Updating boring lampshade

Question

Is it safe to paint a lamp shade ?? My husband seems to think it will get hot and burn ??

Janet Pizaro · Answer

I don not recomend that at all. There are alot of chemicals in paint.

Peg Patricia · Answer

I think I would dye it before I painted it. I think the paint would crackle from the heat.

Lee · Answer

I have painted lampshades with success, I have covered lampshades with fancy store bought handmade papers with success. Try you will not know until you do. Last resort you could recover the frame with fabric - check the net for samples and instructions. Hobby Lobby has carried fabric that has glue on one side to cover a shade. If you use the new twisted lightbulbs there is no heat from them. May have a problem if your using a spotlight. I have had no issues and have them for years. Good luck, I hope you will post when your project is done. I have taken a metal silver bowl and made into a lamp shade with a simple hole drilled in the center of the bowl. I left it to tarnish to the perfect patina.

Erin · Answer

it's difficult to get the paint to coat evenly where it doesn't show streaks when you turn on a light inside it. covering it with paper (like was suggested above) or fabric would be a better technique.

GabbyinPa. · Answer

I've painted and stenciled lamp shades and they were fine. I never had an issue with any of them.

Muriel · Answer

I painted a big lampshade a bright red to go with the Mickey Mouse plaster head lamp for our son's room - 35 years ago. I never had any trouble with it. I used a glossy red spray and did it outdoors. I'd say go for it!

Ken · Answer

Go to the auto parts store and get the VHT paint if  you are worried about it getting too hot.  Very High Temperature paint is rated in degrees F and can be had in spray cans.

Carol · Answer

They now make fabric paint.

Carol · Answer

They now make fabric paint.

Marion Nesbitt · Answer

Go for it. Good suggestions re high heat paint and fabric paint.

Dee · Answer

If you use energy efficient light bulbs this won't be an issue.

Ken · Answer

Good thinking Dee ! :-)

Michelle Leslie · Answer

Hi Becky, bulbs don't get hot enough to burn the fabric on a lampshade so it shouldn't burn the paint either. If you do want to update your lampshade with paint you may enjoy this tutorial. This lady used watercolor paints for a dreamy lampshade makeover - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSaYsqSiMmQ

Mary · Answer

Use LED bulbs. They don't get hot

Lifestyles Homes · Answer

100W old fashioned incandescents certainly did get hot enough to yellow or burn the lampshade.

LEDs don’t.

Updating boring lampshade

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Updating boring lampshade

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