Furniture, Wood and Cabinetry Finishing - Help Metal bed

Have a Black metal bed we want to paint to make it have a old bronze antigue look about it. Was wondering if I could get any suggestions on how I should go about doing this. Should I just paint right over the paint that is currently there, and if so.....what colors should I use to acheive the disired look. I am assuming that I will have to use a couple of different colors of paint to get it to look antigue and bronze looking.

Matt

Its best to start with a fresh surface but I have painted over items before with good results. As for the bronze look there are products that will do this for you. I have found them at craft stores and at paint centers like Home Depot. Its a two part system and they have two types of bronzing. I did a verde finish on my mailbox with an antique bronze base it matches my lamps as if I had bought them together. Good luck, Gini

Matt has the right idea. If you don't strip or sandblast the bed back to bare metal, you'll at least need to sand it thoroughly. Many home centers and most craft shops will have what you need for the look you want.