How to Refresh Your Ceiling Fan - Without Taking it Down Completely!

After

Before

Y'all - get into this ceiling fan! For years now I've been staring at this ugly white ceiling fan, and every time I looked at it I got a little mad. LOL. I finally decided to do something about it. I still can't believe I refreshed it for less than $12 with 2 cans of spray paint! It ain't one of my diy projects if it isn't budget friendly, amirite?!

Here is what you will need:
1. a can of brushed nickel spray paint
2. a can of black spray paint (satin finish)
3. a piece of cardboard
4 a drill to remove the screws
5. a hot glue gun

Here's the thing - I've installed a ceiling fan before and I know that it is a lot of work. Like, A LOT!. I was not about to pull this one down and reinstall - at least not completely. If you are careful with the spray paint, it can be done!

​Disclaimer: this is the process I chose to take because I have some experience changing out light fixtures/ceiling fans. Please proceed at your own risk and/or consult an electrician.

Step 1: turn off the power
Safety first! Turn off the power at the breaker box (don't just turn of the fan at the light switch!) Double check to make sure it's off

Step 2: unscrew the fan blades

Step 3: unscrew the lower portion of the fan where the light bulbs are
But don't remove it completely. You can let it hang from it's wires. Make sure you remove the light bulbs and the glass covers first - and when you remove those, that lower portion is not very heavy at all so it shouldn't put a lot of weight on the wires

Step 4: Remove the lower engine cover & filter from the fan.
Once you remove the lower portion (in step 3), it will be easy to unscrew and remove this portion. You'll notice that the cover has a thin piece of linen-like fabric that is glued to it. Gently remove this from it, and if  the fabric has dust in it, rinse it out and put it to dry.

Step 5: Spray paint the part of the fan that remains hanging.
Be sure to ventilate your room by opening the windows to promote airflow. Also remember to clear out the room so that the spray paint doesn't get on anything (because it will). And of course, wear safety equipment like a mask and goggles. 

Here is where the cardboard comes in. Use your cardboard and place it above the area you are spray painting. This way you avoid getting spray paint on your ceiling or getting it in your fan engine. If your ceiling fan has a down rod like mine, spray the down rod first, then once it's dry, put the cardboard behind the ceiling cap, then paint that.

While painting the down rod, I used painters tape to protect the ball of the down rod (which is black)

Step 6: Spray paint your fan blades, hardware and your engine cover.
Do this outside. Place them on a piece of cardboard and go to town, spraying in smooth strokes. For your blades, detach the blade hardware from the actual blade, given that they will be painted different colors. Don't forget to spray your screws! (I sprayed mine black)

Step 6: Re-assemble the engine cover.
Once the engine cover and the filter fabric are dry, it's time to put them back together. Grab your glue gun and re-attach the dried fabric back to the cover

Step 7. Re-assemble the hanging portion of the fan.
Once the fan is dry, put the pieces back together (i.e. re-attach the engine cover, and the lower portion of the fan. Finally add the newly sprayed blades and hardware.

That's it! It was super easy and quick. And now I can't stop staring at how much I like the fan now. Talk about drab to fab! Yassss!

Do you have a ceiling fan that needs a makeover? If you decide to spray paint it, let me know how it turns out!

Until the next adventure,
​~T