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How to Paint a Metal Sign – Marquee Star

Do you have a metal sign that needs a makeover? Learn how to paint a metal sign easily with this step by step tutorial.

Giant metal marquee star hanging on a wall with text overlay How to Paint a Metal Sign.

Marquee Star

Every time I take down our Outdoor Christmas Countdown Marquee Sign from the front of our house I find something is missing until I replace it with our 3D Barn Quilt in the Spring.

I have been determined to figure out what I could put in it’s place in between seasons.

Then I remembered that I have a giant gold marquee star that I could paint with outdoor paint and hang it up outside!

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How to paint a metal sign

Supplies

  • Metal sign
  • Sandpaper
  • Shop towels or microfiber cloth
  • Object to prop up the sign – I used two bricks
  • Spray Paint for metal – I used Tremclad Outdoor Oil-Based Rust Paint in Semi-Gloss Flat Black

Tools:

Instructions:

Step 1: Remove light bulbs from the marquee sign.

Giant gold star marquee sign.
Removing light bulb from sign.
Star marquee sign without light bulbs.

Step 2: Use sandpaper to scuff the entire surface that will be painted.

Scuff sanding the sign.

Step 3: Dust the surface using shop towels or microfiber cloth.

Removing dust from sign.

Step 4: Prop up the sign. I placed two bricks underneath.

Two bricks on piece of cardboard.
Metal sign propped up by two bricks.

Step 5: (Optional) Place painters tape over the marquee light switch if located in the paint area.

Switch covered with painters tape.

Step 6: Apply a thin coat of spray paint over the edge of the sign.

Close up of sign with spray paint can.
Sign edge painted in black.
Painting sides of sign with spray paint.
Edges of sign painted in black.

Step 7: To avoid getting paint inside the light sockets, place something inside the holes. We used small pieces of shop towel, a better alternative would be small pieces of wax paper.

Light bulb sockets filled with shop towels.

Step 8: Spray paint the remainder of the metal sign.

Wet paint on metal sign.

Step 9: Remove what is inside the light sockets with pliers like that they don’t stick in place.

Pliers removing shop towel from socket.

Step 10: Repeat step 6 through 8 until the metal sign is painted to your liking.

Metal star with wet paint.

Step 11: Allow to dry the recommended time found on the spray paint can.

Metal sign drying.

Step 12: Replace the light bulbs into the sockets.

Inserting light bulbs into sign.
Black marquee star metal sign.

Step 13: Hang the metal sign.

Black marquee star hanging on wall.

Metal Sign Makeover – Marquee Star

Painting the marquee star took no time at all but goodness did it give it a major new look.

I hung it up in our living room for fun since it has to avoid moisture for 24-48 hours.

Giant metal marquee star hanging on a wall.

Now I have a little problem, I really like it in our living room! haha Looks like it won’t be going outside for a while!

Guess I will find something else to hang in the front of the house until I decide to switch it up. Maybe something like this outdoor wall art, it’s super pretty!

Don’t worry, I already have another idea! Stay tuned!

Have a wonderful day!

Julie

Saturday 16th of September 2023

This looks great, you got a beautiful finish on this star.

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