How to paint faded outdoor light fixtures without taking them down. Easy DIY to up your curb appeal. Plus what type of spray paint we used on this project.
My husband and I had a day off together, without the kids! It’s a very rare thing and we decided on a day date to Home Depot. The kind where you can wander around every aisle and make future plans about back splashes and sink faucets.
We wandered down the shower aisle and had a brilliant idea to replace our shower door DIY style. After sticker shock we bought some black spray paint and headed home, because I already had a project in mind. The kind you have to convince your spouse that it’s a great idea.
We were going to spray paint our outdoor light fixtures, and we were going to do it without taking them down!
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It took a few hours of subtle convincing but after picking up the kids from school, we got to work.
HOW TO PAINT OUTDOOR LIGHT FIXTURES
Materials
- Spray paint
- Painters tape
- Ladder
- Razor blade
- Newspaper or cereal boxes
We thought about taking down the lights and removing the glass, but we really didn’t want to mess with the electrical and the glass didn’t want to come out. In the end we decided it would be easier to paint the outdoor light fixtures without taking them down.
We used Rust-Oleum 2x Ultra Color in Satin canyon black
TAPE OFF THE GLASS
First we taped off the glass with painters tape. Then we used a razor to cut off any excess tape.
MASK OFF SURROUNDING AREA
Using old newspaper and thin cardboard, mask off a generous area surrounding the light fixture.
SPRAY PAINT
Using short, even strokes, spray paint your light fixture. Making sure to get into any groves and keeping the wind and overspray in mind.
LET DRY AND APPLY SECOND COAT
Allow the spray paint to dry completely and apply a second coat.
REMOVE TAPE AND CLEAN THE GLASS
Allow the spray paint to dry completely before removing the painters tape and cleaning the glass.
This was an easy, affordable solution to our faded garage light fixtures. In total this project took less than one hour to complete. When spray painting, make sure to pick a day with no wind and mask off the surrounding area. Be sure to use short, even strokes and take your time.
I couldn’t be more happy with how these light fixtures turned out! They look brand new and give amazing curb appeal for only the cost of spray paint.
Best Wishes,
Sara
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Looks like the inside was painted as well. How did you paint the inside of the light fixture? Did you tape the inside glass as well?
Hi Lori, That’s a great question. For this project we only spray painted the outside of the lights as that had the most fading from the sun. Although it does look like we might have done both! Once we cleaned up the glass these lights looked brand new.