Painting Your Fixture Parts with a Metalic Finish

When refurbishing lighting fixture parts, it can be a challenge to restore them to their natural beauty. Sometimes the easiest and best thing to do is to paint over the fixture parts. This can be a bit tricky to do, but with clean fixture parts and some metallic spray paint, you can get the job done. 

Tools and materials

• Metallic spray paint
• Screwdriver
• Fine sandpaper
• Painter’s tape
• Paint primer
• Newspaper
• Mask

 Remove Fixture and Fixture Parts

First you will need to remove the actual fixture in order to protect your ceiling and walls from the paint. Also, it is easier to do the spray painting in a ventilated area. Before removing the fixture, turn off your power to prevent the chance of electrical shock. Unscrew the plate that protects the wires.  Once done, you will need to unwire the fixture to remove. Once the light fixture is down, remove or cover any fixture parts that you do not want to paint.

Clean the Light Fixture

Before painting, clean the light fixture and light fixture parts with a mild detergent and water. Once clean, use a fine grade of sandpaper to sand away any rough spots or signs of corrosion.  Rinse the light fixture, taking care not to get the socket area wet. The light fixture must be completely dry before you can start painting.

Protect the Wires

Wrap the wires and the fixture’s socket individually in painter’s tape to protect them while painting. By wrapping them, you don’t have to be as careful when painting, so the job will take less time.

Prime Fixture and Fixture Parts

The light fixture will need to be primed before you can paint it. Set your fixture down on the newspaper to protect any surfaces while priming and painting. Put on a mask to prevent inhaling any fumes and always paint in a well ventilated area. Holding the can of primer approximately 4 to 6 inches away from the fixture, apply the primer by spraying in small spurts. Applying the primer by spraying it all on at once will result in running.  Once you have applied a thin coat to the entire fixture, let it dry completely.

Paint Fixture

Holding the spray paint can approximately 4 to 6 inches from the light fixture, spray the paint on in small burst, as you did with the primer.  Once you have applied a light coat of paint to the entire fixture, let it dry. For a darker color, apply a second coat.

Once the paint is completely dry, reattached any fixture parts that were removed and re-hang the lighting fixture.