How to Paint a Ceiling Fan
If your ceiling fan has a light kit, start disassembling that first., Remove each blade and blade bracket from the motor housing assembly., Remove the screws holding the canopy in place., From the ground, start disassembling the body of the fan...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: If your ceiling fan has a light kit
First, remove the glass shades by unscrewing the thumbscrews holding them in place.
Then remove the light kit fitter assembly by removing the screws holding it in place.
Install them into the holes in the motor and screw them halfway in place.
A drill will make this go much faster, but a Phillips head screwdriver will work, too. -
Step 2: start disassembling that first.
They will most likely come off together.
Set them and their screws aside for later.
It's best to keep the screws all together in a bowl so none mysteriously run away from you.
Keep it off to the side where it won't get hit by wide-swinging fan blades or small children. , Slide the canopy down and disconnect the wiring.
At this point you can remove the ceiling fan from the ceiling.
Leave the mounting bracket attached to the ceiling. , As you take apart each piece, place it down in your work area on top of a surface covered by newspaper, a tarp, or any material you don't mind getting painted.
Here's how to finish disassembly:
Start by removing each blade from each blade bracket.
Install the screws into each blade bracket halfway in place.
Then remove the down rod from the motor housing assembly.
Install the screws into the holes in the top of the motor housing assembly.
After that, remove the bottom faceplate from the motor housing assembly.
Set the bolts and screws aside for later.
Finish by removing the pull chains.
Set them aside for later, too. , With some multi-purpose spray and a damp rag, get to town on making that fan cleaner than it’s probably ever been.
You don’t want to paint over dust, dead bugs, and grime.
This goes for the blades, the brackets, switch housing cover, download, and anything else that you’re going to paint (even if you’re not painting certain parts, these could probably go for a cleaning anyway).Either let it air dry or wipe it dry thoroughly with a clean rag when you're done.
And dry it thoroughly – you don't want to be working with a wet or damp fan. , This will help strip the fan of any leftover dirt, dust, or old, flaky paint.
This part could be optional if you’re working with a fan that’s in very good condition, but for older fans, it makes the job much easier.After sanding, make sure to wipe off any grains of residue.
A clean rag and some soapy water is simple and works well.
Let the parts air dry. , In an old t-shirt and gloves, shake up the bottle and test it on an area of old newspaper or cardboard.
Once it’s ready to go, spray the blades and/or hardware pieces with a thin, even coat.
Allow them to air dry.
It’s easiest to work with primer in spray paint form when it comes to a ceiling fan.
You could use generic liquid primer, but this stuff is much less messy and goes on easier and more evenly. , Again, using spray paint is easiest (though not mandatory), and for any color you should be spraying from about 6–8 inches (15.2–20.3 cm) away.Move the can in a side-to-side motion to get an even coat of paint.
It’s best to start with the blades first, so they can get to drying.
Neutral colors (grey, white, brown) generally always work, but brighter colors can add a splash of fun that match the room’s look, too.
What’s more, you could even buy paint in shades of metal, like nickel or copper, to give your fan an updated, more modern look.
If you don’t want certain bits to get painted, cover them with painter’s tape. , Let it dry, too, and inspect the pieces for any parts that have gone missed or that need a thicker coat in certain areas.
If you’ve only missed a teeny, tiny section, you could always touch it up with the right shade of permanent marker. , Start with re-installing the down rod and securing the screws (aren’t you glad you put them off to the side in that bowl?).
Let the canopy drop to the top of the motor housing assembly.
Then, also from the ground, re-install the faceplate and the blades to the blade brackets. , Once that’s done, reconnect all wiring with electrical tape and wire nuts.
Slide the canopy up to the ceiling and secure it.
If this is getting a little confusing, LifeGuide Hub has articles on both installing ceiling fans and replacing ceiling fans that could help you decode how to do it correctly. , Make sure all the screws are placed in tightly and line up – this will likely be the most tedious task of them all.
It’s not difficult; it’s just time consuming. , After you’ve completed this task, pull the chains and turn on the light.
If it works, great.
If it doesn’t, you’ll have to go back and retrace your steps.
Odds are something was just done in the wrong order.
After that, your only job is to sit back and enjoy your newly painted ceiling fan! -
Step 3: Remove each blade and blade bracket from the motor housing assembly.
-
Step 4: Remove the screws holding the canopy in place.
-
Step 5: From the ground
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Step 6: start disassembling the body of the fan.
-
Step 7: Clean the fan.
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Step 8: Sand the blades with 120-grit sandpaper.
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Step 9: Paint all parts with white-colored primer.
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Step 10: After the white-colored primer is dry
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Step 11: paint all of the parts.
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Step 12: After the first coat of paint is dry
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Step 13: apply a second coat of paint to all parts.
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Step 14: From the ground
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Step 15: begin reassembling your fan.
-
Step 16: Hang the ceiling fan into the mounting bracket.
-
Step 17: Secure each blade and blade bracket to the motor housing assembly.
-
Step 18: If your ceiling fan has a light kit and pull chains
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Step 19: re-install them.
Detailed Guide
First, remove the glass shades by unscrewing the thumbscrews holding them in place.
Then remove the light kit fitter assembly by removing the screws holding it in place.
Install them into the holes in the motor and screw them halfway in place.
A drill will make this go much faster, but a Phillips head screwdriver will work, too.
They will most likely come off together.
Set them and their screws aside for later.
It's best to keep the screws all together in a bowl so none mysteriously run away from you.
Keep it off to the side where it won't get hit by wide-swinging fan blades or small children. , Slide the canopy down and disconnect the wiring.
At this point you can remove the ceiling fan from the ceiling.
Leave the mounting bracket attached to the ceiling. , As you take apart each piece, place it down in your work area on top of a surface covered by newspaper, a tarp, or any material you don't mind getting painted.
Here's how to finish disassembly:
Start by removing each blade from each blade bracket.
Install the screws into each blade bracket halfway in place.
Then remove the down rod from the motor housing assembly.
Install the screws into the holes in the top of the motor housing assembly.
After that, remove the bottom faceplate from the motor housing assembly.
Set the bolts and screws aside for later.
Finish by removing the pull chains.
Set them aside for later, too. , With some multi-purpose spray and a damp rag, get to town on making that fan cleaner than it’s probably ever been.
You don’t want to paint over dust, dead bugs, and grime.
This goes for the blades, the brackets, switch housing cover, download, and anything else that you’re going to paint (even if you’re not painting certain parts, these could probably go for a cleaning anyway).Either let it air dry or wipe it dry thoroughly with a clean rag when you're done.
And dry it thoroughly – you don't want to be working with a wet or damp fan. , This will help strip the fan of any leftover dirt, dust, or old, flaky paint.
This part could be optional if you’re working with a fan that’s in very good condition, but for older fans, it makes the job much easier.After sanding, make sure to wipe off any grains of residue.
A clean rag and some soapy water is simple and works well.
Let the parts air dry. , In an old t-shirt and gloves, shake up the bottle and test it on an area of old newspaper or cardboard.
Once it’s ready to go, spray the blades and/or hardware pieces with a thin, even coat.
Allow them to air dry.
It’s easiest to work with primer in spray paint form when it comes to a ceiling fan.
You could use generic liquid primer, but this stuff is much less messy and goes on easier and more evenly. , Again, using spray paint is easiest (though not mandatory), and for any color you should be spraying from about 6–8 inches (15.2–20.3 cm) away.Move the can in a side-to-side motion to get an even coat of paint.
It’s best to start with the blades first, so they can get to drying.
Neutral colors (grey, white, brown) generally always work, but brighter colors can add a splash of fun that match the room’s look, too.
What’s more, you could even buy paint in shades of metal, like nickel or copper, to give your fan an updated, more modern look.
If you don’t want certain bits to get painted, cover them with painter’s tape. , Let it dry, too, and inspect the pieces for any parts that have gone missed or that need a thicker coat in certain areas.
If you’ve only missed a teeny, tiny section, you could always touch it up with the right shade of permanent marker. , Start with re-installing the down rod and securing the screws (aren’t you glad you put them off to the side in that bowl?).
Let the canopy drop to the top of the motor housing assembly.
Then, also from the ground, re-install the faceplate and the blades to the blade brackets. , Once that’s done, reconnect all wiring with electrical tape and wire nuts.
Slide the canopy up to the ceiling and secure it.
If this is getting a little confusing, LifeGuide Hub has articles on both installing ceiling fans and replacing ceiling fans that could help you decode how to do it correctly. , Make sure all the screws are placed in tightly and line up – this will likely be the most tedious task of them all.
It’s not difficult; it’s just time consuming. , After you’ve completed this task, pull the chains and turn on the light.
If it works, great.
If it doesn’t, you’ll have to go back and retrace your steps.
Odds are something was just done in the wrong order.
After that, your only job is to sit back and enjoy your newly painted ceiling fan!
About the Author
Beverly Baker
Experienced content creator specializing in DIY projects guides and tutorials.
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