Has anyone ever painted a curtain pole? An option?

[justanotherquestion]

I have a huge bay window in my Victorian house and consequently the previous occupiers put in a very heavy brass pole into the bay. From looking at the receipts they left, I believe it cost over £500 10 years ago! I am now trying to 'de-brass' the house and thought it may be possible to paint it. Obviously I would need to varnish it well too to protect it. But would that work, or do I need to start afresh?

Anyone ever done anything similar?

if it is brass, or more likely plated steel due to cost, the surface will be very smooth and not take paint well. The rings will tend to scratch the paint off. I wouldn't.

If you do decide to paint it, take it off the wall to do a decent job. Use 600 grade wet-and-dry paper with water, as used when painting cars, and an oil-based primer and gloss. A spray primer and enamel might be harder wearing but you will have to do it outside on a calm dry day as the overspray will mark whatever it touches.

Paint all the brackets, screw-heads and rings to match.

Maybe you could sell it on Ebay and buy a new one?

Yes, I'd just sell it. Ikea do curtain poles for about £10.

Thanks piglet John that is just the info I wanted.

Yep did think of selling it but I would have thought it unlikely someone would have just the same measurements into a bay. It goes round IYSWIM. It is also incredibly solid and I know I could get an ordinary one fairly cheaply but not sure about poles that go round bays - they look a lot more expensive and I cannot see DH's DIY skills coping with putting up a new one but may cope with putting up one that was already there prior to painting.

or you could just leave it until tastes change, and hide it with a pelmet