How to Refinish Brass Fixtures to Distressed Oil Rubbed Bronze with Spray Paint

Today I convert this shiny brass handle to a distressed oil rubbed bronze finish. I've also dont this on lighting fixtures as well.
I'm using spray paint and added a few coats of copper.
Then the clear, which is really to protect the copper layers in case I wipe too much off with the lacquer thinner.
Then the flat black, but you could use a dark brown here, depending on the type of oil rubbed finish you’re going for.
Now when I wiped the finish with the lacquer thinner rag, it removed the black paint from the raised areas that contacted the rag. The clear coat under the black helps

[@joycefn916]

I think this a brilliant idea. I can't wait to try it. I went out and bought the wrong stuff. Watched again and took notes!!!

[@SarahUzelac]

Sooo helpful, thank you!

[@whitegod8755]

good idea but what about just buffing the edges with some high grit sandpaper, seems more controllable than chemicals

[@6thGearHouse]

That will also work as well. Maybe use one of those 3m scotch brite pads or steel wool to get a better contour with the surface.

[@corybraddy108]

Should there be another clear coat to seal the black?

[@6thGearHouse]

there could be but it's not needed

[@tanyahamilton5902]

Very nice 👍

[@sweetpeanmolly]

I ruined our oil rubbed bronze faucet by accidentally scrubbing it. The finish came off. I’m wondering if I could cover the spots of brass showing through with your technique?

[@6thGearHouse]

It's worth a try, but could probably be scrubbed off again if not careful.

[@zwarrell]

good graphics

[@idewaridesignteam2333]

Woow!!!😲😲😲😲

[@epontbriand]

Hi, I can't find ANY metallic paints that are Lacquer based. Did Krylon stop manufacturing it? Everyone else's is either water based, oil based or enamel. (or doesn't say)

[@AlleenLoveHope]

you dont have to use lacquer-based paint. You just want to make sure that all the paints (primer, base, top, and clear coats) have the same base. I'm going to be using enamel-based paints when I reno them to look like rubbed bronze. You would also have to make sure that the paint thinner you'll be using is for enamel paints.

[@6thGearHouse]

If you go with enamel based, use mineral spirits as a paint thinner. Also you can safely spray enamel over cured lacquer, but sometimes spraying lacquer over an email can cause the paint to wrinkle and lift.

[@heresjohnny23.7]

I’d like to do this with silver. Shouldn’t be a problem, right? I read the black from the start comment and think the same would work for me

[@6thGearHouse]

Yeah, you could do silver as well

[@mitchyarberry]

I've recently did the same type of project with some drawer puulls. I went with Rustoleum oil-based spray paints though. Hammered copper, then matte clear, venetian bronze, then finally matte clear again to protect the finish.Between bronze & final clear I've been trying sandpaper but it doesn't quite do right. What could I use instead of laquer thinner with oil-base paint to achieve the copper showing through? Also, should I do that right after I spray the venetian bronze or wait until it dries after 24 hours before the last matte clear?

[@6thGearHouse]

Instead of sandpaper, what about a fine steel wool? I think the steel wool might form to the shape of the surface better for less harsh removal of paint. I would let it cure for 24 hours first so the paint isn't sticky or gummy.

[@KatelynDawn]

Nice! What did you end up doing?

[@mitchyarberry]

@@KatelynDawn Used self etching primer first followed by a clear coat. 24 hrs cure. Light sand w/fine grit to get imperfection out clear over primer. tac rag for dust. Instead of hammered copper, I used Rose gold. Another clear coat. After 24 hrs cure, used red brillo pad. Mirlon, 3M, Scotch Brite - doesn't matter. You don't wanna sand but just rubbing in same direction each rub to put scuff lines or streaks on the copper. Tac rag for dust. Oil rubbed bronze 24 hrs cure. Red brillo again but instead of rub, little more effort to almost scrub to get the copper showing through on the corners & seams & a little on the larger surfaces. Tac rag & clear coat.

[@awholelotofsunshine5478]

What if the object is black from the start? Can I still achieve this look?

[@6thGearHouse]

I haven't tried, but you could probably just do some copper coats over the black object, and then some clear over the copper, to be sure you don't rub through it with the paint thinner when wiping off the black. I think that would work.

[@justaviewer111]

Would this work on a large shower frame?

[@6thGearHouse]

It would be a lot of painting, but I think it would work. I might worry about the paint chipping off over time if the door shuts on the frame constantly. I think it would look good though.

[@captainphasma598]

Why are you painting on the hood of your car?!?! this is a hack job

[@6thGearHouse]

That $400 BMW was a scrap/parts car from my other channel. Don't paint on the hood of your car if it is nice ;)

[@mannyramirez9152]

Haha…. I was wondering the same thing