What kind of paint should I use on a medallion?

Hi Barb,

What color is your ceiling? In ALMOST all of the photos I have ever seen of a ceiling medallion in a dining room, the medallion is the same color a the ceiling, and the light fixture hangin from the middle of it is what "shows it off" so to speak. I have seen medallions that pick up a color the owner wants to accent inthe dining room, but that's only occasionally. Perhaps if you could go to HOUZZ and search ceiling medallions you could get some ideas as to how you would like to showcase yours :) Thanks for coming to Hometalk :)

It all depends on your room decor and what you like. Here are some reference pictures... https://www.google.com/search?q=pictures+of+painted+ceiling+medallions&client=opera&hs=yl5&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj1raS1stzVAhVHwlQKHS5zAQMQ7AkIiwE&biw=1366&bih=629

I think you are talking about the kind that is on the ceiling with the chandelier hanging under it; I believe you can use any latex for that. I have seen many people paint it the same as the trim, but if the trim is white and the ceiling is white, it will blend in. Maybe a metallic to match the other metals in the room? Perhaps the wall color or dry brushing the wall color over white might look great.

Hello Barb; Medallions are typically painted with several other colors.

Personally, I have been in Buckingham Palace.

All of the Medallions are Antique gold.

If you look closely at them, (Using a magnifying glass)

you will see a number of colors mixed in with the heaviest being Antique gold.

I would use a gilded golden antique leafing paint.

You can easily locate these paints at Michaels Crafts.

Also, You can purchase small oil based tubes on Amazon. You rub/buff the paint on, and then wipe off a bit.

I hope that this is helpful to you!!!!! Take Care!

My son chose the color of the chandelier chain and dry brushed with copper and gold.

Depends on the material it is made of. Some paints adhere better than others. Most of the ones I see are vinyl or plastic, but, I've also seen plaster ones. Use a paint that works for the material it's made from. As for colors - do you want it to pop? Or blend in?

http://www.doityourself.com/stry/how-to-paint-a-ceiling-medallion

Are you referring to a ceiling medallion? If so, it really all depends on your own individual taste and decor. Personally, I prefer to see a tone-on-tone understated look - in other words, if my ceiling was a soft white, then my ceiling medallion would be painted the same. If you have a normal ceiling height (8' or 9' height) and IF you really want color, I think I'd go with something quite pale as painting the medallion a dark hue, could really lower the ceiling visually. Regarding paint, I'd use any inexpensive household paint because it's going to be mounted on the ceiling and, therefore, not in constant contact such as an electrical plate around a light switch.