Easily Update Old Door Knobs
As part of my Budget Friendly Hallway Refresh I wanted to do something with the brass door knobs on all the doors in the hallway. Since the word budget friendly was part of this project I decided to spray paint the brass door knobs instead of buying them.
Here is what the door knobs looked like before.
This is an easy update until I decide if or when I want to buy new door knobs.
Spray paint really can do amazing things and in a quick and cheap way. It can be a temporary or permanent fix depending on the project and a can of spray paint costs around $4.
First I removed the door knobs using a screwdriver. I kept the door knob sets together. Then I sanded the knobs with 400 grit sandpaper. This is to lightly rough up the surface so the spray paint adheres better to the door knobs. Wipe to clean the door knobs after sanding. You can use a degreaser to clean the knobs if needed.
I punched holes in a piece of cardboard to set the knobs up to easily spray paint them. I did this with both knobs and the screws. Then I spray painted several light quick even coats allowing them to dry between coats.
I applied a few coats of the clear sealer within one hour per instructions. Then I allowed this to dry for 24-48 hours. I reattached the knobs. In order to protect the knobs from the paint rubbing off I applied painters tape around it to protect it from the screwdriver.
Even if it's temporary they were an easy and cheap improvement and they look much better in the hallway.
This seems so simple, but it makes a big difference. Even if you don't like black you can choose any color you would like to do an easy update on the doors in your house.
Speaking of doors my Bifold Barn Door is really popular and it updates a bifold door for about $15.
Looking for other easy spray paint projects? Check out my Galvanized Vase made from a Cracker Box.
Thanks for checking out this post.
Happy DIYing,
Tiffany
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Amber on May 23, 2019
Absolutely not, spray painting any frequently used and frequently cleaned hardware ends up looking cheap and tacky and comes off in places from frequent cleaning, not a good long term solution, and actually decreases the value of your home like many things once you put paint on them , like cabinets and antique dressers. Best to leave them in original state , unless it's a piece you intend to keep for yourself forever .
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Tiffany from Dream Design DIY on May 23, 2019
Hi Amber,
Yes I think this is definitely a short term fix.
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Melissa Cipriani Eddington on Jul 10, 2020
No questions but here are my newly painted knobs.
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Tiffany from Dream Design DIY on Jul 13, 2020
Awesome Melissa!
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Frequently asked questions
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What about the hinges on the doors Are they not noticed? Mine are bright. Love this idea ! Guess I'd spray hinges too.
I spray painted all of ours a few years ago and now the paint is all wearing off. What did I do wrong?
I did this project but for my bathroom caninet knobs & hinges but 7 mo. Later they r all sticky what happened