Major Lamp Upgrade

Major Lamp Upgrade 

We all have a relative or two with a house full of old, metal lamps. You know the ones I am talking about, they are usually brass with some discoloration or chrome with some weird spots. And usually, those relatives want to give you all their antique stuff. While some people see it as an annoyance, I see it as AMAZING. These old lamps have such intricate and unique shapes and make for a beautiful 're-fab' project.

Step 1: Acquire It. Find an old metal lamp that you like the shape of. If you don't have any offered to you, thrift stores are absolutely full of them. Here is one of the lamps in the set we were given. As you can see, it is not the most appealing item in the world.

Step 2: Buff It. You can use any sandpaper for this. All you need to do is remove all the shine and smooth surfaces from the lamp. I've found it is easier to use flexible sand paper sheets. They are a bit more pricy than regular sandpaper but are easier to maneuver on non-box shapes and last far longer than the regular paper. You can find flexible sand paper at any hardware store and often at Wal-mart. I would recommend 3M 150 grit flexible sanding sheets but any brand will work.

Step 3: Dust It. This is a very important step. You must ensure that any and all dust from the sanding process is removed. Any residue left on the surface will show up during the painting process.

Step 4: Tape It. Use masking or painter's tape to tape everything you don't want to paint. Tape over any hardware and the chord. Make sure to tape the chord to at least six inches from the lamp to avoid any accidental paint. Put paper towel tightly in the light bulb socket to keep paint from getting into the area.

Step 5: Spray It. I have found that with most projects, spray paint is the best way to avoid paint lines in your work. Metal especially is very unforgiving when it comes to showing paint lines. When doing lamps, I prefer to use a matte finish spray. It makes the lamp appear to be intricate wood work rather than plastic or metal. You can find a wide selection of spray paint at all hardware stores. I absolutely LOVE working with Rust-Oleum for these projects.  It covers everything and is a paint and primer in one so it covers with less product.

• Wear project clothes. Spray paint does just that, sprays. It will get on you. 
• Spray the lamp outside! The fumes of this process can be harmful in a poorly ventilated environment. 
• Hold the can about 6 inches from the lamp and spray in a horizontal motion all the way around and from top to bottom. Keep the spray moving at all times. If you leave the spray in one area too long, it will cause clumps or drips. Then spray vertically to ensure full coverage. You may want to have someone hold it upside down for you to ensure you get every inch. 
• Let it dry for the required 'cure time' specified on the can (usually 24 hours) and then repeat the process.

Our project only needed two coats of paint per lamp and we used about one can per lamp. You may need more than two coats, it just depends on the project. 

Step 6: Fab It. Find lamp shades that you love to go with these lamps. We happened to have a Target gift card when we did ours so we found some there. I've found, however that Ross is usually the best place to find new, stylish lamp shades for usually under $10 each. 

Step 7: Show It. Display your work proudly! Just enjoy the looks on people's faces when they ask where you got your BEAUTIFUL lamps and you say, "I made them."