I am thinking of painting a brass lamp with Martha Stewart Coffee Bean

LB
by LB
Glaze. Do I have to prime the brass first? I can't find any instructions on the web to use this glaze. I guess it would be the same as paint, right?
  14 answers
  • Amy Petracek Amy Petracek on Apr 17, 2014
    I think I would prime first. Better to be safe than sorry.
  • Debi McCoy Debi McCoy on Apr 17, 2014
    If you use chalk paint you won't have to prime!
  • Shari Shari on Apr 17, 2014
    I am not familiar with the Martha Stewart brand glaze but in my experience, glaze is not paint. It is not substituted for paint, nor is it used exactly like paint. Glaze is translucent and used OVER paint to create a deeper, multi-toned effect. It allows the base color to show through so the color of your base coat will affect how a glaze looks. I couldn't really find anything on the web either about how to specifically use the MS glaze but I did find several reviews on the Home Depot website for MS Metallic Glaze in Black Coffee. Is that the product you want to use? If you scroll down to read the reviews, a couple reviewers described what they did with it and included pictures. Perhaps that will help you get a better idea of what glaze does. Here's the link: http://www.homedepot.com/p/Martha-Stewart-Living-10-oz-Metallic-Glaze-Black-Coffee-Satin-Specialty-Finishes-259289/202587631 In a very brief nutshell, once your base coat of paint is dry, you apply the glaze over it and then wipe the glaze off while it is still wet. How much of the glaze you take off or leave on is up to you. For more detailed instructions, do a search here on HomeTalk or the web for "glazing techniques," or "how to glaze." YouTube would be a good source for video tutorials. You will probably find most tutorials geared toward glazing furniture but you would use the same techniques for your lamp. Good luck!
  • Shari Shari on Apr 17, 2014
    I wanted to add that I have painted brass candlesticks before (but did not glaze them). I roughed them up with some sandpaper, used a spray primer and then several light coats of spray paint. It would be after those steps that you would add the glaze and wipe it off.
  • Amy Ogden-Paparone Amy Ogden-Paparone on Apr 18, 2014
    Take a look at this bloggers page, she paints brass all the time :) http://beautyandbedlam.com/painting-brass-lamps/
  • LB LB on Apr 18, 2014
    Thank you Shari, I read the home depot information. I was going for the rubbed oil bronze look but look like I need to prime or spray paint with primer. Thanks for the reply.
  • Dorothy Collett Dorothy Collett on Apr 18, 2014
    Wipe down any metal with vingar first. Primer will make a difference on how well paint will stick to metal and not be easily scratched.
  • LB LB on Apr 18, 2014
    Didn't think of that, good tip. Also, when you get a wood table that is grimy, what do you use to clean it. I used a degreaser but it was still tacky when I was done. Don't know if that is the leftover grime or not. Thanks for your reply.
  • Shari Shari on Apr 18, 2014
    Have you considered just using oil rubbed bronze spray paint instead of the glaze? I think several companies make ORB spray paint, including Rustoleum and it seems like that would be so much easier and would save you the glazing step. Since you really should prime and paint before using the glaze, why not just prime and paint with ORB and be done? I've used it and it turned out well. Regarding the tacky table... can you give more info? Do you want to leave it wood (preserve the existing finish) and just clean it so it's not tacky? Or are you trying to clean it so you can refinish/stain it or paint it?
  • Alchemy Home Alchemy Home on Apr 18, 2014
    I've used the Martha stewart glaze before, you'll def. need a primer or a chalk paint undercoat! Glaze is meant to be put on and wiped off, leaving an antiqued/textured look- however if you let it dry long enough you can use it like paint, as long as you have something underneath for it to stick to- but it will probably take several coats! Hope that helps :-)
  • Dorothy Collett Dorothy Collett on Apr 19, 2014
    Could be old wax that is tacky.
  • LB LB on Apr 22, 2014
    I think my table was just grimy. I am going to chalk paint it for a weathered look. But back to the brass lamp. I will clean first with vinegar and then prime. I just love the color of this coffee bean glaze and wanted to give this floor lamp a new look. It's a stiffel I found at an estate sale back in the 80's. It is beautiful and I spent more on the shade then I did on the lamp. I saw a floor lamp at Hobby Lobby with a dark glaze so I was going for that look. I will post some pictures. Thank you for your words of wisdom.
  • Fran Fran on Sep 20, 2015
    On your table, I think the finish has softened. You might need to strip it.