Any item made out of copper has a certain air of elegance to it. From copper vases to copper plates, these surely make a statement piece in your home. But here’s the catch, copper can lose its lustre. So, if you’re feeling bold and in need of a change, this blog will show you how to paint copper.

Things You’ll Need

• Copper cleaner or lemon and salt
• Sandpaper and scrubber
• Metal primer
• Metal paint

How To Paint Copper

Step 1: Clean The Copper

Before we get into the complexities, the copper surface needs to be cleaned! If you don’t remove all the tarnish and oxidation, the paint won’t sit. Professionally, this is done by dipping the copper item in an acidic solution. But don’t do this when you’re taking the DIY route. Head out and purchase a copper cleaner if the tarnish is super bad. These are readily available nowadays and also easy to use.

All you’ll need to do is take a scrubber and sprinkle some cleaner on your copper surface. Then rub in circular motions and wipe away to reveal shiny copper. If you’re working with a decorative piece like a copper bowl, you may want to clean it using natural methods such as lemon and salt. This will bring back shine and lustre to your copper, and who knows, you may decide you don’t even want to paint your copper anymore!

Step 2: Prep The Copper

After you make the copper squeaky clean, it’s time to prepare the surface of the copper. The smooth metal surface of copper needs to be rubbed to a rougher texture. This will allow the primer and paint coats to adhere to the copper. Moreover, you won’t run into the risk of your paint chipping after a few uses.

So take a sandpaper or wire brush and create some texture on your copper surface. Rub the sandpaper firmly in circular motions to scrape any oxidation away. Be super careful not to scrape too harshly. Or else you may end up damaging the copper itself.

Step 3: Prime The Copper

Are you still hanging on? You must really be set on painting the copper. After removing all the tarnish and oxidation, it’s time to prime. Now you may wonder why the need to take an additional step. You see, paint doesn’t adhere to metal easily. If you were to just paint directly on copper, it’d be a recipe for disaster. Instead, a primer acts as a middle layer so the paint sticks to the copper.

Apply an even layer of primer and let it dry first. After it’s dried completely, go for a second coat. This is to get the smoothest application possible. Now don’t go and grab the nearest primer in your paint shop. Ask specifically for metal primers since this is what we’ll be needing in this DIY project.

Step 4: Paint The Copper

Done with prepping and priming? Now let’s come to the fun part, painting! For painting on copper, you’ll need special paint, just like a special primer. When buying paint, look for paints that are formulated to go on metals. This will give you the best and most vibrant look. Moreover, the paint will last a long time. 

Water Paint Vs Oil Paint. Which Paint Is For Copper?

This may seem overwhelming, but fret not! We’re here to help. Which paint you should choose depends on what you’re painting. If you’re painting an outdoor surface like a copper roof, use oil-based paint. Outdoor paints need to be more durable. Oil paints are good at doing just that. Even though it’s a bit more pricey, the investment will be well worth it.

So, should you skip water-based paints? Absolutely not! Water paints are great for indoor items that don’t have rough use. They don’t emit smelly fumes like oil paint and are more affordable. Moreover, they’re not prone to fading like oil paints.

How To Paint

Once you’ve picked your desired paint, take a paintbrush or roller, depending on the size of your surface, and paint away. Make sure you apply the paint in even strokes and don’t miss any spots. Now you’re done with the first layer of paint. Allow the paint to dry as per the instructed waiting time. The drying time may vary depending on the type of paint you use. But don’t get tempted to layer on two to three coats to achieve a solid finish. Your paint will only crack and be less durable. Slow and steady wins the race! Apply an even layer and wait for it to dry before applying another one.

Moreover, don’t forget to always wear protective gear when doing any painting job. This will protect you from all the toxic fumes that paint can release. Also, make sure that the room you paint in is well-ventilated.

That’s about it from us. Painting on copper is easy peasy if you know what kind of materials to use. We hope this post blew away all of your concerns regarding how to paint copper. Still doubtful about something? Or perhaps you’ve painted on copper and have a nugget of wisdom to share with us?

Let us know. Call us direct at Earles Paints on 07 4121 5202 for all the information you need, or visit us at Earle Paint Place Maryborough.

We’d love to hear your feedback. Until then, ta ta!