Oil rubbed bronze {ORB} love

Wow! I learned that you can use ORB on pretty much anything. And I learned how to spell conniption. Scientific proof that I can learn more than one thing in a day!!

Great post!!

Amy

Gahhhh - shiny brass makes my eyes hurt! (No offense to anyone who loves it - too many years of apartment living have scarred me!)

I have recently fallen in love with the Krylon brushed nickel - used it on a GOLD mirror and it looks oh-so Pottery Barn! But now I'm looking around for a place to let ORB into into life!

I too have had to spray paint some of the things in our house ORB to make them match. Thank Goodness for this marvelous stuff they call spray paint. It makes my pocket book a whole lot happier!

I'm an ORB girl baby, especially with all my outdoor furniture. It ALL got the ORB treatment by Rustoleum ! Indoors, it's more brushed nickel, but antique brass accessories get me excited too. I'm fickle, can't decide, but do believe in the power of the ORB ! Can't go wrong. :-)

i am dying to use orb on my brass dome light fixtures. i just need to get my husband to disconnect them for me first. i am so excited!!!

It was 50 degrees here today and I was excited that I could finally pull out my ORB spray paint! I used it on all of my bathroom fixtures... lights, towel holders, and shower curtain rod. Can't wait to put it all back together after I paint. Awesome stuff!

Paint does wonders for almost anything. Last fall I painted every single one of the shiny brass hinges in my house a brushed pewter as well as several light fixtures. What a change!

I love this paint as well; I am painting every thing in sight!

I love ORB too! You know, I was at Lowes the other day and I found those exact cup thingies for sliding closet doors. It was a 2 pack for $2! I almost grabbed enough of the ORB for all my closets, then remembered that my husband isn't much of a fan and we're going with satin nickel in our house... They were out of that finish, but I'm going next week and will say goodbye to all the brass in our house soon too!

Wow, your projects using ORB paint all look fabulous! I am an ORB girl all the way, our kitchen hardware is all ORB and I love it! We also have it on our new sliding door and the kitchen casements. I can't wait to replace our door knobs which are all shiny brass with ORB. I may have to hit up Walmart tomorrow for some spray paint and give it a whirl!

Kat :)

I like shiny chrome and brass, in the right places, of course ;)

This post is exactly why I love blogs! I didn't know of this product and if home depot didn't close in 10 minutes, I would seriously be heading there right now.

We have an older house with lots of charm but the previous owners were brass happy people to say the least!

This is going to save me a ton on light fixtures, door knobs, etc, etc!

Thank you for this wonderful post!!!

I love the ORB! I've used it on frames, cabinet knobs, and even an ugly ole' toothbrush holder. It looks fabulous now and know one would guess that I didn't spend $30 on it. Don't tell. ;)

I am gonna attack the shiny brass in my house now! We are in a rental house and the owner said we could "improve" on the place if we wanted to. I totally want to change things but don't want to spend much money when the place isn't ours. ORB to the rescue! Thanks for the tips!

No, I cannot stand the shiny brass anymore. We have changed all the doorknobs in the house and we have replaced a few light fixtures. Now I need the paint to paint the rest. Thanks for sharing this info.

Everything looks awesome!!! What is your technique for spray painting so perfectly? Years ago I attempted to spray paint something (I believe it was a metal?) and I had horrible drip lines. Very disappointing! Do you prep it with something first? Any info would be greatly appreciated. I would love to do what you did to this antique gold frame that I've grown to dislike for some time now!!

I really enjoy your blog! You've inspired me to get back into DIY mode! Thanks! :)

OH OH OH!!! I found that stuff last week!! I've used it on a toilet paper holder, a light fixture, a "D" that hangs on a wall, and have plans to use it to spray a ceiling fan that is shiny brass. ICK!! I <3 it, too!! BEST.STUFF.EVER!!! Too funny that you blogged about it right after I found it!! :o)

julie
julie.dunworth@yahoo.com

Great hint. I enjoyed seeing your projects.
Kathy

Okay, the timing of this post is perfect! I just bought Rustoleum's Oil Rubbed Bronze at Home Depot on Monday. And just to be a little ~ dare I say it ~ daring, I bought TWO cans! Holla! I tested it on a gold colored frame that I have and I love it! I just have to get a new print for the frame now.

I have another picture frame to do and then it's on to the big jobby ~ the gold mirror in my great room!

I have come over to the ORB side! : )

This post made me laugh...I've been looking for ORB forever too and couldn't find it anywhere..then just the other day I picked up a can @ Wal-mart too! Crazy..the plan is to spray a ivory metal piece in the ORB, it's going to look so much better.

I am getting rid of shiny brass slowly but surely. I DO NOT like it at all.

I found the ORB Krylon some time ago and love it. I have used it on lots of projects.

Yeah for the end of the brass!

I have never gotten into the ORB, but I am obsessed with Kylons High Heat & Radiator in silver. I got a bunch of cans on clearance and the stuff has amazing coverage. It sparkles a bit too which is nice.

I do love me some ORB. It's funny, though, I wasn't that big of a fan until I moved into this house (I know...the horror). We had brushed nickel in the old house and that was nice, but ORB just felt so much cozier and classier in this house. Isn't it funny how that works?

I wonder if my landlord would even notice if I spray painted ALL of the ugly fixtures in this house!

Renting stinks! I cannot wait to get into our house!!

I love ORB too. I used it on a lamp and it turned out great! I am now wanting to cover up the brass on the lights upstairs.
You projects turned out great!

I LOVE ORB!!!!! I totally took my over the toilet shelfy thing outside yesterday and srayed away with the ORB(It was the first day in our area above freezing) that of course set my DOCD in action and now we have a completly redone bathroom 24 hours and 24 dollors later!

Thanks for sharing what worked for you. I have a beautiful gold frame that I love everything about it, except that it is gold. I think ORB will be in my future. :)

I'll hide in the corner in shame - I really don't mind the shiny brass. I don't like pewter, it seems too cold to me.

I love ORB, but in my house, it's brushed nickel or the black iron stuff. Good to read that Heather (comment #2) has good luck with Krylon brushed nickel. It's hard to find good brushed nickel paint, w/o looking cheap.
I just wish it woiuld hold up on door knobs. All of ours (30+ of 'em) are shiny, builder grade brass. ick. So expensive to replace, though. *sigh*

Do you have any suggestions on how to paint fiber board? I have a bookshelf from Ikea and it's a horrible birch wood color and I would like to paint it black & do some distressing on it. I'm just afraid to sand it down and none of the paint will adhere...

I got so excited when I started reading this! I totally love ORB, and actually used it on my yucky brass fixture in my foyer today of all days! Ha! It looks SO much better! I was thinking about doing it on our doorknobs to our bedrooms, but a little worried of it scratching off. Do you rough up the metal before you spray knobs and such?

Thank you! We have so many different colors of knobs and lights going on in our house. It drives me nuts. I will definitely be getting some ORB and maybe some pewter. Good things we have a heated garage. :)

Wow - it all looks so great. I wonder how it would do on door handles. Have you ever tried that?

XOXO
Jen

Ooh! Saw this just in time. Have been wondering if I could spray paint my gaudy shiny brass fixtures, etc an antique gold. Voila! And just in time for my tax refund! I know what I'll be doing. Everything looks great. Love it! :)

That reminds me... I haven't been to Stein Mart since we moved here 2 year ago. Thanks for the reminder... oh, and love the paint job on the frames!

Di
The Blue Ridge Gal

crap girl!!!! That is awesome!

Oh - the everloving orb! It had been ages since I've been able to calm the swelling storm of spray paint withdrawal. I was spray painting today and went to reach for my ORB, but I was out!!!! The flat black had to do. Thanks for sharing my passion for the spray!

I think I <3 you! The contractor used gold and silver here *shudder* Yes gold and silver in the same room! Eeeeeek.

IDK, not really into the matchy-matchy look. It's like wearing an outfit with your shoes, belt, and purse all the same color - ick! I don't care for shiny brass, but I LOVE an ornate antique gold piece in a mod-ish room! And I have no problem mixing stainless steel, wrought iron, and antique gold in a room. I think that look is hot and current. Not really an ORB girl. It seems too, ummm, Missiony or Plantation (???) to me. I actually spray painted two ORB candle holders matte black today. True story. Love your blog, tho! Keep on blogging!

I love your projects but am sad that Bronze Rustolum spray paint is now almost impossible to find! I have 1/2 a can left and 4 garden lights that desperately need repainted bronze this summer.

I"m wondering the same thing JEN JEN - has anyone tried this spray on door knobs/ handles / pulls? If it works - I"m going to down on our rental. That is one thing I HATE (and we were going to update before we sell) - the brass / gold everywhere. Cheap & U-G-L-Y. I also HATE those cheap boob shaped (well we think they are) lights on the ceiling.

Shut up! I did not know that existed! We have ORB fixtures in our master bath but recently had to get a new showerhead. We went on the cheap and ended up with a brushed nickel finish because the ORB was double the price. I wonder how this would hold up on a showerhead...?

I use ORB on everything-almost nothing in the house stands a chance!!
My local walmart normally sells it but right now they are out and it's really got me peeved since I'm also out. I refuse to pay Home Depot's $3.97 when I can get it at Walmart for $2.97 . . . ridiculous I know but I'm on a budget! :)

Is there anything you haven't transformed with this stuff!? Wow...great transformations! Janell

I actually like the Rustoleum ORB better, it is a bit lighter. And the little flecks of color...sigh...

I ♥ ♥ ♥ shiny brass.


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Did you believe that??? lol


I need to get on the ORB train. I stick to mostly black & white spray paint. I've done pink. And I have a can of super shiny red to spruce up a piece of vintage furniture. Love!

Hey, head over & enter the giveaway on my blog. Cute pillows!!

SARAH, SARAH, SARAH !!!!!! I know we live in the same area and just have to tell you.....I went to my local Ace Hardware - you know, your "helpful hardware place" and asked about the ORB and they said they didn't have any. I asked if they still made it. They said yes, but something about they would have to order too many cans to special order me one. I asked them if they could get it if I bought a case. Several phone calls back and forth and they said "YES!" A case is only six cans! So I ordered the case. You might want to try it. this was at the Ace in Noblesville.

I just got a can of ORB at Walmart too! No metallic surface is safe in my house. However, I do have a lot of antique brass which is supposed to be coming into vogue...

Sarah, i love the ORB post! Makes us all love spray paint even more. When the snow melts, there will def be ORB overspray all ova my grass!!

btw, you really should link this post to An Nicole's ORB "taste test" post. Its a definitive experiment on what paint can and should replace your old fav ORB.

your readers who love the info over there on top of what you wrote here.

since you two were roomies at blissdom i imagine you two talking about ORB late into the night... or not.

Love the picture frame makeover!! :) I guess ORB can go with just about anything. ;)

I'm so glad you showed that frame! I have some frames in my living room that I painted white and distressed a year ago and they've never looked right. I'm going to give the ORB a try!
Oh- I also really like rustoleum's hammered brown for spray painting metal stuff!

The Home Depot I work at has the ORB Rustoleum spray. Too bad you didn't live closer.. I'd totally get your some.

I love how everything has changed in your house (for the better) with that paint! I'm inspired... I have hated our lamps for a while but never got up the courage to paint them. I might now. Or you know... when it's no longer freezing and snowy out..... :D

Well, if I hadn't been bitten by the Orb bug yet, I certainly have now! What a tour!

TDC turned me on to the ORB spray paint! My life would not be the same without it! :)

Love all of your projects. I too, am a lover of orb. I have painted my front door handle and light fixtures. I read in a magazine the other day orb is going out of style, it said brushed nickel was the latest and greatest. I about cryed. I love orb. I will stay true to orb forever. Well until we start talking about it like we do brass, right.

I am an ORB girl too. In fact, I just recently updated all my kitchen hardware from silver to ORB (post is here if interested: http://livelovedecorate.wordpress.com/2010/02/16/kitchen-switcheroo/). I struggle to be confident enough to spray things. But, you have given me the courage. In the spring I am going to give it a try :)

Oh. My. God. How did you know that I was coming to your website today with the intention of digging through your old posts in order to find out what kind of paint you used to cover the brass on your fireplace?? And here you go and have a whole entire post about the paint used to cover brass! FREAKY!

This is the first time I've left a comment, but seriously the fact that you just posted about the topic I was going to search for is freaking me out a bit so I had to comment.

Also, I must gush a bit and say that I love you and your blog! You have inspired me to make so many cute updates and improvements on my house, even during a time when money is TIGHT. I've sent your link to so many friends and family and we all agree that you are the best. Keep it up girlie!

Love this post. I just used the Krylon Matte aluminum on some of my brass door knobs. I have been wanting to do the slight brass on my fireplace but was afraid too of not using a fireproof paint. Think I'll get some of my black & give it a shot. Thanks for a great post!

I found ALL the products on Amazon-WOO HOO!

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B001UE7MU6/ref=ord_cart_shr?_encoding=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&v=glance

Thanks for an amazing post. I can't wait to try it out on everything.

Also, any tips on painting a metal door? Do you think I'd be able to spray paint with Rust-Oleum?

Christi
Northern KY

I don't think there is enough character space in this text box to list ALL of the things I have painted with ORB spray paint!!! LOL I love the stuff. Such an easy peasy update!

As always lurrvv the blog! You give so much inspiration..
I am getting now into the ORB, but a few years ago I changed the horrible brass knobs to antique brass...still luurvv it!

i have an ugly huge mirror in my living room that is getting "ORB'd" ASAP!

cannot wait! thanks for the tip!!!

This post was so perfect for me, I am going to repaint a mirror and wasn't sure if it would work or not. Thanks for all the inspiration!

I am so with you. I have sprayed just about everything in sight with that stuff. Love it. Hugs, Marty

I did this to all of my kitchen cabinet pulls that were brass. I would have replaced all of them but they have the plates behind them and they made grooves in some of the cabinet doors from being on there for a long time. So I decided to prime and ORB them all. Suprisingly they have held up incredibly well and look awesome. The kitchen instantly looked better on the cheap.

I read that a few of you have ORB'ed your kitchen knobs and/or door handles.
How does it hold up??

I would love to ORB all of my brass door handles, but I'm afraid of having it wear off with use.

Wow!!! My wheels are turning, thinking of things that I can spray some ORB on! What do you think about a whole piece of furniture?

First just let me say that I love you, you absolutely crack me up. No other blogger talks decor with such sass! I personally DO NOT love the gold brass grossness that's all over my home. Thank you for saving my sanity AND wallet by showing me all the things I can spray paint. I'm gonna have to bust a trip to the Mart!
God's blessings on your afternoon,
Sarah :)

I love me some spray paint but I think that you are the queen of it:) I love how it changes the look of the picture. It does pop now.

Yay for NO brass!!! :-) I haven't used ORB spray paint yet but I'm gonna now. I have an orb acrylic paint in a little bottle at home that I have yet to crack the seal on b/c I'm afraid I'll screw up whatever I'm trying to paint. I just might have the nerve to try using it this weekend though. Wish me luck! ;-)

ORB? Learned a new term...thankyouverymuch. I need to do my brass door knobs. They stare at me and laugh. Have you ever done knobs? I am wondering if it would be better to order them and then spray paint the hinges? I don't know how well it would hold up. Whatchathink/

This post came at the perfect time! I was just about to search your blog comments from an earlier ORB-related post to see if anyone had commented about a brand as an alternative to the now-scarce Rustoleum ORB. Thanks for the tip on Krylon!

I use Krylon spray paint for EVERYTHING. It's a pretty good cheap spray paint brand. I recently used Krylon brown leather to paint my dining room set (which is not technically a dining room set it's a OLD but beautiful table that a couple gave us for free). Now I think I might try ORB on my bedside lamps, they need a change!

I LOVE spray painting with ORB as well....I paint just about everything from light fixtures, frames, mirrors, curtain rods, finials, and have even spray painted all our door knobs in the house. The door knobs are a bit challenging, but it sure beats spending 20-40 bucks on a door knob set and none of peeled or cracked yet. I have no problem finding the Rustoleum brand at Lowe's. Not sure if you have Lowe's where you are, but I'm sure you could order it online. Love the blog!!! You give me such great idea's!!

glad you posted this because i just bought a house with ugly finishes on the lighting and hardware! glad to know this works and covers great!!!!!!!!!!!

I HATE shiny brass. Everything in our house is shiny brass, except the lights which are brushed nickel. I would be so happy if everything matched. I never even thought about spray painting them... I think there's a new project brewing at my house.

ok...you're in indianapolis...i'm north of fort wayne....WHERE do you spray paint in the middle of winter?????? inside??? do you brave the outside temps?? i have to know because i have tons of projects stacked up waiting til spring!

oh we have nasty gold door handles...I can't wait to see how the closet door handle goes.

I have a couple of projects in mind. I can't wait to try ORB. My usual black may suffer from this post! Thanks!

I swear, I've looked all over for that ORB spray paint and haven't found it in Rustoleum or Krylon. They didn't have it at my Walmart, last I checked, or even Home Depot. Since I am so impatient, I've done plain black and lightly mist dark brown over it to soften it up...or vice-versa with the brown first. This works pretty well in a pinch. I also have some bronze craft paint that I paint on and wipe off to add that touch of bronze. I'm still keeping my eye out for that ORB. Your frames look great!

we recently replaced all the doorknobs in our house and i absolutely LOVE them. i had looked on ebay and found a seller who had what i wanted, but he has his own website where they are even cheaper (cuz he doesn't have to pay the ebay fees)! here's a post i did about it and you can link to the website where i bought them:

http://patrickandmer.blogspot.com/2010/01/black-is-new-brass.html

I need some ORB to paint some random stuff for my bathroom. I know my local Ace Hardware carries both the Krylon and Rustoleum brands of ORB. Just thought I'd let you know!

having trouble finding ORB around here, but our walmart had a hammered metal finish spraypaint that looked similar.
We have a 100+yr old farmhouse ,dh spray painted one of the old doorknobs with it,and it looks fabulous,and so far is holding up great! Next is the bathroom towel and tp holder!

So, I just got a suggestion from someone in blogland for me to spray paint the knobs in my kitchen with the ORB spray paint. I was so excited for the idea, and after this post, I am super excited! I was going to try a couple to see how they held up to high usage like the kitchen, but do you think it will be okay for a place like the kitchen? The pulls I will have to do it "quick" and "light" like you said. My door knobs are all already ORB, I am just mad my faucet is brushed nickel :( Yikes, will that look bad having ORB handles with nickel faucet?

Have you ever spray painted a door handle or knob? Does it effect how it turns? Or is it just easier to replace them?

Thanks for some great ideas! I am always looking for quick, creative, thrifty ways to update my house!

Amen, sista! It took me 3 years, but I finally got rid of all my shiny brass fixtures, with either yardsale finds or spray painting them. Yep, that ORB is a good thing. I did mine before the spray paint came out using another method, but the spray paints are great.

ORB saved my life! Well, at least $20. We got an ORB faucet for the kitchen sink awhile back. But, we needed to get a replacement for the little shiny silver cap that goes next to the faucet to vent the dishwasher or whatever. We hadn't done it, because I have many other things I'd rather spend $20 on. Then I realized I had a can of ORB spray in the garage! So, the other day, I sprayed it and it's way better!!! Yay for ORB!!!

I tried Krylon brand for the first time last week. I did.not.like!
I've had the hardest time getting it to cover a simple metal frame. It's taken about a bazillion coats! UGH!

Oh darlin!

As soon as I saw the title to this post in my reader, I knew what you were talking about. ORB junkie right here!!!!

I've actually toyed with painting a nightstand with ORB...just for fun.

Okay...hold the phone...this stuff actually exists? I have been looking at our brass ceiling fans for the past two years wondering if there was a way I could take away the brass without having to take away the fan. You just gave me a new project.

I'll have to wait until spring though - preggo and trapped fumes don't mix!

As always, your posts never disappoint!

I like anything but shiny brass but watch as I say it next years trend will be shiny brass! I love how all your projects turned out but I think I like your lamps the best!

Holy moly, just as im reading your post im thinking...hmmm, i wonder if i can ORB those uckie brass door knobs??? Let us know how it goes! ORB on!

OMG I just found your blog and as a soon to be new homeowner I just love all your ideas and you are very inspiring!! I've spent the past hour reading through your archives and can't wait to read more. Consider me a new follower!

I love this color! I am going to go get some. I have a question. How did you spray paint your vents. I have some vents that need a face lift! Please help. Also I would love to go shopping with you, but I live in Utah. Dang! If you are ever here in Utah let me know and I will be the first in line!

Has anyone ever tried it on switch plate covers? I love the bronze ones, but no way can I afford to change the whole house out! Plus, were military, so were gonna have to sell in a few years, so little investment with big appeal is always good! Anyone got a tip, please please leave me a message!

Miss Thrifty you are killing me here with all this ORB paint flaunting you are doing here! I looked in every single store in my town for any brand of ORB and have come to the conclusion that Canada has banned said color. Thank goodness I live near the border and can make a quick trip south. Hopefully I can find it there!

I was casually thumbing through the lowes insert in my local newspaper when I saw "Oil Rubbed Bronze Vent Cover" and I totally thought of this blog entry =)

Thank goodness I finally realized that Orb...is Oil Rubbed Bronze. I thought Orb was a color that I hadn't heard of! Brain freeze!
I have wanted to change my vents forever. I never thought to Spray Paint them! Great call.

I picked up my ORB last night - and will be attempting it for the first time this weekend!!

YAY!

But where are you finding this wonderful paint? I've looked at our (Duluth, MN) Home Depot, WalMart and KMart and none carry either the Rustoleum or Krylon Oil Rubbed Bronze. And after all the great inspiration in your blog, I'd love to try some out!

I am so getting some of this paint...great post and thanks

Oh dang. Reading this has added about 10 projects to my running mental tally. Love your results, though, and can't wait to see some of my own. So maybe I should say "oh yay!" instead!

"just do it for goodness sakes" This made me lol! That is totally how I operate! I intend to do something for a while, then, bam!, I just have to do it right now!

I'd love to spray paint our fireplace surround in ORB as you did. We have the ugly, dated brass. Any helpful hints about the process. I'm afraid of getting spray paint all over the place while spray painting indoors. Guess you just need to tape things off really really really good first.

I love the ORB look. We just built a new house and used ORB almost everywhere. Now that we're here, I want to update some old lamps, etc. Where do you do all of the spray painting? Garage, basement, outside?

Thanks!
Susie

I found lots and lots of Rustoleum ORB at Lowe's today. This was in OH though...maybe your Lowe's has it too???

Love your blog! Do you prep before using spray paint? I love the ORB on the fireplaces and would like to do this in our home. I'm a "newbie" at DIY and your blog is truly inspirational!

I love the patina of 1950's brass, especially pieces with a Mid Century Modern flair. I'm slowly replacing all the light fixtures in my home with 60 year old ones!

Just thought I would let you know that you definately inspired me to spray paint my kitchen knobs ORB, and I love them so much! Check them out :) http://www.justforrachel.com/2010/02/i-love-my-new-knobs.html

We've been in ORB love for a year & I had no idea I could get it in spray paint!!!!! I am getting after it this weekend. THANKS!

I TOTALLY ADORE ORB !!! I've been using this ORB spray paint for months now & have to RESIST the temptation to spray EVERYTHING with it ! Even the Hubster has to keep moving, so I won't spray him !! LOL !

I have been reading all the blogs ( such a (lame word ) BLOG ! any ways , yo my dear are funny !!! well @ least in 2010 when you wrote about ORB ! Hope you keep it up , i am reading all yalls BLOGS , beacause your was pretty funny What ev !!!