How to Resurface Lamp Bases

Remove the lamp shade and set it aside. Wash the ceramic part of the lamp with a dampened sponge and a bit of dish soap. Wipe off the soap and dry the lamp with a paper towel.

Cover all the electrical parts with masking tape or painter's tape. Cover the cord the same way.

Spread out some sheets of old newspaper in your yard and center the lamp on the paper. Sand the ceramic on the lamp with fine-grit sandpaper to roughen it up. Wipe the lamp with a damp paper towel to remove all the dust and allow it to dry.

Spray the ceramic part of the lamp with a light coat of primer. Use short bursts of spray and keep the can moving around the lamp while you spray. This will give you an even coating with no drips. Allow the primer to dry, which should take about 10 minutes.

Spray the lamp with a thin coating of your chosen paint color. The gray primer may show through this initial layer but it won't show later. Allow the paint to dry for 10 minutes, then add another thin layer of paint. Continue adding coats of paint until you reach the desired color and finish.

Spray the lamp with a clear sealer like polyurethane. Allow the sealer to dry, then add another coat.

Place the lamp in an out-of-the-way spot overnight to allow the coatings to dry and set completely. Replace the lamp shade or purchase a new one to complete your new lamp look.