DIY Ceramic Lamp Makeover: Painted White

As you know, I have had the coastal farmhouse look in my bedroom for awhile now with my favorite spa blue urn lamps on the nightstands. But I wanted to change up the color palette in here, and knew that those lamps would need a little update. Since I am in this “white love” phase, the decision to paint the lamps white was easy….the process – not-so-much!! HaHa! Now that I worked out ALL of the kinks…. I can show you the best, simplified way to hand paint lamp bases white. Here is DIY Ceramic Lamp Makeover: Painted White.

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DIY Ceramic Lamp Makeover: Painted White

Over the years, I have painted every single type of lamp base. And at least half of all of the lamps in our house have been painted at least once- lol!!

But I know that this may be the first time for some of you to try it out, and you may be a little unsure.

Here are some very common questions that many of you might have, so I went ahead and did a question/answer portion below.

Questions Asked &Answered:

DIY Ceramic Lamp Makeover: Painted White

I just want to be honest here and tell you that I tried ALL kinds of painting methods to this lamp before the final product was finished – ugh!!

It was primed, then painted, and sanded, and glazed (twice!) then I used liming wax, and round and round.

But the good news is that you will get the easier, simplified version of the tutorial!!

SUPPLIES:

primer
white wash paint (oil-based)
clear gloss spray paint
foam paint brushes
paper towels or old rags/shirts
painters tape
mineral spirits
drop cloth

Let’s get to the tutorial and 4 steps of your diy ceramic lamp makeover.

4 STEPS Hand Painting Lamp Base

STEP #1: Tape cord & socket, remove harp

This takes maybe 15 minutes, but is the most important part.

NOTE: I taped off the base and neck/stem of my lamp (but then ended up priming both of these – so just ignore that part).

STEP #2: Prime lamp base, and finial

When using latex paint, you must prime your lamp base and finial first. Since my lamps were spa blue, I painted 2 coats of primer to get rid of as much blue as I could.

*** If you choose to spray paint or use oil-based paint on your lamps, you do not have to do this part. But I still would recommend it (personally) because the paint just sticks better on the ceramic.

diy ceramic lamp makeover: painted white

Here is a picture of one primed on the right, and one not primed on the left.

STEP 3: Paint 2 coats of White Wash Paint

This paint is OIL-BASED, so make sure you have some mineral spirits to clean with.

I used a foam brush so that it I could just throw it away. Brush on the white-wash paint, let it sit for about 3 minutes, and then wipe off gently with a paper towel.

Make sure to work in small sections and don’t put too much paint onto your brush because it is thinner (runnier) than latex paint.

Let dry overnight, then paint second coat.