How to Transform a Metal Lamp With Spray Paint

Bring out an antique steel item's innate style (and cover a dull, oxidized, or dented exterior) with high-coverage spray paint.

Martha Stewart

Updated on November 8, 2023

spray painted lamp in light blue — Photo:
Addie Juell

Maybe you have a metal lamp in your home you want to revamp. Or perhaps you fell in love with one at a thrift store recently, and it needs some love? A can of spray paint can get the job done. This easy DIY takes just a few supplies and can take an old lamp from oxidized to elevated in no time.

Here is how to spray-paint a lamp to make it look as good as new.

What You'll Need

Materials

Rosin paper or drop cloth
Cardboard box, larger than your lamp
Painter’s tape
Spray paint (Pictured: Rust-Oleum Painter's Touch 2X Ultra Cover Spray Paint, in Winter Gray)
Protective mask
Turntable, revolving cake stand, lazy susan, or pottery banding wheel (optional)

Instructions

Set Up Your Space:

Choose a work surface (such as a shop table) in a well-ventilated area, ideally outside. Line it with a scrap of cardboard, rosin paper, or a drop cloth. Set box on its side on top of protected surface, or cut it open at a corner and arrange it to catch overspray.
Remove the Shade:

Remove the lampshade, if possible. Cover areas of lamp with tape that you don't want painted. If using a turntable, cover its top with rosin paper and set it in front of cardboard. Set lamp base on top of protected work surface. (You will paint the shade separately.)
Prep the Spray Paint:

Read label on spray paint and stand as far back from the lamp base as it specifies. Shake can for a full minute to mix paint properly.
Paint the Lamp:

Put on mask. Start spraying off to one side of lamp base, then move across and past it in an even stroke. Do not stop moving. Keep going back and forth until lamp base is covered in a thin coat of paint. If using turntable, spin it slowly with your other hand as you spray. Otherwise, adjust the cardboard as you work so that you can cover the entire lamp base. Let paint dry completely. Repeat one or two times until lamp base is evenly covered, letting paint dry completely after each coat.
Paint the Shade:

Repeat to spray paint lamp shade, following the method described above. Let dry completely.
Put the Lamp Back Together:

Remove tape and reassemble lamp.