It’s no secret that I’m a lover of all things spray paint. It’s amazing what a can of that stuff can do. It’s hands-down the fastest, easiest way to update a cheap find and make it perfect for my home. I use it to freshen up furniture, picture frames and glass bottles.
It’s so freeing when you begin to look beyond the current condition, color, or design of something and envision how it might look with a few simple changes.
I’ve had this piece of orange ceramic coral in my dining room for a few months now. I found it in the clearance aisle of Marshalls and brought it home even though I knew the rusty orange color wouldn’t work in my house.
But it sat there until this weekend when the motivation struck me to change it up.
I used the leftover paints from my bedroom lamp project.
When I’m painting something ceramic like this coral, I like to use a glossy or lacquer finish since most ceramics are pretty shiny. But in a pinch, I’ll use whatever I have on hand.
The trick to spray painting ceramic is to use VERY light coats. The ceramic can’t absorb any of the liquid, unlike wood, so it’s easy to get drips and runs. So just take your time and do lots of very light coats until it’s done. I probably went over it 3x with the primer and 4-5 times with the paint. Each coat took about 5 seconds.
Note: I realize that by painting the fake orange coral with white paint, I may have created some not-found-in-nature creature. But it looks good on my mantle, so we’ll just go with it.
What have you spray painted lately?
{ 35 comments }
Hey Kimba, I have seen white coral a million times and yours looks lovely! (and much cheaper than the real thing too!)
Spray paint is my favorite go-to item in my crafting garage! You can just do so much with it…I call it, “a miracle in a can”. 
You should come over and see all the brass stuff I have changed with spray paint! I have just finished a chandelier I got from a garage sale for 5bucks, I’ll be posting it soon! It turned out gorgeous!!!
Have a great day
Missy
Missy´s last blog ..A bunch of beach bums!
I love how you can see how good something will look like with just a coat(s) of paint! I’m learning from you!!
Lynn from For Love or Funny´s last blog ..In 250 years- my dog will be automated
That looks tons better!! I love it!!
Angie @ The Country Chic Cottage´s last blog ..Thrifty Music
I just love spray paint. Really, what was life like before spray paint? I just spray painted to chandys with the metallic spray paint and I LOVE it. I have been looking for some cheap coral to paint. Way to go to finding some.
Spray paint–the 8th wonder of the world!
Becky´s last blog ..Under 100 Linky Party!
Thank you, thank you, thank you! Over the weekend I bought some ceramics with plans to spray paint them. I was wondering how on earth I would do it. I will definitely use your method and let you know how it goes.
Thanks!
Ashley
Cuteasafox.com
Ashley @ CuteasaFox.com´s last blog ..Paper Cake Treat Boxes from eWillowcom
LOVE the transformation! It went from scary to elegant…with some thoughtfulness and paint!
What would we do with out spray paint!?! I have a hard time NOT painting everything in sight!
I looks great…I’m glad you posted the tips for painting ceramic, I’m going to paint a ceramic umbrella stand white so now I know how to do it! Thanks again!
Rondell
Wow, what a difference, that coral looks SO much better! I’ve just recently discovered spray paint. It has changed the way I shop, all the ugly colored stuff is now fair game knowing that it can be spruced up with my friend spray paint.
Kimba…It’s EXCELLENT! I ADORE it white! I was just at the Pottery Barn Outlet and they had white coral pieces…so you are GENIOUS!
Just this weekend worked on a bamboo table that I got at Goodwill for $4! No pics yet, but hopefully as soon as I get the trim on it I’ll post. It’s a beautiful light green end table with modge podge’d paisley fabric on top!
WOW… amazing what a little can of spray paint can do!! I am so grateful for the inventor of spray paint… whoever it is, they are a genius!!
Jennifer´s last blog ..shine
I think its much improved and looks lovely on the mantel with the white pitcher, etc. Thanks for the inspiration.
The coral looks really good white, there’s some nice detail in it!
Yesterday I spray painted some sconces on the wall. I didn’t take them down, I just taped up newspaper all around them. Shiny brass be gone!
Jessica´s last blog ..Painting Progress
I think it looks great!! I sometimes get frustrated with things that take that many thin coats!!
Melissa Howard´s last blog ..cant wait to show you what I made for myself!!
It looks so much better in white. I might have painted it my favorite color – turquoise!
Muuuuuch better in white!!!!
What a BIG change and much prettier I think….
Kim´s last blog ..Would like some input from my friends
I know it’s been for forever since I’ve come to pay you a visit. I am absolutely thrilled you’re still creating all kinds of gorgeous with your magic spray paint
I am almost done spray painting the cabinets in my laundry room. I can’t believe how much better they look!
I think the white is a vast improvement from the orange. When an object is white the details shine through since you’re not immediately bombarded by a bold a color.
Pamela
http://www.atmosphereid.wordpress.com
Funny you should ask! I spray painted some chargers and narrow plastic vases, then glued them together to make a cake plate type of stand.
Mary @ Life on 19th´s last blog ..Kitchen Reveal
great idea, I never think to spray paint things!!
Love it in white!
Kacey´s last blog ..Tuesday
I have been following you for awhile now, and I must say I truly enjoy your posts. I have, after reading your post on cut flowers, remembered how much I loved bringing my outdoor garden in! And I never would have thought to do that coral white, but brilliant! I love finding things at Marshalls, and now I will keep more of an eye out for even better steals rethinking with spray paint!
Nichole´s last blog ..Grilled Tandoori Chicken & And Buisness Ventures
I just did a project spray painting some boring curtains. Here’s the link if you would like to see what crazy creation I came up with:
http://www.potholesandpantyhose.com/A/Arts_%26_Crap.html
I’m now crusing the spray paint aisle every chance I get to think of what I can do next. This looks awesome!
Jen´s last blog ..How much do I know
Perfect timing! Today I’m on a spray painting mission… painting several things I found clearance at Garden Ridge but do not like the color or finish.
I’ve spray painted picture frames, wooden wall shelves, and a side table.
Sugar Mama´s last blog ..Water Park Fun
It looks GREAT on your mantel, if you ask me! And I actually think it looks more natural now than it did in that rusty orange color. Good job!
Richella´s last blog ..A treat for your hands
Wow, so much better in white!
Amber @ handmade wooden toys´s last blog ..Babywearing Mama Figure
I haven’t sprayed anything lately except tassel toppers, but I have to say that I go to Goodwill now with “spray paint eyes.” Meaning I look at everything as if I could make it better with a coat of paint. I never would have thought that way without your inspiration! : )
Heathahlee´s last blog ..Butterfly Genes Wants to Go to the Dogs!
My intentions are pure but I always dread picking up a can of spray paint or a paint brush. Is there a cure for this? Do I need therapy? If I could get over this I could work miracles. I really want to. I do!
Nancy
Very, very cool!
kel´s last blog ..Target Practice With My Foot
Wow. That coral looks very Jonathan Adleresque. I loooooove me some Jonathan Adler
condo blues´s last blog ..Top 10 Reasons to Vote for Lisa Nelsen-Woods as the Salada Tea Spokesperson
oh my gosh! have I spray painted lately? YUP! and probably too much!!!
it’s the best for a quick inexpensive change!