What kind of paint should I use for bathroom light fixtures?
Question:Is it bad to use acrylic paint like I use for crafts?
Answers:
This will all depend on what your bathroom light fixtures are made of - I am assuming they are metal.
That being the case - your normal acrylic craft paints will not stick to them if you apply them directly and will not hold up in the bathroom environment (your fixtures no doubt have a smooth, slick surface - plus they are in a moist area if the room has a bath/shower in it).
You do have a few options here - first you could go with just a straight spray paint job by using Krylon Spray Paints (not the new H20 Latex). If you find a colour that you like, prep your fixtures by removing any rusty areas if there are any and sanding off any flaking paint so that you have a smooth surface to work with. Krylon paints will adhere wood, metal, cement and most colours come in flat, semi-gloss and gloss finishes - just don't get the Fusions Krylon as it is more meant to be used on Plastic's
If you have had a problem with rust in the past you could use a rust paint if you can find one in the colour that you like for your bathroom - it will inhibit any further rust.
Another option would be to use a product called Varathan Colours In Plastic. Although not in spray bottles you can buy it in small cans and in a small variety of colours. These colours have varathane mixed with them to give them a tough coating which will protect your light fixtures.
Now, if you can't find any colours that you like in the above options - or say you want to do some special designs on your fixtures to make them a *one of a kind* - you can do that as well -
First if your fixtures are a metal with a shiny/slick surface you will need to seal/prime them so that your new paint will adhere to it. For this step use BIN Primer made by Zinnser - excellent primer and it dries and cures fast.
You can then apply the colour of your choice in a latex paint or design over the primer.
Now since this is in your bathroom and its moist a couple of coats of interior water based interior Varathane will keep your project protected. You can buy this in a spray can or brush on.
Hope this has helped
I would not recomend a waterbourne paint
IF YOU CAN TAKE THEM OFF AND SPRAY THEM WITH A SPRAY PAINT(OIL BASED CRYLON OR RUSTOLIUM)
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