Help, not sure what to do with this light fitting?

I am turning this old light fitting into a candelabra for the porch, but am so unsure whether to paint it, or leave the brass to age naturally...suggestions please...
Will the brass go black with age?
  9 answers
  • Sheryl Johnson Sheryl Johnson on Jan 19, 2015
    Impossible to answer without a picture of where you plan to use it, as well as an idea of what else is in the decor :)
    • Tracey Lee Cassin Tracey Lee Cassin on Jan 19, 2015
      @Sheryl Johnson The thought was to use it as a wax candle candelabra. There is black wrought iron in decor pieces as in a globe, and pretty hanging baskets. Will try to get a photo.
  • Sheryl Johnson Sheryl Johnson on Jan 19, 2015
    BTW, I do love your fixture. I found and rewired a similar pair, but mine have 5 arms each. I just cleaned them well, replaced the old brittle candle stems with a lucky eBay find: frosted crystal shallow cups. The cups allow the candelabra bulbs to just peek out the top. They hang at the bottom and top of the stairway in my old Victorian.
    • Tracey Lee Cassin Tracey Lee Cassin on Jan 19, 2015
      @Sheryl Johnson I would LOVE to rewire this and use inside, but I mostly have horrid downlights! I've always wanted a candelabra on porch, so that is the plan.
  • TracyMT TracyMT on Jan 19, 2015
    I would paint it so it pops and shows all the details
  • Marion Nesbitt Marion Nesbitt on Jan 19, 2015
    Brass is BACK! Would just polish it, and apply a coat of exterior acrylic-poly. If you paint your porch ceiling or walls a dark colour, it will look great.
  • Dianna Jensen Dianna Jensen on Jan 19, 2015
    Hi Tracy, I'm a Lighting Designer and have been in the business for 30 years. Yes, brass is always available for the market but different quality not all is made of "solid" brass. This looks like it has tarnished quit well and if you like that vintage look, I'd spray a lacquer over it to protect it from the weather. (In the new market, this would not meet code to go outside because the sockets are not covered completely from the elements.) However, the end user can do what ever they like. Having said that, I say do whatever your creative mind says to do! I don't think painting over the brass will de-value the chandelier incase you were thinking of that. Good luck! Can't wait to see what you do.
    • See 1 previous
    • Marion Nesbitt Marion Nesbitt on Jan 19, 2015
      @Tracey Lee @ Mia Bella Passions Don't let old wiring stop you from having a functional light! Rewire it. Have done this on several old light fixtures. I just have my electrician advise on type of wire and then check them. Ask your electrician about the sockets - am sure he/she can suggest something or add something - if deemed necessary.
  • Jean Thompson Jean Thompson on Jan 19, 2015
    Paint Ceiling of Porch White and give this a coat of a Bright Cheerful color to match other Porch Accessories.. if its hanging up high enough the only thing you will have to worry about is Birds using it to build nests on... :D
  • Tracy Tracy on Jan 19, 2015
    I took a lighting fixture out of a dumpster and removed all the electrical wiring and fitted it with candles. Mine was pitted gold brass also. I did not sand down the pitted bumps but instead spray painted it with Oil Rubbed Bronze color. I love how it turned out. It looks a bit rustic since it is not smooth almost like a rusted iron. Mine was a 6 arm fixture and it actually gives a nice amount of light for a dining room. I am not sure about your porch. I tend to think of bright & light colors. I think I would go a bold color of your choice. Good luck - have fun with it.
    • Tracey Lee Cassin Tracey Lee Cassin on Jan 19, 2015
      @Tracy great minds think alike, lol. I am planning to convert for wax candles as wiring is deemed unsafe.
  • Nadine Racht Nadine Racht on Jan 19, 2015
    I had a very similar fixture that I found at a local junk store for $6. I did not want the brass so I painted it with oil rubbed bronze spray paint and then added the copper accents with paint. Every time someone sees this fixture they comment on its beauty.
  • Belinda Todd Belinda Todd on Jan 19, 2015
    I chalk painted a brass chandelier with off white chalk paint and used dark wax with burlap shades. It turned out really good.