Yesterday was a junking day, and a really good one at that. We all bought stuff we loved and at good prices, you just can't beat that! One of my purchases was this $58 brass chandelier. I needed one to light up my space at the upcoming Miss Frenchie's sale.
Today was definitely a perfect springtime day! 70's and sunny, and not too much of that Kansas wind. So, I took advantage of the sun, and took this chandy outside for a do-over.
Here's how:
1- Wipe off the dust, if it is really dirty, use Windex.
2- Now, this might sound like odd advice, but it really is smart and works. I've painted dozens of chandeliers and have found that this is the easiest way to go- screw burnt out light bulbs into the sockets before painting! That keeps the paint from getting into them, and is much simpler than using tape to cover the sockets. Really.
3- Spray with a BONDING primer. The label MUST say "bonding" or "will adhere to shiny surfaces."
4- Spray into all the nooks and crannies, let dry, turn over and spray that side. You will probably need to turn it around at least 3 or 4 times to get every angle.
5- Double check and see if you missed any spots!
6- Mix a deep brown paint (acrylic craft paint, like Apple Barrell or Delta) with some clear glaze.
7- Dab on the brown with a small, soft brush, doing one area at a time. Make sure you get it deep into all the cracks.
8-Lightly wipe away paint with a wet rag, leaving it in the recesses.
9- Repeat all over and all around the light. Just like when you sprayed the primer, turn it every direction and make sure you didn't miss any spots.
10- Go for an uneven, messy kind of finish, darker in some places than in others. You don't want it to look like it was done perfectly at a factory!
11- When dry, spray with a poly clear coat. And remember about flipping it over and going for every angle!
12- Add crystals, I prefer to use different sizes, not all uniform. If some of the holes are plugged with paint, poke through with a toothpick or small nail to clear it out.
Ta Da! Only 12 steps to a whole new look!
And please note, I didn't use just any spray paint. If you do that, the glaze will wipe off. It has to be a BONDING PRIMER for the water based glaze to stick!!!
what a great tutorial Karla!!! the chandelier looks so much prettier now:)
Posted by: Lori | March 16, 2009 at 08:01 PM
Thanks for the painting instructions Karla - I would never have thought to use burnt out globes. Look forward to seeing it all complete with crystals.
Hugs ~ Kerryanne
Posted by: Kerryanne English | March 16, 2009 at 08:19 PM
Miss Karla, you are the "Queen" of painting! What a fabulous "how to"!!! I would have never had thought to leave burnt out light bulbs in the sockets while painting. Genius!!!! :) XO, Jenn
Posted by: Jennifer | March 16, 2009 at 08:23 PM
Great instructions! tfs That's such a pretty chandelier, I can't wait to see it all foofed!
Posted by: debi @ life in my studio | March 16, 2009 at 08:24 PM
Thank you Karla! I have one sitting here beside me waiting to get painted... I loved seeing how you aged it. ;) I will let you know if I get mine done anytime soon.
xo heather
Posted by: Heather ~ Pretty Petals | March 16, 2009 at 08:33 PM
Awesome, Karla. I can't wait to see it with the Crystals!
Blessings,
Lorilee
Posted by: Lorilee | March 16, 2009 at 08:48 PM
well i just so happen to have one of those in my garage , not knowing what to do with it. In its next life it is going to be be rewired for a swag lamp which I need to get a kit for. it will get karlaized now because I wasnt sure until i saw your post. Am I ever glad i didnt get rid of it. Thanks for the inspiration. A 12 step program for an old lamp. Donna
Posted by: Donna | March 16, 2009 at 08:52 PM
THanks for the steps to this project! Can't wait to see your booth this year (online that is!).
Posted by: Ele at abitopinkheaven | March 16, 2009 at 09:04 PM
Lovely Karla, thanks for the tutorial! Rachaelxo
Posted by: Rachael | March 16, 2009 at 09:11 PM
Oh it's going to be beautiful when you have it all finished! What a super good price too! Lucky girl!
Hugs
Joanne
Posted by: Joanne Kennedy | March 16, 2009 at 09:17 PM
You never stop amazing me. This has me looking for a old chandy. Thanks for sharing. Can't wait to see it finished. Terri
Posted by: Terri | March 16, 2009 at 09:47 PM
Oh I truly want a chandeleir....now I know how to tissy it up I am sure to find one!
Thanks Karla,
Kiss Noises Linda
Posted by: Linda Lilly Cottage | March 16, 2009 at 09:48 PM
Too Fun!! I L*O*V*E spray paint. I have about 7 cans sitting in a row in my studio. I usually keep them in the garage but it has been too cold to use them right from the garage. I have them in the house so when the outside temp. hits above 50, I can grab my current project, drag out a big piece of cardboard and get to it! I have been watching the thermometer all week but it is NOT co-operating!! I can't wait to see your lamp all prettied up!
Blessings- LillySue
Posted by: LillySue | March 16, 2009 at 10:38 PM
Great chandelier! I can't wait to see where you hang it! Jen
Posted by: Jen R Sanctuary arts at home | March 16, 2009 at 10:50 PM
Very pretty and i'm sure your adorable Yorkie helped!
Posted by: Barbara Jacksier | March 16, 2009 at 11:17 PM
I really love your jewelry.....only us junkers now that it is not about the watch...working~ LOL
Love those necklaces....do you sell them on Etsy?
You always amaze me with your love for sugar wings...you are an outstanding grandma!!!! She gets to share such fun adventures with you :0)
Posted by: Sheri Ingrande | March 16, 2009 at 11:35 PM
I have a chandelier I got for $5 that I am working on. Isn't canned spray paint awesome??!! I do love the way yours turned out with the antique finish!!
*Hugs*
Sonia
Posted by: Sonia | March 16, 2009 at 11:55 PM
Thats an awesome makeover you did! Thanks for the tutorial I will have to try it. Spray paint ROCKS! Can't wait to see it lit up!
Posted by: Leslie | March 17, 2009 at 12:40 AM
Ok...out of the blue...it started letting me see typepad blog again...go figure.lol. Laurie
Posted by: lauriescharmingdesigns | March 17, 2009 at 01:20 AM
Karla, you are so perceptive. I have a chandie on the living room floor waiting for a new do. Thanks for the detailed directions and pictures. Since it is going to be 80+ tomorrow, and the rest of the week, (in case you just wanted to know,) I will heading out to the patio for an en"light"ening makeover. Thanks. Ellie
Posted by: Ellie | March 17, 2009 at 04:32 AM
I love how this chandelier turned out. I always keep the bulbs when they are 'broken'. One year I made some Christmas ornaments out of them, but I felt that I had too little. Since then (about 2 years) I'm saving them, in a hiding place of course, because hubby won't be pleased to discover 2 buckets of shells, 2 buckets of corks and 1 big box of not working lamps in that secret corner!
Posted by: LiLi M. | March 17, 2009 at 06:56 AM
AWESOME!!! love the great step-by-step pics. thank you. :)
Posted by: elyse | March 17, 2009 at 08:39 AM
Karla that is really awesome to show us how you re-do the paint:) and the result trun out so pretty atlast! Great job and i beg next time i may also re-do some of my picture frame hehe
xoxo
Zoe
Posted by: zoe | March 17, 2009 at 08:57 AM
I love this post - very fun and inspirational!
Posted by: TinkerVerve | March 17, 2009 at 10:05 AM
That's beautiful, Karla! And your weather sounds divine! We're lucky here if we reach the mid 40's!!!!
Posted by: beachy | March 17, 2009 at 10:15 AM
Oh Great post Karla!Thank you so much for this wonderful info.!
Hugs,
Amy
Posted by: Bunny Rose Cottage | March 17, 2009 at 11:32 AM
You have the BEST tutorials Karla...thanks! Lots of great tips for all kinds of projects in this one.
And just had to tell you...I followed your nest tutorial to the letter and when I was done, it actually looked like a nest! YAY! That made me smile all day, so thank you for that one too!
Posted by: Samantha | March 17, 2009 at 12:25 PM
Thanks for the great tutorial!! I have some chandeliers that I have to find time to do this!!
Posted by: Sheila R | March 17, 2009 at 12:27 PM
I wish I lived in an area that gave us sparkly choices like this for a makeover in the thrifty finds. This will be beautiful in your space I am sure. Enjoy the nice weather and happy St. Patrick's Day to you!
Posted by: Lisa | March 17, 2009 at 01:14 PM
Wow! Nicely done. I'm a furniture gal myself but you have inspired me to go for a chandelier the next time a catch a good buy!!!
Stephanie
Posted by: Stephanie | March 17, 2009 at 01:58 PM
What a beauty it turned out to be Karla! Twinks looked so cute .Is she still missing her babies?
Have a wonderful day,
Jean in Virginia
Posted by: Jean Eakin | March 17, 2009 at 02:16 PM
Wow! What a difference! It turned out beautiful!! Can't beat the price!
Posted by: robin | March 17, 2009 at 03:47 PM
Karla, I am looking for a new chandelier for our dining room. Maybe I should get you to shop for me. ;-)
Posted by: Beverly | March 17, 2009 at 04:58 PM
AWESOME! post....I have my eye on a chandelier just like that for only $70- it works and all...and I'm kind of acting like my husband does with wood for the chandelier:
don't paint.....I might after looking at how cool that is.....
Posted by: Anne Marie | March 17, 2009 at 06:18 PM
Wow, you are a genius to save the blown out bulbs for this purpose!!! I always have a time trying to get the tape all down in those holes...Thank you for the great advise! I have a chandelier just waiting to be painted and I am sure going to use your technique! Now, I can't wait to get started!!!
Posted by: milli wagoner | March 18, 2009 at 03:01 PM
Thank you for the hints,I have been on the hunt for one to paint! Makes sense about the bulbs and Bonding Paint! I owe you time NOT Lost!
Thank you for the great blog!
Posted by: Vicki | March 18, 2009 at 04:49 PM
Thanks for that tutorial...I have been on the hunt for an old chandelier to makeover for. Now I just need the chandelier to start!
Posted by: Caroline | March 29, 2009 at 09:15 AM
i just bought one on ebay yesterday and will definitely be using your tips...thanks so much!!!!
how will you be using yours in display?
i thought i would hang purses and aprons off of mine. i dunno.
anyway...
thanks for sharing!!
chasity
Posted by: chas at the wild raspberry | March 29, 2009 at 03:02 PM
I love love love your blog. you have so many amazing tutorials! I love the instructions on the chandelier. Thanks, Terri theglitterednest.typepad.com
Posted by: terri | April 21, 2009 at 07:01 PM
I'm not sure when you posted this Karla, but it is just what I need! I to purchased a chandelier that looks very similar to yours pictured here. I've debated painting it, but with this handy tutorial, and the great finished look you've achieved, I am feeling fearless! Thanks for this inspiration...
Posted by: Dede Warren | April 29, 2009 at 12:41 PM
Great info! Thanks so much:-)
Posted by: angelina | May 09, 2009 at 12:44 PM
Very Pretty! Great Tutorial!
Posted by: Susan | May 28, 2009 at 04:52 PM
Thank you for this. I just got an ugly brass chandy at a yard sale today for 3$. My 11 y.o. and I will paint it in a Hawaii blue for her beach-themed room. We needed these instructions. Kris
Posted by: Kristina | May 29, 2009 at 07:40 PM
I love this post. I bookmarked it a couple of months ago and just found a great chandy to do...it cost me all of 10.00 and has 60 of the clear crystals. I did the sponge paint it but wasn't sure if that is what you did with the white light covers? I have done one as a sample but not sure it looks good...maybe I just need to look at it a little longer. I still have 2 more to do, one for my granddaughter and one for me. Thanks so much for sharing this technique with us....Carol
Posted by: carol Shifflett | August 29, 2009 at 11:21 PM
Beautiful Web site and SO veeerry tasteful.
I'm gonna paint my chandelier !
Maria Cholanian
Posted by: Maria Cholanian | February 02, 2010 at 10:21 AM
do you find you need to use a gloss paint so its easier to dust after??? I am unsure where to go now....did mine oil rubbed bronze:) Your chand looks awesome!!!
Posted by: Karen | March 23, 2010 at 09:55 PM
Windex is an effective furniture cleaner, yes. This is wonderful, Karla. My wife and I are doing some redesigning of our living room and we'll be moving our library chandelier there so we're waiting for the electrician who would help us with the wiring. For the mean time, I think I'll be doing the repainting. I hope our St. Paul home will be beautiful with it.
Posted by: Victor Wetherbee | March 03, 2011 at 11:55 PM
Your Yorkie is smiling. Dogs can smile. People think not but my does all the time.
Posted by: Mike | October 23, 2012 at 08:06 PM
Doing this today in this perfect Kansas weather. Thank you so much for the tutorial, its awesome. I hope my chandelier looks just like yours!
Posted by: Brandi | June 27, 2015 at 03:56 PM
I have the exact same chair as in the second last picture!! Where did you get it?
Posted by: Linda MacGregor | January 16, 2016 at 12:41 PM
I got lucky and found that chair at a garage sale for a dollar, Linda. Very lucky!
Posted by: Karla Nathan | January 16, 2016 at 03:59 PM