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:

Ok, let’s get to it! DIY Ceramic Lamp Makeover: Painted White.

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:

Zinsser Primer (can use with either water or oil-based paint)
White Wash (oil-based)
Foam Paint Brush
Clear Gloss Spray Paint
Paper Towels/ Old Rags
Painters Tape
Plastic/Drop Cloth (Ground Cover)
Mineral Spirits (Cleaning)

Let’s get to the easy 4 steps! DIY Ceramic Lamp Makeover: Painted White.

STEP #1: Remove Harp, Then Tape Cord & Socket
STEP #2: Prime Lamp Base & Finial
STEP #3: Paint 2 coats of White Wash Paint
STEP #4: Seal with Clear Gloss Spray Paint

4 Steps: Hand Painting Lamp Base White

STEP #1: Remove Harp, Then Tape Cord & Socket

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 & Finial

Now you will prime your lamp base and finial.

Since my lamps were spa blue, I painted 2 coats of primer (to get rid of as much blue as I could).

*** So this is what I love about this ALL-IN-ONE Zinsser Primer.

It can be used over existing water-based or oil-based paint AND
You can paint over it with water-based or oil-based paint

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

Now it’s time to white wash your lamp bases – 2 coats.

I used a foam brush so that it I could just throw it away.
This paint is OIL-BASED, so make sure you have some mineral spirits to clean with.

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.

(*** Note: These pictures are after I had glazed the lamps, so disregard the color).

This is what they looked like after the first coat.

Then I decided to pull off my tape to see if I liked the base, and neck/stem.
And I did not!! So I painted the necks white (base black).

Painting the necks at the socket.

This is what they looked like after the second coat.

White-washing will let some of the existing paint color to show through – giving it a distressed appearance.
If you want a solid color use a latex or oil-based paint.