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:
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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 on MotherhoodMusings.com, and you can find me and all my projects over here!
I needed this right now!!! Awesome idea!!! THANK YOU!!!!
Awesome idea…Thanks!
Great 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.
I 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!!
we want pictures lynn!!! So happy you tried it!
Hey 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.
We did the same thing to our bathroom light and our floor vents…made a HUGE difference for under $10!
I 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
Exactly what I was looking for to cover our brass light fixtures – I hate them! Thanks!
Use this on your tacky old brass candlesticks too, ya’ll!!
want to paint soem brass lamps.what other colors can you use?
I 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.
I can not wait to try this! Thanks for posting!
just did all the door handles around the house and they look great!
I’m so going to do this to my brass headboard! Thanks!!
I 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 🙂
Thank 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!
Thanks 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!
Just 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.
Thanks for this post. Will be getting this for my kitchen.
Clean with white vinegar before spraying, finish will hold up longer.
Why 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…
Probably 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).
not 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?
Can you use this on brushed nickel doorknobs, hinges, and faucets?
Love 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?
I’m not sure as I haven’t tried it, but I don’t see why not.
I did my light fixtures as you did, and a chandelier, and my doorknobs, and my hinges, and even bath fixtures.
Awesome! How’d they turn out?
Your 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. :/
Does this product come in a can? I would rather paint from a can, than spray.
Not that I am aware. For this type of application, spray would work much better.
It does come in a can. Looks good on door hardware.. don’ t know how it will hold up.