How to Paint a Chandelier

Recently I moved into a home with a very nice chandelier in the dining room. The only problem was that it was covered in a cheap looking gold color. I wanted to update the appearance with a fresh coat of paint that matched the color of the walls.

First I removed the chandelier from the ceiling. I began by shutting the power off at the circuit breaker, then flipped the light switch for the chandelier to make sure it was off. I then removed the chandelier making sure that there were no live wires inside the chandelier wall box. I used an electrical tester to make sure the black wire in the box was not hot.

I then gathered the tools and items that I would need to complete the job.

Item and Tool List

Blue painter's tape

Spray-paint primer for metal

Spray paint

Steel wool

rags and tack cloth

New glass light covers

Electricity tester

fabric and sewing machine to make fabric covering for chain

First I removed all the light bulbs and glass covers on the chandelier.

I then used a rag to clean the chandelier thoroughly. I made sure to get all the dust and grime that I could off.

Next I used the Steel wool to rough up the surface of the chandelier. I then used the tack cloth to completely remove all dust and remaining debris.

I used the painters tape to mask off the light bulb receptacles as I did not want to get any paint in them.

I then hung the chandelier from a ladder and put an old bed sheet behind and under the chandelier to block over spraying of the paint.

I made sure there was plenty of lighting and ventilation in the area where I was going to paint.

I started painting by first applying a spray primer onto the chandelier. I used several light coats of the primer being careful not to allow drips. If I had drips, I wiped them up with the rag and re-sprayed the area. Once done, I let the chandelier dry.

Once dry I sprayed on the top coat using several light coats again being careful to avoid dripping.

I sewed a fabric covering to hid the chandelier chain. To make this I sewed a narrow fabric tube twice the length of the chandelier chain and then slid it over the chain prior to hanging the chandelier.

I then re hung the chandelier and installed new bulbs and glass covers.