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. All you need is a screw driver, 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. 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

Directions:

Remove the door knobs from the door with a screwdriver.
Sand them with 120 grit sandpaper until any shine is gone from the surface.
Wipe the knobs down with the alcohol to remove the dust and any oils or dirt.
Take a cardboard box and place it upside down. Poke holes in it and insert the base of the knobs so that it knob is sitting on the surface of the box horizontally just like it is when it is on the door.
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.
Once the primer is dry spray it with two coats of metal spray paint. Let dry between coats.
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.

Does spray painting on door knobs last?

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.

Can you spray paint metal door handles?

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.

Can you spray paint door knobs without taking them off the door?

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.

What color door knobs are in style in 2021?

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

Yield: 1 door knob

How to Spray Paint Door Knobs

Learn how to spray paint a door knob so that it will last with out chipping or scratching.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Active Time 3 hours

Additional Time 1 day

Total Time 1 day 3 hours 10 minutes

Difficulty easy

Estimated Cost $20

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.

Yes, You Can Spray Paint Door Knobs!