DIY Wall Sconce Refinishing

Living Room Wall Sconces

Before

After

The bright brass finish of these wall sconces have bothered me since the day we moved into our new house. I decided to use up the rest of the primer and spray paint from when I refinished our kitchen cabinet pulls.

I'm basically repeating these steps from the cabinet pull blog but here's what I did:

This is what you'll need:

1. Screwdriver

2. Wire brush and/or light sand paper

3. Metal primer spray paint, I used: Krylon Indoor/Outdoor Primer - All Purpose Gray

4. Metallic decorative spray paint, I used: Krylon Brushed Metallic - Oil Rubbed Bronze 

5. Blue painter's tape or masking tape

6. Drop cloth (cardboard or newspaper)

7. Well-ventilated area

Here's how you do it:

1. Remove the sconces from the walls by unscrewing them from the wall and untwisting the wire connectors...make sure the power to the switch is OFF or flip the breaker for good measure.

2. Remove the shade and bulb from each sconce.

3. You may have to lightly sand the bare metal to remove the sheen. This is will allow the primer to adhere better.

4. Wrap masking tape around the white "candle stick" part of the sconce as well as the connection to where the bulb screws into the lamp. This will block the primer and paint from adhering to these parts.

5. Lay out the sconces onto the cardboard and space them at least 12 inches apart in order to paint all sides evenly.

6. Spray primer evenly on all sides of the lamps...read the instructions carefully on the back of the can.

7. Wait until it's completely dry (according to the primer's drying instructions)

8. Spray decorative paint evenly on all sides...read the instructions carefully on the back of the can.

9. Wait until it's completely dry (according to the paint's drying instructions)

10. You may have to pick them up by the taped sections in order to spray any curved parts of the sconces

11. Let dry completely (overnight is advised)

12. Replace the bulbs and shades. I found mine for $3.99 each at Tuesday Morning

12. Twist the wires back together and put the finish screws back on....Done!

Old sconce

Taped and ready for primer

Primed and ready for paint

Painted and drying overnight

New finish and new shade

VOILA!