Painting Metal

Learn to paint a metal lamp with the right paint and prep work.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Here is more lamp inspiration for you:

• Thrift Store Lamp Makeover
• Painted Lamp Shade
• DIY Brushstroke Lamp