Shabby Chandelier Make Over

Cherie Aldridge Vickers
by Cherie Aldridge Vickers
4 Materials
$45
4 Hours
Easy
I found an older chandelier on the cheap. I didn't know if it was going to work or if all the pieces were there, but I figured it I could try to make something to go into the big girl's room. I think she is going to be super surprised when she gets home from college for the summer!
6 arm chandelier in need of some TLC.
Step one: I removed all the crystals -yes, they are real crystal as I managed to cut myself on a broken one within minutes of digging it out of the box!


For the crystals, the greasy, nasty electrical lines and the body, I used good old Dawn dish soap and hot water - and of course, wore gloves!


I also removed the covers for the bulb holders and scrubbed them too!
Dismanteling
We hung it to take it apart!
I tried take these off in order....
I taped up the crystal and inserted paper towels to help cover the electric lines during the cleaning. Yes, I used painter's tape!
Prep
Dawn dish detergent and hot water!
Scrub, scrub and scrub...


now, how was I going to paint this?


My hubby hung up the chandelier in the garage and removed the cars, clearing a nice work area.


He also rigged up an old coat hanger to hold the base covers for painting too!
Old coat hanger for bases!
It was time for the painting to begin and my hubby took over. He used a metallic nickle spray paint. He sprayed about 4 light coats, letting each dry in-between. He was slow and methodical, shaking the can the entire time.
After the first several coats of paints, the color was really shaping up!
Nickle metallic spray paint
It took about 6 light coats to complete the job! It took about 2 coats to do the base covers. I then re-assembled the strings of crystals in some sort of order....
Ready to hang
In the big girl's room! shhhhhh
Hanging time!
and voila!
It was a lot of fun to do this...
Suggested materials:
  • Chandelier   (garage sale)
  • Brushed Nickle Spray Paint   (Limeberry Lumber)
  • Black Spray Paint   (Limeberry Lumber)
See all materials
Frequently asked questions
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  2 questions
  • Bink Bink on May 30, 2016
    What is the picture above her be Done?
  • Sandra K Salisbury Sandra K Salisbury on Jun 02, 2016
    I have a dainty little chandelier that I'm planning to redo for a small guest room and I've been stumped on what color to use. The nickle would be just right. I have already purchased replacement candle sheaths and as they are very inexpensive I think I'll paint them a complementary color that goes with the room--Similar to the effect of your black ones. They should be easy to change for any color changes in the room. This little sweetie has little tabs to connect strings of something to it. I've been buying lamp crystals on line so there's my bling!! Thank you so much for your timely tutorial and the 'huge heaping' of inspiration!!! Oh, my question!!!! Did you use an amp tester to see if the lamp would work? If so, how did you do that? Do I test each little socket or by just putting bulbs in it to see if they work? One of my sockets needs replacing too. I'm hoping that can be done fairly easily. GLEEP!!--I hope my little lamp won't have to be scrapped after all is said and done!! Ta, happy crafting to you!
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