Can I paint brass?

Sarah Ferrera
by Sarah Ferrera
I have 2 brass lamps and would like to know if I could paint them.
Thank you, Sarah
  35 answers
  • Rosie Walsh Rosie Walsh on Aug 15, 2016
    Absolutely. Suggest cleaning thoroughly, spray on good quality primer, let dry thoroughly, then spray the color of your choice. I've done this with long lasting great results.
  • Laine Laine on Aug 15, 2016
    Yes, I couldn't find any lamps that I liked, then tried spray painting the existing ones. Worked great! Just give it a light sanding first. Then I moved on and painted the fireplace set that was tarnished, it doesn't get used. A nice hammered metal!
  • Mar6901021 Mar6901021 on Aug 15, 2016
    Works well. Clean well then spray, paint from Michaels.
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Aug 15, 2016
    Clean the lamps and use Rustoleum 2x spray paint for metal.
  • Mim494418 Mim494418 on Aug 15, 2016
    I painted 2 brass lamps with chalk paint. Turned out great. Look almost like wood. Easy to do also.
  • Millie5358 Millie5358 on Aug 15, 2016
    I had some outdated brass & marble lamps. I painted them with Annie Sloan chalk paint. When my decorator showed up with new lamps ($375 each), she was absolutely amazed.
  • Judy Judy on Aug 15, 2016
    I'd first use a metal primer that would make sure paint adheres well. They sell at Home Depot and Lowes.
  • Tina Pancoast Hagenbuch Tina Pancoast Hagenbuch on Aug 15, 2016
    I have used both Rustoleum metal spray and chalk paint and have had great success with both. It depends what effect I am looking for on which one I use for the project. I used the black metal hammered finish for a frame and it went well with the look of that room and I used the chalk paint for some bedroom lamps for a smooth matte look I wanted in my bedroom
  • Geri Ann Geri Ann on Aug 15, 2016
    You can paint with chalk paint or age it to get a beautiful greenish verdigris finish.
  • Tammy Sea Tammy Sea on Aug 15, 2016
    Absolutely! I purchased two solid brass lamps at a thrift store and spray painted them with brushed nickel. They're beautiful, and there have been no problems with the paint. Just be sure to tape off well any parts not to be painted. :-)
  • Shirley L. Reesor Shirley L. Reesor on Aug 15, 2016
    Yes you can! I use Heirloom Traditions Paint. Check out my FB page for pictures of Lamps and Chandeliers. My FB Page is (Lucky Finds)
  • Linda Smith Linda Smith on Aug 15, 2016
    I had an old brass lamp, I painted it a gloss black, turned out great.
  • Shirley Shirley on Aug 15, 2016
    Yes you can. I just did one for my living area. I bought small bottles of chalk paint at Walmart in the craft area. One shade linen and the other taupe. I bruised on the taupe first, allowed to dry and painted the lighter shade on. After drying, I distressed with sandpaper and then waxed the lamp. It looks really good.
  • Cindi Cindi on Aug 15, 2016
    I had a brass/glass coffee and end table to sell, it sat forever, so a friend suggested painting it, so I spray painted it bronze, and it sold in a week. Since then I have sprayed a lot of metal items, usually satin black. People don't seem to like brass much these days, so I'll keep painting it until it comes back, as everything does eventually.
  • Susan Susan on Aug 15, 2016
    Yes you can spray paint them they will come out great
  • Linda kelley Linda kelley on Aug 15, 2016
    Of course you can...Rustoleum has a beautiful metallic silver or gold spray paint...makes them look high end.
  • Jk jauhari Jk jauhari on Aug 15, 2016
    Use enamel paint. However, I like to shine them in their natural shiny shade using Brasso (A commercial cleaning liquid used in India) / citrus media like lemon or many other brass cleaners in the market. Occasional buffing may also give an excellent finish.
  • Amy Amy on Aug 15, 2016
    You can also paint them with chalk paint! Annie Sloan is the best brand or you can look up recipes to make your own. Seal it with clear wax.
  • Karen Karen on Aug 15, 2016
    Couldn't believe my eyes when I saw your lamp. I just inherited a pair almost exactly the same from my mother-in-law recently. The first thing I did was paint them with Rustoleum Oil Rubbed Bronze. I love how they look now.
  • Christine baker Christine baker on Aug 15, 2016
    I painted mine with spray on plasticote they came out great.
  • Cathi Cathi on Aug 15, 2016
    I spray painted my brass candlesticks flat black years ago! They look like cast iron!
  • Margaret Margaret on Aug 15, 2016
    I painted mine with spray hammered iron black paint. Now they look like wrought iron. So easy even I could do it.
  • Ursula Leahy Ursula Leahy on Aug 15, 2016
    I used copper spray paint. They look really good
  • Linda Linda on Aug 15, 2016
    Absolutely yes you can paint them. You can use chalk paint with no prep work involved. You can brush them with Mod Podge (a craft decopage glue) and then paint with any type of paint. You can spray paint them with Rustoleum for metals. Have fun!!
  • Goldrushgal Goldrushgal on Aug 15, 2016
    I painted mine with chalk paint and the lampshade, too.
  • Adriana Boza Adriana Boza on Aug 16, 2016
    Yess! You can use chalk paint, or spray paint! Just be sure to cover your cords and everything you don't want to paint with painter's tape 😉
  • Tonette Tonette on Aug 16, 2016
    I believe there is certain type of primer that has to be used prior to the paint treatment.
  • Pari mohan Pari mohan on Aug 17, 2016
    I also painted my brass bells with a oxidised bronze color,,,looks beautiful now
  • Millie5358 Millie5358 on Aug 17, 2016
    I used Annie Sloan chalk paint Old Ocre and finished with dark wax on my brass and marble lamps. Love the updated outcome.
  • first spray the brass with a couple of coats of clear cellulose lacquer .this will key to the brass,,then after it has dried hard,,paint or spray with a coloured cellulose of your choice,all done with automobile touch up aerosols,
  • Nanci Roden Mooney Nanci Roden Mooney on Oct 14, 2016
    I've spray painted MANY old lamps. They came out like new!
  • Dee Dee on Oct 14, 2016
    I have also used Rustoleum spray paint. You can prime the lamp with Rustoleum Auto primer and spray any color you like. I have also done this without priming, an have no problems with chipping over the years.
  • Zcr2165892 Zcr2165892 on Oct 24, 2016
    Spray with spray primer first. Then stpay with light coats of whatever you want. I used an antique brass from Lowes.
  • Marion Nesbitt Marion Nesbitt on Oct 24, 2016
    If they are expensive lamps, I would leave them as brass is making a comeback. If not, there are many good suggestions above for painting.
  • Susan Susan on May 03, 2018

    I have a brushed nickel bathroom shelf I want to paint cream. I'm concerned with daily use that it will chip or peel. What's best procedure or best to leave it and not take the chance?