How to Update a Ceiling Fan with Paint

Ceiling fans can be pricey, especially good quality ceiling fans. But purchasing the best ceiling fan you can afford is money well spent. Ceiling fans help to increase the comfort level and air quality of a room. Good air circulation is often all it takes to make a room instantly feel more comfortable. If the ceiling fan has a light fixture, it adds another layer of utility to a room.

But how many times have you spent a lot of money on a quality ceiling fan that's still perfectly functional but now the appearance is dated? It's easier than you think to update a quality ceiling fan with paint instead of shopping for a new one. As long as the fan's motor is still in good working condition, it's worth putting the time and effort into painting the ceiling fan.

Stay safe by turning off the power to the ceiling fan and then take it down. It's going to require a thorough cleaning to get it prepped for paint. Take the time to do this part correctly and your updated ceiling fan will look as good as new. The fan motor is the most important part of the ceiling fan, so give any visible areas a good cleaning with a brush and vacuum while it's down from the ceiling. Remove the metal cover and take the light kit apart. This would also be the perfect time to get new light shades to further enhance the updated look of the ceiling fan.

In my case, a bright brass colored ceiling fan was past its prime. Shiny brass is being replaced with the dark brown that's meant to resemble the oil-rubbed bronze that's popular right now. Brushed nickel would be another stylish alternative to gold or brass.

The shiny metal parts of the brass ceiling fan are often sprayed with a clear coat of protective varnish. So unless the shine is removed, the new paint won't adhere. Use a fine grit sandpaper to remove the shiny finish until the entire surface appears dull. I keep disposable dust masks on hand for just such a purpose. Remove the dust with a vacuum and then a towel dampened in denatured alcohol.

Use painters tape to cover any areas that won't be painted including the bulb sockets in the light fixtures. Now the ceiling fan is ready to be updated with a new coat of spray paint. It's always better to spray several thin coats of paint than one or two thick coats. The coverage will be more consistent and there will be much less chance of the paint getting drip marks. Don't forget to paint the screws that were removed so they will blend in with the new finish. Stick the screws into a small cardboard box so they will be easy to spray paint.

Allow plenty of time for the newly updated ceiling fan to dry before reinstalling it. The amount of time it will take for the parts to dry completely depends on the temperature and humidity. It's better to allow extra time than to get in a rush only to find the paint hasn't cured completely and now the new finish is scratched.

This is the time to decide if you like the fan blades or want to give those an update as well. They can just as easily be cleaned and spray painted as well. This is another way to further update and change the appearance of the ceiling fan. Now instead of spending a small fortune on a new ceiling fan, you can have an updated one for the cost of a can or two of spray paint.