Refinish door handle. How??

Marietta
by Marietta
Is there a way to refinish this door knob. It's forty years old. Would like to keep it but do not like spots
  18 answers
  • Amber Amber on Nov 25, 2013
    I think there is a product called rub and buff for metallics. If you want to go dark, rustoleum oil rubbed bronze spray paint is nice
    • D Lawless Hardware D Lawless Hardware on Dec 02, 2013
      @Amber Yes, great idea. Rub and Buff works great. I'd imagine there would be a reasonably good looking antique finish after that. But then you could paint it whatever after. Be sure and get a paint made for heavy use though and a color that is resistant to wear.
  • Melinda Melinda on Nov 25, 2013
    Tape it off and spray paint it....simple
  • Sherrie Sherrie on Nov 26, 2013
    Amber idea is right on the money! After I used the rub and buff I would go a step further and seal it with a polyurethane spray.
  • Marietta Marietta on Nov 26, 2013
    I wasn't sure the spray paint would be durable. That's why I wanted confirmation. I painted some things and was sorry when it was coming off in a few months and had a bigger problem than when I started.
  • John Reilly John Reilly on Nov 26, 2013
    If you use a polyurethane spray try to find a SPAR varnish, it is for out side weather.
  • Debbie Machmer Debbie Machmer on Nov 26, 2013
    I have been cleaning up all the hardware in my Craftsman home. I boil the hardware in dish detergent and use very fine steel wool to clean it. I work with it while it's still hot, cleans up beautifully. If metal is rusty soak it in kerosene, again, works like a charm...depending on the extent of rust.
  • Jann Jann on Nov 27, 2013
    I agree with the responses already given-spray paint and seal it. Will look brand new!
  • Diana Diana on Nov 27, 2013
    Agree with everyone! Krylon is the spray paint I use and I've never had problems .
  • Susan Cryor Susan Cryor on Nov 27, 2013
    oh, I have the exact door knobs...in new home. Tried many products to get them looking new finally used bar keepers cleanser...they look great....mostly they were filthy, never cared for or even cleaned
  • Susan Cryor Susan Cryor on Nov 27, 2013
    sorry, our new home, not newly built! The house was built in 1975 BTW if there some of the knobs that appear " loose" have hubby take off knobs and give the spring / coil a slight pull to tighten it up again
  • Sandra R Sandra R on Nov 27, 2013
    we just used a dermal tool to sand it down.....went too far though. not easy.
  • Patty A Patty A on Nov 27, 2013
    spray painting would cover it's lovely patina. I read somewhere where you could take off old hardware on dressers, etc and soak in a natural solution of something to restore...it was on this site ...check out dresser refinishes!
  • Gail lichtsinn Gail lichtsinn on Nov 27, 2013
    rub and buff is a wax..Its been around for years..It will actually repel water..If you want to try to seal it you might want to wipe some on paper and try a sealer over that before you spray the knob itself..It might repel some sealers or some sealers might melt it enough to make it sticky...Never tried a sealer on it before..
  • C&K Custom Remodeling C&K Custom Remodeling on Nov 28, 2013
    By the time you consider labor and materials, assuming you value your time, you are better off just replacing a door knob.
  • Jody Jody on Dec 10, 2013
    We are painting updating all our trim and could not buy new hardware to expensive. So I bought Rustolem Satin Nickel and works great. They were all the polished brass and now look brand new and wearing great. Its in a Taller can with a better sprayer. You will know it and for metal.got it at Lowes
  • Carolyn Padolsky Carolyn Padolsky on Feb 01, 2014
    how do I put a price on my time used to refinish an old beautiful doorknob? After all I'm using time I would have used doing nothing. I get paid nothing using time this way so what am I out, @Lloyd?
  • Diana Deiley Diana Deiley on Feb 20, 2016
    Time is priceless. If you enjoy doing renovations it's never a waste of time. I enjoy home renovations myself even if it takes me "forever" no matter what project I'm working on. Reusing old items is a good thing. I like using vintage items. Best of luck.