DIY Outdoor Lantern Makeovers: Quick & Easy Spray Paint Guide

Do you have old outdoor lanterns that are looking a bit worse for wear? If so, you can easily update it with a few cans of spray paint. If you’re thinking, “I need to just throw this rusty thing away”? Well, Stop right there. This is an Outdoor Lantern: Easy Spray Paint Update that will have your rusty pieces looking brand new.

I have had a couple of black lanterns for several years. They have only been used outdoors and, therefore, have developed a lot of rusty areas. I also have a couple of lanterns with broken glass. I was ready to toss the lanterns and buy new ones.

I’m so glad that inspiration sparked before it was too late. Come along as I share how to easily update those old lanterns and how you can decorate with them both indoors and outside all year long.

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Easy Spray Paint Update

First, I was willing to throw away the old lanterns because I didn’t want the tedious task of covering all the glass to prevent paint overspray.

Then, I investigated the inside of the lanterns and realized that I could remove the glass before painting.

How To Prepare Outdoor Lanterns For Makeover

I discovered that there are metal tabs at the top and bottom of the glass, and they bend easily with your fingers.

This made the update so much easier. All you need to do is determine how the glass is being held in the frame. In this case, it was easy to bend the metal tabs away from the glass and then remove the glass. No tools were necessary.

Clean The Lantern Frame

Once the glass is removed, clean the frame and brush away any rusted spots with a steel brush.

If the frame is heavily rusted, you may need to use Rust Dissolver before repainting.

Note: Follow Rust Dissolver Instructions carefully.

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How To Paint Outdoor Lanterns

I was amazed at how easy the glass was to remove.

We had just added some copper landscape lights around the pool area, and I decided that painting the lanterns copper would give them a fresh, updated look.

Rust-oleum has beautiful copper spray paint in a hammered finish. I used this paint for several projects last year and knew it would be a great look on the lanterns.

Just prepare an area by using cardboard or a drop cloth.

Place the lanterns on the prepared area and use the paint according to package directions.

See 10 Tips for Free Fall Decorating to learn about more spray paint projects.

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Prepare Glass

You will want to wash and dry the pieces of glass before adding them back to the lantern.

Finally, place each glass piece back into position and secure it by bending the metal tab back in place.

The lanterns look perfect on the picnic tablescape that I’m planning this week.

If you prefer to use a brush, you can easily update your projects with chalk paint as well. See this tutorial on How To Use Chalk Paint.

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See how I used these updated lanterns on my inspired picnic table setting ideas.

Outdoor Lantern With Broken Glass

This large lantern was a favorite on the porch, but during a wind storm, it fell over, and the glass broke. Instead of trying to replace the glass or throw the lantern away, I decided to remove all the glass.

The lantern was also looking a little tired so I just cleaned it and added some black spray paint.

The open air lantern looks brand new and know one realizes it’s supposed to have glass.

It looks fresh and inviting on the porch coffee table with a vintage planter and fern inside. I combined it with one of the DIY Dollar Tree Lanterns I made earlier this spring.

What Can You Use Inside A Lantern?

We usually think of styling a lantern with candles. However, you can get creative and add almost any decor to the inside of a lantern. Here are few ideas.

• Add a plant or flowers
• Figurines or concrete statuaries
• Fill with Christmas ornaments
• Vintage books
• Add Vases or other decorative items
• Easter Eggs or other seasonal decorations

You can use your lanterns both indoors and outside for seasonal decorating.

Resources

Thanks so much for stopping by today. I hope this inspired you to think before throwing away old home decor. I look forward to sharing my next adventure with you.

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