Vintage Inspired Painted Fan

It always amazes me on how a little paint can change something from ordinary to extraordinary! At least that is how I feel about this fan. It was a basic black circulating fan that I like to use in the summer. Of course I have the AC blasting since it’s 110 degrees outside, but every little bit of circulating air helps. But this fan was dirty and filthy (5 years of dust) and I considered getting rid of it. Then I saw this…

The Vornado Vintage Collection VFAN. It’s so sleek and glamorous, if you can call a fan glamorous! I wanted it, but had no desire to spend money on it, that’s when I decided to try painting the fan that I had. I figured if I ruin the fan, it wouldn’t be too much of a loss.

Here’s the before picture. This thing was difficult to clean. See all the dust on it, even after cleaning once. I had to use Q-tips to get all the dust out of the crevices of this fan. The front part of the fan snaps off so you can clean the grill and the blades. Of course, make sure it’s unplugged first.

fan, can of spray primer, 2 cans white glossy spray paint, plastic grocery bags, painters tape, liquid gold leaf, foam brushes, clear spray sealant, hot glue gun, 1/8th inch leather lace in medium brown (50 ft)

Once clean, I sprayed the fan with a coat of primer, so that the spray paint will stick. I stuffed a bunch plastic grocery bags behind the fan blades, to protect the little fan engine from the spray paint. Originally I was not going to paint the blades, but then decided that I liked them better white than black. I used three light coats of the white spray paint to adequately cover the surface of the fan.

After spray painting the whole fan white and letting the paint dry, I taped the fan to protect the side and the center. I then used a foam brush to paint on the liquid gold leaf. Brush it gently across the top of the fan. The liquid gold leaf goes on so smoothly. When dry, use another foam brush to get in between the spokes. Once adequately covered and dry spray with the clear sealant spray.

One last detail. I didn’t like the look of the black cord. So I wrapped it with 1/8th inch leather craft lace, applying glue to the leather, in spots, to hold it in place.

Cute, right! It so much prettier to look at now!

Linked to ~ The Makers, Show & Tell, On Display Thursday, Moonlight & Mason Jars, Link Party Palooza, Liz Marie Blog, Say G’Day Saturday, Funky Junk, Be Different Act Normal, Think Pink Sunday, The Creative Collection