How to Paint a Light Fixture

Use paint to create a verdigris finish on a new light fixture. Follow these step-by-step instructions.

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Filed under: Indoor Lighting, Interior Painting, How To, Lighting, Painting and Finishing, Decorating

Make a new light fixture look old using various paint layers for a beautiful verdigris finish.

Materials:

painter's tape
sandpaper
acrylic artist's paint (green and burnt umber)
clear satin acrylic sealer
tack cloth
rags

Steps:

1. Tape over the sockets and any other areas that you don't want to paint, and then lightly sand the fixture so paint will adhere. Remove the dust with a tack cloth or damp rag.

Figure A

2. Rub an earthy green color all over the fixture with your fingers and let it dry. Apply some burnt umber in the same way but allow some of the green to show through (use a damp rag to wipe off any excess if necessary) (figure A).

3. Once dry, spray it with sealer to keep the finish from rubbing off.
4. Once dry, remove the tape and reinstall the fixture.