Let’s Paint the Kitchen Faucet Antique Copper!

Did you know that I painted our kitchen appliances? If not, you can read all about that project here! The appliances were black and I painted them black. Why paint them then, you might ask? Well, I did not like the glossy look. Turns out hubby didn’t like the glossy look either! They are matte black now and we LOVE them! While painting them, I decided to accent the matte by painting the black handles antique copper. Oh! That really gave them pizzaz! However, now the brushed nickel kitchen faucet didn’t match. Not only did it not match, but it also really looked out of place!

The appliance project

Do I paint the faucet too?

Why not?

After contemplating the worst-case scenario of having to buy another faucet if painting this one turned out to be a mistake, I decided why not? Afterall, I already had all the supplies sitting on the kitchen counter and was on a painting roll.

Supply List

• 1 quart Heirloom Traditions paint in Iron Gate
• Heirloom Traditions Deglosser/Degreaser
• Water based polyurethane
• Foam brushes
• Sanding sponge
• Artist brush
• Paint tray
• Copper craft paint
• Small foam paintbrush
• Cloth for cleaning
• Painter’s Tape

Step 1: Prep – tape

The first step in painting the faucet was to protect the sink with painter’s tape. If you have a stainless steel or enameled sink, you wouldn’t necessarily have to use tape because any dripped paint can be wiped off easily. But, since our sink is a granite composite one, having learned from experience, I did need to use tape. In the past, I have accidently dripped paint on the sink and have not been able to remove it.

Step 2: Prep – Degloss/degrease

Step 3 : 1st coat of paint

Now that the prep work was done, it was time to start painting. I’ll be honest, I was a bit nervous! Using a tapping motion, I applied a light coat of Heirloom Traditions Iron Gate paint using a small foam brush.

Step 4: 2nd coat of paint

The first coat never looks great and the faucet was no exception. After allowing the 1st coat to dry for about an hour, I applied coat #2. Boy what a difference! I LOVED the new black look of the faucet so much that I was tempted to just leave it black. But, knowing myself, I would been disappointed that I didn’t try the copper look. Also, I could always paint it black again if/when I wanted a change. ***As you can see, when I removed the tape, it left awful marks on the sink! I worried that I had damaged the surface but the marks came off when I cleaned the sink.

Step 5: Adding copper

For the copper, I used craft paint. The color of the copper paint I had was TOO shiny, so I mixed in some metallic black and brown. Once I got the color right, I applied two coats to the faucet using an artist brush, allowing time for the first coat to fully dry. As I was adding the copper, it looked so good with the black that I did consider leaving some of the pieces black…..I didn’t, but….

Step 6 – Seal the copper

Wow! Just wow! We LOVE the change in color! What a difference a little paint can make! If I ever get tired of the copper, I might add a little black to it.

Before, During, After

You Tube Video

Instructions

• Using painter’s tape, tape of areas not to be painted or deglossed
• Apply degreaser/deglosser to all surfaces to be painted using a sponge
  • Allow to work for 30 sec to a minute
  • Scrub with scratchy side of the sponge
  • Wipe dry with a soft cloth
• Apply 2 coats of Heirloom Traditions paint with a small foam brush
  • Allow each coat to dry according to directions on product
• Apply 2 coats of craft paint using a small artist brush
  • Allow each coat to dry according to directions on product
• Apply 1 – 2 coats of water-based polyurethane using a small artist brush
  • Allow each coat to dry according to directions on product
• Remove tape before the last coat dries fully
• Wait 48 hours before regular use
• Paint fully cures in 30 days
  • Wait before doing any intense scrubbing

Base paint color

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