How can I refinish this hanging light?
+3
I hate this gold light over my dining room table. Any easy ideas how to refinish it?
How about painting it a dark gray and getting new lamp shades?
Take the fixture down. Tape off any electrical areas or anything you don't want painted. Spray paint the fixture in any metal finish or color you like--antique bronze, black, white--whatever you want. I would get a paint that works on any surface and paint the white covers that the light bulbs screw into. Then replace your shades with a style that works with your decor or use Edison bulbs and don't replace the shades at all. You could also tape off part of the current metal finish-say the bottom half of the round section and the "drip trays" and spray paint everything else to give you a two-tone effect if you wanted.
If it’s solid brass, as in a magnet doesn’t stick to it, I would trade it with somebody through craigslist or Facebook marketplace. A lot of people want a solid brass chandelier.
It looks like there is gold in the clock, are you sure you want to change it? You have to consider the other colors in the room. I do agree with you on the gold though. I think I would spray paint it a brushed nickel, doing what Deb53 said making sure to spray multiple light coats instead of trying to spray it all at once. That way you won't get drips and runs. You might want to remove the handles on the china cabinet and paint them as well. I would also remove the shades and replace them with glass globes. Also check to see if it's solid brass like Cheryl said.
Metallic spray paint.
Based on rest of surroundings, I would leave it and remove shades. Set a cup and saucer (mix patterns, style, but keep same basic shape) to top of each arm (where light is-you will use drill and E6000 or like adhesive). The china cups will work as shade. Big ball at bottom: Paint white and paint another china pattern onto it. If you are not artistic, decoupage pretty napkin in a china pattern onto it. Hang single crystal drop from bottom. If there is another style you are heading towards in this room, then choose a paint color, shade style, etc that will work with that direction.