Let's See Your Old Ceiling Fan Updates/Refurbs

[Speed4Life]

My house was built in 1994 and The fan in my living room has probably been been there since new or almost as long. As I update other features of my home, (lighting, floors, counters, furniture etc. it just looks more out of place and dated. I don't want to replace it though because it blows more air than any fan I've ever seen and most of the newer ones cannot compete with it. It spins dang fast on high speed and literally freezes out anyone who sits under it long enough. It's just a plain white 4 blade fan with white blades, brass/gold hardware, and no light kit, but one can be added. It makes zero noise and performs flawlessly. If you've updated an older fan let's see some pics. I'm looking for some good ideas to get me headed in the right direction.

 

[kbs2244]

It sounds you are into looks vs. function.
If so, paint it.
However you like.
Many have been.

But remember it has to be balanced.

 

[Speed4Life]

Yes, at present I'm going for looks since function is flawless. I know it can be painted just looking for cool/unique ideas for colors, designs etc. Guess not many people on here have done it. Oh well.

 

[TheBadDog]

I'm in a similar situation. Current house is a fixer-upper (anyone seen the "Money Pit"?), and one of the fallen blocks of the latest domino series is a complete living room gut and rebuild. One of the few points I want to carry forward is the fan. It's an old school Hunter made before they sold out like everyone else and imported cheap **** (that everyone seems to want). It must have been made at least 30 years ago, maybe more. Does Hunter even make a decent fan at any price anymore? Anyway, this fan has a large motor assembly and weighs twice what a new consumer grade fan weights, completely silent, and perfect in every way but one. It's polished brass, a finish I've never liked, and the wife along with my interior designed daughter in law (who's thankfully helping with the remodel - more like rebuild) hates, so I'm told "it has to go!"

I don't really want a paint finish, though I may go the automotive spray paint route. I'm thinking it would be really nice if I could just disassemble it to separate the brass parts, and then do some sort of chemical finish. Something like gun bluing would be perfect. Or maybe if I could get it to react in a controlled way to produce a finish like weathered brass. That with some re-stained darker wood blades would be pretty nice I think.

 

[Speed4Life]

I think that would be cool. Not sure who the member is on here but he's posted recently on a complete tear down of an old hunter like you are talking about. I believe he separated motor from casing. Do a search for Hunter ceiling fan and see if you find his posts.