You can spray paint the door knobs in your house to give them a fresh look without spending a ton of money to replace them. After many years of usage door handles can look rather grimy and not pleasant to the eye. Why buy new door knobs when you can just use existing ones. All you need is a screwdriver, some sand paper and a can of paint. Check out how easy it is to do with this DIY tutorial.
When we moved into our home over 10 years ago one of the first things I knew I wanted to change was the door knobs. All the doors in the house were hollow core fake oak and the knobs were scratched shiny golden brass. All very eighties style. After counting how many door knobs we actually had in our home and checking the prices for new ones I quickly decided that this project was not going to be at the top of my list once I calculated the cost.
Spray painting door knobs is a cheap way to update your home on a budget (see also 'How To Clean Spray Paint Off Of Concrete'). It can be labor intensive depending on how many knobs you have to do but it's one of those minor details that really make a difference.
Supplies needed to spray paint door knobs:
- 120 grit sandpaper
- Rubbing alcohol
- Metal spray paint primer- I like this one
- Spray paint for metal
- Clear acrylic spray top coat
- Screwdriver
- Cardboard box
Step by Step instruction on how to spray paint door knobs
Step 1: Remove Door Knobs
Remove the door knobs from the door with a screwdriver.
Step 2: Sand the Door Knobs
Sand them with 120 grit sandpaper until any shine is gone from the surface. This creates a rougher surface for the paint to stick better and longer.
Step 3: Clean the Door Knobs
Wipe the knobs down with the alcohol to remove the dust and any oils or dirt.
Step 4: Prepare the Work Area
Take a cardboard box and place it upside down. Poke holes in it and insert the base of the knobs so that it is sitting on the surface of the box horizontally just like it is when it is on the door.
Step 5: Apply Primer
Spray the knobs with metal spray paint primer. Use a thin coat. Let dry outdoors out of direct sunlight and on a day when it is obviously not raining.
Step 6: Apply Spray Paint
Once the primer is dry, spray it with two coats of metal spray paint. Let dry between coats.
Step 7: Apply Clear Sealer
Once the second coat is dry you can spray with a coat of clear acrylic sealer. Let dry for at least 24 hours and re-attach the knobs to the doors.
Reinstalling the Door Knobs
You need to ensure that the door knobs are totally dry, carefully screw them back using a screwdriver. I would not recommend using a drill because you can easily miss the screw and scratch the newly painted door knob. At Least screwdriver is small and you can easily control it.
Tips & troubleshooting Common Issues
- Sanding- be careful not to remove the hardware's finish; sand lightly just to roughen the surface.
- When letting the knobs dry outdoors, be careful if it's windy or there's dust. It might settle on the wet paint.
- You can also use steel wool to sand the knobs if you don't have sandpaper.
- When you spray, try to spray in sweeping motion. This is going to help avoid having too much buildup or get too close to one area it’ll cause drips.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, if you do it right. If you do the prep work and make sure the knobs are clean and sanded and the right type of paint is used, the paint will last. If you use a clear coat on top then it will last even longer.
Yes, it works just the same as round door knobs. If you prepare the surface well, yes it will stick. Make sure you sand the metal well with 120 grit sandpaper and wipe the surface clean with paint thinner or denatured alcohol before painting.
Technically yes but I don't recommend it. It's worth it to take the time and unscrew the knob from the door. You will be able to prep the knob and clean it properly. You will also be able to get better coverage with the paint if it not attached to the wall. If you keep the knob on the door you will have to cover up the rest of the door and wall with plastic to catch the overspray.
These are the most popular colors for door knobs and hardware this year in receding order:
Oil rubbed bronze
Black
Brushed gold brass
Brushed nickel
Silver
Gold
How to Spray Paint Door Knobs
Learn how to spray paint a door knob so that it will last with out chipping or scratching.
Materials
- Door knobs
- Metal spray paint
- Metal spray paint primer
- Acrylic spray paint clear top coat
- 120 grit sandpaper
- Rubbing alcohol
Tools
- Screw driver
- Cardboard box
Instructions
- Remove the knobs from the door using the screw driver.
- Sand the knobs to remove any shiny finish.
- Wipe them down with rubbing alcohol to remove and dust, dirt or oils.
- Use an upside down card board box to balance the knobs by poking holes in it and inserting the base of the knob to that it sits upright.
- Spray knobs with a coat of primer. Let dry.
- Spray with two coats of paint for metal. Let dry between coats. Let dry.
- Spray with one coat of clear acrylic sealer.
- Let dry for 24 hours.
- Reattach the knobs to the doors.
Notes
Paint in several thin coats instead of one thick one.
More home makeover posts you may like:
Hi I’m Adrienne Carrie Hubbard. I believe a rich life comes not from the things you have, but the things you do; the experiences you create and the people you meet along the way. Thanks for hanging out!
Maynard Pearson says
I am always happy seeing people enjoying painting. It is such a useful skill to know and you can make such nice little projects like this one.
Cristina Mcvay says
Yes, I will definitely try to Spray Paint Door Knobs! Thanks for sharing this great idea.