Ok, so I did some searching and there is some but not alot of any detail on how to successfully paint bulbs. Since I am doing some work for a build I figured I would add some info for those looking to follow in my footsteps.
What you will need... Newspaper, drop cloth, or anything you can spread out that you don't care about getting over spray on. Bulbs, in this example a Par36 GE 4416 bulb. Painters tape... Easy to pick up anywhere. A box, and lastly the paint you wish to use. And if you goof, turpentine or Paint Thinner/Cleaner.
In my example I am using Krylon stained glass spray paint. Comes in several colors... B,R,A,G... well Green is hard to find but you can get it.
Gonna use the K.I.S.S. Method so bear with me.
Step 1.
Get your box and cut a hole just big enough to allow the bulb sit face up and stable. Easiest way, is a + shaped incision and just press the corners in until you get a diamond shape.
Step 2.
Use the painters tape to mask the bulb to keep the spray from going around the back. Its actually pretty simple and you don't need to be perfect, just try to keep it level.
Step 3.
Clean the area of the bulb to be painted with mineral spirits or Isopropyl Alcohol, you might also want to lightly scuff the face of the bulb with real fine grit sandpaper. This will allow the paint to adhere easier (your call)
Step 4.
Place the masked and cleaned bulb face up in the hole you made in your box. Find a well ventilated area, or outdoors if not much wind, place your dropcloth and prepare to paint.
Step 5.
Recommend using gloves, mask, and safety glasses or googles. Paint the bulb.. sounds easy but there are a few tricks. Try a few practice passes on a scrap of cardboard or other disposable item to get a feel for the spray. When your ready, start to either the left or right of the bulb and spray back and forth in even and LIGHT coats. Always begin or end off of the bulb to allow an even coat. Do not try to give it a HEAVY coat, works much better with multiple light coats. Refer to your paint can instructions for details. Take your time and remember back and forth in even motions.
Step 6.
Apply additional coats if needed until you get the desired effect. Remember since light will be passing through this you may want to make it pretty dark.
Step 7.
Let dry.... seriously not kidding if the can says give it 24 hours then do it... You don't want dry to the touch you want totally dry. I screwed my last bulb up by ignoring this... lol
Step 8.
Test it out, and enjoy the job well done...
A couple of additional pointers and things to keep in mind.
I get asked questions about heat so here is my answer, I have used this in the past for a couple of restoration projects and the bulbs have held up, its worked well enough for me but YMMV.
Glass paint is not super durable, so treat a painted object with great care, it can and will chip.
You don't need to be Picasso and have the bulb perfect, I noticed some paint bubbles near the ends of the bulb and they had no effect on light throughput. Just make sure the color is even and your fine.
If you screw up, you didn't wreck the bulb use the mineral spirits, paint thinner.. etc to wipe the bulb off. clean any excess paint off and return to step 1. Practice, Practice, Practice.
I will post up some pictures once I start another bulb
Happy Painting.
What you will need... Newspaper, drop cloth, or anything you can spread out that you don't care about getting over spray on. Bulbs, in this example a Par36 GE 4416 bulb. Painters tape... Easy to pick up anywhere. A box, and lastly the paint you wish to use. And if you goof, turpentine or Paint Thinner/Cleaner.
In my example I am using Krylon stained glass spray paint. Comes in several colors... B,R,A,G... well Green is hard to find but you can get it.
Gonna use the K.I.S.S. Method so bear with me.
Step 1.
Get your box and cut a hole just big enough to allow the bulb sit face up and stable. Easiest way, is a + shaped incision and just press the corners in until you get a diamond shape.
Step 2.
Use the painters tape to mask the bulb to keep the spray from going around the back. Its actually pretty simple and you don't need to be perfect, just try to keep it level.
Step 3.
Clean the area of the bulb to be painted with mineral spirits or Isopropyl Alcohol, you might also want to lightly scuff the face of the bulb with real fine grit sandpaper. This will allow the paint to adhere easier (your call)
Step 4.
Place the masked and cleaned bulb face up in the hole you made in your box. Find a well ventilated area, or outdoors if not much wind, place your dropcloth and prepare to paint.
Step 5.
Recommend using gloves, mask, and safety glasses or googles. Paint the bulb.. sounds easy but there are a few tricks. Try a few practice passes on a scrap of cardboard or other disposable item to get a feel for the spray. When your ready, start to either the left or right of the bulb and spray back and forth in even and LIGHT coats. Always begin or end off of the bulb to allow an even coat. Do not try to give it a HEAVY coat, works much better with multiple light coats. Refer to your paint can instructions for details. Take your time and remember back and forth in even motions.
Step 6.
Apply additional coats if needed until you get the desired effect. Remember since light will be passing through this you may want to make it pretty dark.
Step 7.
Let dry.... seriously not kidding if the can says give it 24 hours then do it... You don't want dry to the touch you want totally dry. I screwed my last bulb up by ignoring this... lol
Step 8.
Test it out, and enjoy the job well done...
A couple of additional pointers and things to keep in mind.
I get asked questions about heat so here is my answer, I have used this in the past for a couple of restoration projects and the bulbs have held up, its worked well enough for me but YMMV.
Glass paint is not super durable, so treat a painted object with great care, it can and will chip.
You don't need to be Picasso and have the bulb perfect, I noticed some paint bubbles near the ends of the bulb and they had no effect on light throughput. Just make sure the color is even and your fine.
If you screw up, you didn't wreck the bulb use the mineral spirits, paint thinner.. etc to wipe the bulb off. clean any excess paint off and return to step 1. Practice, Practice, Practice.
I will post up some pictures once I start another bulb
Happy Painting.
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