What to Do With a Rusty Chandelier

Clean & Paint

• Remove the light bulbs and any plastic sleeves from the arms of a chandelier in order to prepare it for cleaning. Scrub the rusty chandelier with a wire brush to remove the rust. Clean the chandelier with all-purpose cleaner to remove any vestiges of rust. Dry the chandelier completely, then spray-paint it with exterior metal spray paint. After the first coat of paint dries, apply a second coat of paint and let it dry.

Repurpose

• Repurpose the old chandelier into a hanging candleholder by removing the wires exiting the top. You could also have the chandelier rewired if you prefer to use it as an electric light. A lighting expert can rewire the chandelier for you. To use the chandelier as a candleholder, do not reinstall the light bulbs. Tapered candlesticks fit inside the light-bulb sockets; wrap the bottoms of the candles with foil to make them fit more snugly inside the socket.

Decorate

• Drape crystal-prism strands between each of the chandelier's arms to add distinctive elegance to the candleholder design. Hang crystal prisms from dips and curves in the chandelier's arms using craft wire that matches the painted chandelier surface. Look for strands of crystals and crystal prisms at wedding-décor supply stores and chandelier-parts stores. In lieu of crystal prisms, make strands of colorful crystal beads to drape between the arms. Stained-glass nuggets and mosaic glass tiles are also objects you can use to decorate the chandelier. To make strands of tiles or nuggets, glue the objects back to back with a length of fishing line sandwiched in between. One-part epoxy adhesive works to glue the tiles together.

Lighting

• Add the candles to each light socket and hang the repurposed chandelier in the garden, on the patio or in your home above the dining table. Chandeliers often have small chains for hanging in the center of the top of the design. If a chain is not present already, a wire ring or attachment hole should be visible. Paint a new section of chain to match the chandelier and attach it to the hanger with craft wire. Hang rewired chandeliers inside your home.