Painting Metal
Learn to paint a metal lamp with the right paint and prep work.
![Painting Metal Lamp Makeover- At Home with The Barkers](https://athomewiththebarkers.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Painting-Metal-Lamp-Makeover-At-Home-with-The-Barkers.jpg)
Is it possible to paint metal. YES, it is possible! I have a couple of great tips that will make painting metal easier for you. For my example of painting metal I am showing you my lamp makeover. I’ve had this lamp for a long time and since lamps can get very expensive I love to just make them over.
A makeover can change a room or at least give you a different look while you save money for something new.
As you can see, this metal lamp is dark and needed an update. I like it because its very sturdy and it has that great swivel arm. I am thinking I may want a new one soon but it has looked pretty good this way for the past few months since it’s makeover. Here is what it looked like before.
![Painting Metal-Lamp Makeover Before](https://athomewiththebarkers.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Painting-Metal-Lamp-Makeover-Before-700x1056.jpg)
If I can get by without moving anything to paint, I DO! This was pretty simple and all I had to do was place a trash bag under the lamp so I didn’t paint the floor too. I’ve been known, a time or two, to paint an entire room without a drop cloth…drives the hubs crazy but I’m always so excited to get the new color up. I don’t recommend it, paint and carpet aren’t friends.
![Painting Metal Lamp Before](https://athomewiththebarkers.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Painting-Metal-Lamp-Before-700x933.jpg)
You can use spray paint for painting metal, I have done it but I have found that chalk finish paint works great. For this lamp makeover I used some of my homemade chalk finish paint that I had saved from a client project.
That is just the sample size paint that I got for free from Lowe’s with one of those magazine tear out coupons. Love those! I wrote myself a note in purple marker on the container so I would know it’s DIY paint with plaster of paris.
![Painting Metal-Distressing details for lamp makeover](https://athomewiththebarkers.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Painting-Metal-with-homemade-chalk-finish-paint-700x463.jpg)
I painted 2 coats on this lamp not entirely covering all of the surface. I knew I wanted it distressed so this helped saved me time. Here is the important tip for distressing painted metal, use a damp cloth NOT sand paper. Metal will scratch and you don’t want that. Take a damp cloth and rub over the areas you want distressed just as you would sand paper. Be sure to do this before you wax. This is really a great technique even with wood, it cuts down dust you get when you sand chalk finish paint with sand paper.
![Painting Metal lamp base](https://athomewiththebarkers.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Painting-Metal-lamp-base-700x1056.jpg)
![Painting Metal-Distressing details for lamp makeover](https://athomewiththebarkers.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Painting-Metal-Distressing-details-for-lamp-makeover-700x463.jpg)
Here is a side by side photo for better reference. I also swapped out the lamp shade for one I already had on another lamp that I had given my sister. I think I need a tiny round table there or maybe a plant.
![Painting Metal Lamp Makeover Before and After](https://athomewiththebarkers.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Metal-Lamp-Before-and-After-700x700.jpg)
Here is more lamp inspiration for you:
![Blog Signature-Charcoal, Gold](https://athomewiththebarkers.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Blog-Signature-Charcoal-Gold.jpg)
The new color brings a lot of light to the room – even when the lamp is off!
Thanks, white was a great choice I think too!
I think i like it better white,thanks for this post,now i’m thinking what have i got that needs to be up dated with paint.lol
Great idea Marsha! I’ll have to start keeping those on hand too.
Sonya, love the lamp. I also use Baby wipes for distressing. Keep a pack with my paint all the time. Beats the dust from sanding!
Marsha