DIY Oil-Rubbed Bronze
This is one of the oldest DIY tricks in the book, updating brass or gold fixtures to oil-rubbed bronze. You won’t believe how easy it is! Face it, we all have them….ugly brass or gold light fixtures, door handles, bathroom knobs, brass lamps, etc. Most anything could easily be updated to a beautiful oil-rubbed bronze in a matter of minutes.
In my case we have these:
Remedy:
Rust-Oleum Universal All Surface Spray Paint, Oil Rubbed Bronze Metallic
Retailing for approx $8-$10, this is pure magic in a can!
Carefully take down the light fixture. If you are unfamiliar with electrical wiring, call in help! Have an expert or someone you know that understands how electricity works take down the fixture for you. In my case, that would be my dear husband. If you purchase the paint in the image above, Rust-Oleum Universal All Surface Spray Paint, Oil Rubbed Bronze Metallic
I’ve even seen images of exterior door handles, and door knockers on Pinterest that have been transformed from faded ugly brass to a sleek oil rubbed bronze using the same paint I’ve used here.
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I would suggest leaving your old light bulbs in or stuffing the light sockets with tissue paper or old newspaper to keep paint from getting inside the sockets.
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In a solid sweeping motion begin to spray paint the fixture.
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Make sure to allow enough drying time before reinstalling./
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{PIN IT!}
Our finished product, although the dome is still covered with etched flowers, it’s much easier on the eyes and up to date. This is a great example of an inexpensive way to spruce up your home one step at a time! Next time, try your gold kitchen knobs, or that brass lamp in the corner. Check out other DIY projects here.
You may also want to try this simple DIY Lampshade Revamp with Spray Paint.
Or make this DIY Cake Stand/Jewelry Catch All/
I’m Amber Anderson, I am a pastors wife, mom of 2 lovely boys, and an avid DIY’er. I post regularly about DIY projects, crafts and family life.
Robin says
April 11, 2012 at 8:31 pmI needed this right now!!! Awesome idea!!! THANK YOU!!!!
Sheannon says
April 12, 2012 at 9:04 amAwesome idea…Thanks!
Kelly says
April 12, 2012 at 9:14 amGreat idea! We did this with the door handle and dead bolt on our French doors. The price of a new handle and lock was in the $45-$50 range. We bought the silver spray to match the handles in our kitchen and it turned out great.
Lynn Chapman says
April 12, 2012 at 9:21 amI just finished this project throughout my home. Hinges, knobs, tub, shower and light fixtures. Looks amazing and seems to be wearing very well. I primed each item with a car primer from Pep Boys to insure wear-ability. I love the updated look. I’m about to tackle the shower doors. Wish me luck!!
Jamie says
April 12, 2012 at 1:01 pmwe want pictures lynn!!! So happy you tried it!
Jen says
February 9, 2017 at 10:25 amHey Lynn, how has the paint job held up. I’m especially interested in the shower fixtures since those are in a wet high use area.
Mom2NOLA says
April 19, 2012 at 11:32 pmWe did the same thing to our bathroom light and our floor vents…made a HUGE difference for under $10!
peggy says
June 9, 2012 at 12:04 pmI am going to try to find this spray. I tried Brown spray on my old brass lamps and am not happy with the look. This is the look I want THANKS
Toodie says
July 15, 2012 at 10:53 amExactly what I was looking for to cover our brass light fixtures – I hate them! Thanks!
Laura says
October 7, 2012 at 10:20 pmUse this on your tacky old brass candlesticks too, ya’ll!!
christy says
August 5, 2012 at 6:56 pmwant to paint soem brass lamps.what other colors can you use?
Michelle I says
August 5, 2012 at 8:44 pmI did this 2 years ago in my kitchen. Painted the hinges & the knobs to all the cabinets. Super easy to do & looks wonderful!! So much cheaper than buying new.
Denise says
August 6, 2012 at 9:44 pmI can not wait to try this! Thanks for posting!
Tina says
September 16, 2012 at 12:42 amjust did all the door handles around the house and they look great!
Natalie says
September 18, 2012 at 2:31 amI’m so going to do this to my brass headboard! Thanks!!
Heather says
September 25, 2012 at 11:06 pmI wish I had thought of this before we went out last month and bought all next ceiling fixtures!! Well now I know, and I will get all the door knobs instead 🙂
Jody says
September 30, 2012 at 4:30 pmThank you so much. We have 1980 brass hinges and I can’t find new ones to match current drill holes. Too much work to fill holes and drill new just to update, will use your idea for all my brass hinges. Thanks!
Jody says
October 13, 2012 at 11:18 amThanks so much. Thanks to you, I did all 5 of our ceiling lights and there is still paint in the can. I learned how to turn off the power and took them down with minimal help from hubby. I didn’t leave the light bulbs in but instead wrapped the sockets with tinfoil. Huge difference. Good bye brass!
kelly says
November 11, 2012 at 4:58 pmJust tried this today. I did 2 light fixtures and some drawer knobs. Still have plenty of paint left and plan to do more next weekend. BIG difference. Looks great! Thank you tor the idea.
Robin says
December 2, 2012 at 11:32 amThanks for this post. Will be getting this for my kitchen.
Kaye says
December 27, 2012 at 10:56 pmClean with white vinegar before spraying, finish will hold up longer.
George says
February 6, 2013 at 12:19 amWhy not just buy a new light for $14 from Lowes that looks almost the same as the finished product? Unless they don’t have the color you are wanting…
Valerie says
March 18, 2013 at 10:48 pmProbably because you can cover multiple “ugly” fixtures for $4-$6 cheaper than buying ONE new light… at least that would be the case for my house (so much ugly gold – all over the place… *shudder).
ashley says
April 8, 2013 at 3:27 pmnot to mention updating your current and fully functional fixtures is better than buying new which is a waste of money and tossing the old ones which just adds to landfill waste. Why would you rather buy new when you can make what you’ve got better?
Shelly says
May 5, 2013 at 9:05 pmCan you use this on brushed nickel doorknobs, hinges, and faucets?
Kyra says
February 4, 2014 at 11:36 amLove this idea. We have silver fixtures everywhere in my house, and It just doesn’t go with the warm feel I’m trying to create. Would this work for silver chandeliers? Wall sconces?
Kasey says
February 4, 2014 at 4:23 pmI’m not sure as I haven’t tried it, but I don’t see why not.
Gary says
August 8, 2014 at 11:15 pmI did my light fixtures as you did, and a chandelier, and my doorknobs, and my hinges, and even bath fixtures.
Jamie says
August 8, 2014 at 11:36 pmAwesome! How’d they turn out?
Jane says
January 6, 2015 at 11:06 pmYour light fixture looks awesome. Thanks for posting this. I was looking for a spray paint recommendation for my dining room “goldtone shiny” chandelier. The local re-store here is loaded w/old goldtone fixtures and won’t even accept them from remodelers. :/
Margaret says
August 23, 2016 at 8:43 amDoes this product come in a can? I would rather paint from a can, than spray.
Kasey says
August 24, 2016 at 1:36 pmNot that I am aware. For this type of application, spray would work much better.
Linda says
May 29, 2017 at 7:21 pmIt does come in a can. Looks good on door hardware.. don’ t know how it will hold up.