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Metallic Paint Options For Big And Small Projects

Metallic Paint Options For Furniture and Home Decor

Questions I get about metallic paint – –  Where can I find metallic paint? Why can’t I find the Martha Stewart Precious Metals Metallic paints you used on your furniture? What kind of brushes should I use? Should I seal my project?

pink paint with a silver and gold metallic glaze

Pink Paint with a Metallic Paint Glaze

There are several metallic paint options available for furniture and crafts. I’m going to give you my opinion on the paints and also share a few things I’ve learned when using metallic paints. The metallic paint is a little different from regular paint finishes. Nothing scary though.

Metallic Paint Options

1. Latex Metallic Paint

My first Martha Stewart Precious Metals paint project was a pair of nightstands. I fell in love with the paint first thing.

Martha Stewart Precious Metals silver metallic paint furniture project

The silver was bright and shiny and everything I could ask for. But then, crazy me, I decided I wanted to age the silver.

Martha Stewart Precious Metals silver metallic paint project

So I grabbed my Caromal Colours Toner and wiped it on then wiped off the excess. See how the toner seeped into the details of the nightstands?

The Martha Stewart Precious Metals paint is no longer available. I’ve tried the Modern Masters Metallic paint although not on furniture.

Modern Masters Copper Metallic finish Petticoat Junktion

I was given a small bottle of the Modern Masters Metallic in Copper at the Haven blog conference. I painted this plastic watering can with the paint and was very happy with the results.

ModPodge project Petticoat Junktion

Mod Podge on Flower Decal

The paint covered that ugly plastic watering can in one coat. It stuck to the plastic without using a primer either. I would definitely recommend the Modern Masters Metallic Paint for furniture.

The Martha Stewart and the Modern Masters Metallics are latex or water-based. I try to steer clear of oil-based paint. Too hard to clean up.

One thing I noticed about both brands of paint is that the paint needs to be stirred several times during the painting process. The paint tends to separate a little. Also, when I painted the silver metallic pieces, I always used a primer. I don’t know if it was necessary but I did it anyway. I had the primer tinted gray and in most cases only needed one coat of metallic paint.

metallic silver table aged

The paint does not have to be sealed. I would only seal the paint if it was on a dining room table. I always use a sealer on a dining room or kitchen table no matter the paint type.

vintage radio cabinet painted metallic silver Metallic Paint Options For Big And Small Projects

I also painted a sideboard, vintage radio cabinet, and buffet in metallic silver. (click any of the pink text links to see the projects with full tutorials)

Martha Stewart Metallic Paint for furniture in silver Metallic paint options

Sideboard in Aged Metallic Silver

purdy paint brushes for furniture painting

I recommend using a good quality two-inch angle/sash brush or 2-inch straight bristle paint brush for all paint projects.

2. Metallic Spray Paint

If you had asked me a few years ago if I recommend painting furniture with spray paint, I would have said a loud NO. Spray paint has definitely improved since then.

Rust-Oleum metallic silver spray paint project Petticoat Junktion

I primed this table with my favorite Glidden Gripper Primer tinted gray, then spray painted the silver. The spray paint is my favorite silver color Rustoleum Bright Coat Metallic Finish. The spray paint flows so easily and evenly from the can. I love it.

silver drawer fronts

I used the same spray paint on the nightstand drawer fronts. The spray paint adheres very well and I had no problem with it chipping off or getting scratched. I did not seal the paint in any way.

Metallic spray paint is perfect for small décor items. I can spray paint several items in just minutes.

rust-oleum-spray-paint-glass-diy

The Black Night Metallic Rustoleum paint is great for recycled bottles.

Rustoleum Antique Bronze spray paint

The lamp is painted with Rustoleum Antique Bronze. I don’t work for Rustoleum but I do like their spray paint!

IMG_1139

The hanging pendant lamp is painted with Kryon metallic paint. Can you imagine trying to paint wicker or cane with a paint brush. It’s a mess. I’ve tried it.

spray paint door hardware

You can also spray paint the door knocker and kick plate. Just be sure to put the door knocker on right side up. Mine is still upside down.

So, how do I feel about spray paint? I love it for picture frames, lamps, small chairs and stools, drawer fronts, table legs….I could go on. I never seal the spray paint and I sometimes distress it.

3. Acrylic Metallic Paints

Those little bottles of small acrylic metallic paints are perfect for small projects when spray paint want do the job.

Up Your Decorating Game With Metallic Gold Paint Petticoat Junktion mason jar crate project

The crate is painted with Martha Stewart Metallic paint. You can buy the Martha Stewart metallic craft paint in a 6 ounce size.

metallic paint stencil project

This stenciled flower has 3 different metallic paint colors. Adds dimension to the design.

4. Metallic Glazes

I don’t know if you can buy metallic glaze but you can make your own.

pink paint with a metallic glaze

That’s what I did for this project. The custom piece was for a bridal shop. I painted the antique desk pink and mixed a combo of silver and gold Martha Stewart metallic paints to make a glaze. The glaze added just enough shimmer to the desk to make it perfect for the bridal shop.

If I didn’t answer all of your questions about using metallic paints please leave the question in the comments below. Have a great day guys and I’ll see you tomorrow with a new project.

If you can’t find these products in your area, they are available to order online. (Amazon affiliate links for your convenience)
Shop For Project Supplies:
Modern Masters Metallic Paint
Martha Stewart 2 ounce Metallic Paint
Purdy Paint Brushes
Rustoleum Bright Coat Metallic Spray Paint
Caromal Colours Toner, Aging/Antiquing Product

FolkArt 2 ounce Acrylic Metallic Paints

Author: Kathy Owen
Kathy Owen is the founder of the home decor blog Petticoat Junktion where she shares tutorials on painting furniture and upcycling thrifty finds into unique home décor. Her DIY projects have been featured on the Home Depot Blog, Plaid Crafts, Behr Designer Series, and in numerous magazines. Kathy’s newest website is HappyHomeDIY.com

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9 Comments

  1. Gosh, I’m so sorry about your glasses. I wear glasses and am blind without them so I feel for you. I have never done this before. The only thing I can suggest is not to over paint or just keep going back and forth with the paint and the brush. That could be making the marks. Good Luck!

  2. Hi Kathy, first off, you’ve got some amazing projects.Very nice. I have a question about applying metallic paint to small areas of plastic. I broke my glasses and only had one option to replace til my surgery. Of course they had to be black frames. Not the best color for me. I started brushing on the underside of the frames to see what it would look like. Some came out smooth then some areas started getting marks. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated, I’ve got the pearl, satin finish. Thx so much. So glad I found your site!!

  3. Hey Sonja! Thanks for sharing your experience with Modern Masters. Sounds like your a fan. Don’t you just love a good deal. Happy New Year!

  4. I used the Modern Masters Metallic in the copper several years ago to paint trim on some black plastic pots. It has held up to the Arizona sun, dry air, etc. much better than I dared hope. I have had no peeling or fading. I did not use any primer or sealer, mostly because the job was so time consuming and tedious that I would never have finished (11 large pots.) I also used it to match window trim on a door that I covered in copper. It matches the real copper very well. I did use a stain on that to match the stain I used on the pattern I etched on the door. You have to look closely to even tell that it was painted and not real copper. Once again, that has been 10+ years. I need to refinish the copper, but not the painted trim. Great stuff.

    I did happen on to a Ace store who was selling out their supply for $1.00 a bottle and I snatched them up and now have some fun metallic to play with and not feel guilty about he cost.

    Thanks for sharing your experiences with us.

  5. I know! I’m ready to move on from Christmas. I usually take the decorations down on the first but I’m thinking tomorrow!

  6. ALL look very nice and you were so helpful with the names of the paints, etc. You have done an excellent job on each piece and made me want to do something again besides taking down Christmas…….ah, but that will go on for a few more days. Happy New Year from warm South Carolina.

  7. Hi Denyse, I should have mentioned that the Mod Podge was for the flower decal on the watering can. As you noticed the Mod Podge was still wet. Thanks for the question.

  8. Awesome!!
    This may be a silly question, but did you seal it with the Modge Podge? I noticed it in the picture above and was wondering.
    Thank you,
    Denyse