Ideas for Painting Light Fixtures

Repair

• The simplest paint job is one that restores a light fixture to what it looked like when it was new, without changing its character. You can do this by carefully scraping off any loose or flaking paint, giving the surface of the fixture a light sand, then priming and painting it with the same color paint that it was originally. A high-quality oil-based primer and finish paint will leave the light fixture with a glossy and durable surface. An airbrush or spray can leave a smooth finish; a paintbrush will give the fixture a more handmade look.

New Look

• Change the character of a light fixture by using paint with a different color and sheen to give it new life. You can rescue a light fixture that had a bad or inappropriate paint job by stripping off the paint with sandpaper or a putty knife, then replacing it with a carefully applied coat of high-quality paint. Create a formal look by using gloss black paint or an unusual effect with brightly colored paints in different colors. If the fixture has carvings or molded metal, accent these features by painting them different colors.

Styles

• Paint the light fixture in a historic style, for example, by highlighting its details with bright colors as is done on the exterior of many Victorian mansions, or use your imagination and make up a style of your own. Dark background colors can be accented with bursts of color at various points on the fixture. Primary colors can be used to create a lively and playful effect for a child's room. In addition to colors, use paint effects such as swirling, stippling and sponging to create textural surfaces that will interact with the light coming from the bulbs on the fixture.

Techniques

• When applying paint, the most common options are rollers, brushes, spray techniques or dipping. A roller isn't practical for a light fixture because of the small parts and complex surfaces. Dipping is usually reserved for commercial settings. This leaves spraying and brushing, both of which you can easily do at home. When spraying, take care to keep your coats as thin as possible to avoid drips. It's better to apply two or three coats of very thin paint than one thick coat that is more likely to run. When using a brush, avoid leaving brush marks by thinning the paint slightly.

Things to Avoid

• Be careful not to get paint in the light socket, as doing this could interfere with the functioning of the bulb. Whether using a brush or a spray technique, carefully tape over all parts of the fixture that you don't want painted. Never try to paint a light fixture in place unless there's absolutely no way to remove it. Setting it on a work bench will make the painting job much easier and give better results. If possible, remove any glass components rather than trying to paint around them.