Paint/refinishing question

[mattl]

Anyone got any experience with decorative accent painting?  I have a lot of wrought iron railing in my foyer, lots of curly and twisted rods.I can easily paint that, and have a few times over the years.  What I want to do is create a brass look on the top handrail.Right now it's painted the same as the body of the rail but with the color I'm planing I think Brass would be  a great accent.
 
Any special paint out there that looks more like brass than another.  I see a lot of Brass metal look spray paint, but that could be problematic in the house and with the large amount of hand rail I have to do.
 
Ideally I'd like to cap it with wood, but that is not going to happen.

 

[yogitunes]

that would be a cool look once your done...please post pics....

you can find shiny brass paint....I found the trick with most, as you are painting over black, is to use primer first, white to light gray will work best, you dont want the background to hinder the color and reflection you want....

you could also paint it in a flat gold paint, and then brass over top.....sprays are going to give the best results versus brush method....

same goes for if your painting a wall red, use a gray primer, as a white one for a base would cause the red to show as pink when dry....

keep us posted

 

[sudsmaster]

Or, you could hire a metal shop to create a top rail out of real brass.

 

[mattl]

I'd love to do a brass cap or as I mentioned wood, but the main rail totals 23' and 2 side rails add another 11'. The main rail goes around 3 sides of the stairs and balcony with a couple of drops and a volute. Paint is my only option cost wise.

Decades ago when "antiquing" was in style we had a professional painter do it, but over many years the clear top coat has yellowed a fair amount. I'm planning on dark taupe, with the brass paint on top. Might be able to notch a couple of sheets of cardboard and get a helper to hold while I spray, but would prefer to brush on a finish.

Anyone have a favorite brass/gold paint they have used and recommend?