remove the entire fixture to paint it but quickly realized I could not {since I don’t have any electrical skills whatsoever}. But that did not stop me.
After removing the glass and the stopper I slid craft paper underneath the edges and around the brass fixture tapping the paper to the ceiling as I went along. I then gently rubbed the sanding block around the brass ring and the stopper to rough it up a bit so the paint would adhere better {but not enough to leave any scratches}. 
I then sprayed one coat of paint on the parts. Waited one hour until I was sure the paint was dry, and then painted a second coat. {I should have removed the light bulbs as well but I was so excited to get started that I forgot}. Once I was happy with the coverage, I let everything sit for another full 24 hours to cure. This is a pretty important step, because while they are dry to the touch, the paint is still super susceptible to chips, etc. before it has cured.
Then next I put the fixture back together
Not to shabby if you ask me. 🙂
I paid about $7 for one can of spray and it was enough to paint 2 light fixtures. 2 new fixtures would have set me back $70 + tax. So we’re talking about a 90% savings. Pretty freakin’ cool if you ask me. 😉
How do you think they turned out? Better? Worse? Worth the time to save a few bucks?
~Mavis
Jenn says
The hubby and I bought a foreclosure about a year and a half ago. Had their been any fixtures left to paint, I would have done this in a heart beat. Instead I spent hundreds of dollars on new doorhandles, hinges, light fixtures, ceiling fans, you name it. I still can’t figure out why they took door hinges.
Mavis Butterfield says
They were probably mad and just took everything. 🙁
Gwenn says
Could be for scrap….anything that can be pried off can be sold for scrap or to a “salvage” company for a few bucks. Or because it was a foreclosure the people took everything of value they possibly could while they were still in the house or just to be destructive. We moved to metro Detroit a year ago and the scrappers are a huge problem in this area (probably like other cities) with all of the foreclosed and abandoned homes.
LILLI says
I paid 4000.00 for my foreclosure. For that price I would have jumped in and helped them unscrew everything they wanted. I need to do this with all my lighting. I just can’t decide what exactly is IN at the moment. Any thoughts?
Peg says
It doesn’t matter what’s in ; what’s in your heart & what do you love??
Tracy L. says
Wow. That. Is. Awesome. Never even would have thought to paint fixtures!!! They look great!!! AND save money, priceless!
Ann says
Your light look much nicer. You may want to be sure you only use florescent or low heat lamps (not that you can even find incandesent anymore). I just bought a new flush mount light for my entry way in from the garage, and I asked the salesperson about painting the base because the hardware clips that hold the shade in place are black, but the base itself is whilte. She said to be sure and use heat-resistent spray paint. I ended up liking the white base because it just blends into the ceiling, but I think the heat-resistent paint is a good idea. It is what I used to cover up all the brass on my fireplace surround. That was a major project that took 2 weekends because I had to completely dismantle it to paint part by part, but it turned out nice and saved me about 2 grand.
sara says
Hi Ann…if possible, i would love to see the pics of your painted fireplace. Thanks
Leslie says
Huh! I never thought to do this in-place, rather than take the fixture off the ceiling. Smart!
Rosaleen says
Congrats on a job well done!
Heather says
This is my #1 tip to make your house look more current! You can also paint exterior light fixtures, cabinet door hardware, old chandeliers and even those gross brass fireplace doors (high temp spray paint for grills). Have fun!
Jennifer says
Can you paint door handles? We have ugly brass door handles and everything else is oil bronze.
Kaia says
They look great!
Jennifer says
I have the same light fixtures in my house, I’m so doing this project!!! Thanks for the inspiration! I’m going to see if I can do that to my old door knobs as well!!!
Heidi P says
Excellent improvement. Looks great. I sprayed a chandelier in my office last summer (in place). I even tented it down to the floor so their wouldn’t be any overspray and I am still finding spray paint dust in places around the office. Sneaky stuff.
Katherine says
Sorry, I know this is an old post, but I’m curious how the chandelier turned out? We’re you happy with the finish (minus the overspray)? Did you sand everything before painting or just parts?
I want to paint my LARGE chandelier but getting a little scared. I’d cost me clots to a grand (if not more) to replace. Nothing wrong with it…except the colour!!
Mavis Butterfield says
I’m very happy with the way it turned out. I didn’t sand anything. 🙂
Tracie H says
They look awesome! That’s the first thing I did when we moved into our house six years ago.
Ellen C says
Yes, this was totally worth the effort. The light fixtures look fantastic!
Jeanne says
I like it. Unfortunately the fixtures in our house were really cheap and not worth re-finishing. I did update the doorbell box (almond color) with a new coat of bright white. It looks brand-spanking new.
Pamela says
Love this idea! I have that same light. Shamefully, I must admit, I am the one that bought it back in the day when brass was all the rage. I’ve been thinking about replacing some of my fixtures for this very reason but this is a much more cost effective idea! Excited!!!!
Mary Neathway says
We did this on our 180’s door knobs and they looked great.. … for awhile. Should have put a clear coat over them, perhaps, because the knobs that are used the most- like the one on the exterior door- now have the oiled bronze chipping off, showing the darling “gold” tones underneath. Time for another spring project, should spring ever come
Nicole says
Were you happy with how the color came out…your oil rubbed bronze looks a bit black? I have considered using this product but wasn’t sure about the color.
Cari says
Yes I would like to know the answer to this as well. I am thinking about painting a chandelier and thought that the oil rubbed bronze may come out too blackish.
Mavis Butterfield says
It’s not black. Probably just hard to tell from the photo but it is dark. I really like how the color turned out.
Gwenn says
Oh I like it Mavis….I like it a lot. The house we bought has several of the gold tone ones that I’ve been ignoring by not looking up because, like you, I don’t want to spend the cash to replace them with something similar but not in gold. You are a genius!!
Mavis Butterfield says
$7 bucks!!! Way better than $70. Go for it!
Vy says
Oh, I can’t tell you how much stuff I’ve fixed with spray paint! I got some chrome just last week to spray my vintage knobs and trim in the kitchen, worked like a charm. I love the plastic bond stuff too, which rejuvenated an outdoor table and also turned an old Ikea lamp into garden art (the flower shaped one). Anyway, your lamp looks like it was made that way, very nice!
Gwen in L.A. says
Hmmm. I have a 20 year old floor lamp, in brass that could use a new look. Thanks for the idea and inspireation.
Sallie says
Awesome! I’m inspired. My fireplace doors are in big trouble 😉
Diana says
Great minds think alike, right? I did my light switches and outlets to match, too. Also refreshed our old rusty ceiling ac vents with a rattle-can of primer.
Amanda says
So funny. We have the very exact same brass light fixture in the house we just bought, but it’s in the kitchen. My husband was all for spray painting it. I’m thinking it’s great for a bedroom light, not so much for the kitchen. Good to know that it spray paints well and we can maybe use it in another part of the house.
Abbey says
Did you cover the rest of the room to keep spray from drifting down onto the floor and furniture?
Mavis Butterfield says
I put a canvas tarp down, yes.
Jodi says
How did you deal with the overspray falling on the floor? Was there much? I’m more worried about that than the ceiling. I want to do all my lights that look EXACTLY like the ugly brass.
Julia says
My brother got a new light fixtur for their fining room and passed his old brass chandelier on yo me. Only I don’t like brass so I spray painted it silver. It turned out great!!
Lu says
Hi, it’s Lu, I have the whole bathroom the gold shiny with mirrors on the flat base.
Anyway can that paint get wet or is it like the door knob person above where it rubs off? I have faucet and bathtub fixtures that need the same thing. How would I do those? Someone told me I could get the parts in a different color but haven’t found anything to support that. Any advice would be appreciated.
Val says
This is funny because I just did this (not having seen this post before).
I saw an exact replica of my light but in bronze for sale at Lowes. I had the paint because I was going to spray the door hinges to match door handles I purchased to replace the knobs. Then I found bronze hinges. I was not as wise to the width of spray paint, so I did have to repaint my ceiling a few times, but I did this with the exact same paint. It’s an amazingly cheap and easy way to update anything … thinking about doing it to the kitchen light left by the old owners.
Jean says
I want to paint my ceiling lights as well. I was hoping to find a paint I could brush on, since I don’t know about my taping skills to keep the ceiling/walls/floors from getting spray painted.
Peg says
I am petrified that no matter how much I tape & cover, that spray paint (dark ) will somehow slip by!
I found beautiful bronze ( shade lighter than ORB) metallic paint in small jars at Michael’s & for $1.39 will have new light fixture; plan on taping like she did, sanding & then just brushing on!
lalalaa says
So glad this old (comments from 2015) post showed up! I am putting my house on the market. I have switched out a number of light fixtures, but not all. I know that matching light fixtures will show better and will be doing this to the old brass fixtures so they’ll all match — Thanks!!
Crissy says
Thank you
That’s exactly the same light fixture that i have. Good work