How to Upgrade Brass Doorknobs with Spray Paint

Spread the love

If you want to give your home a fresh, modern look, spray painting your old brass door handles to sleek matte black is simple and inexpensive.

With just a can of spray paint and a few easy steps, you can transform your old brass doorknobs into new hardware that will elevate the look of your doors. And the best part? No primer is necessary! In this post, I’ll show you the painting process to remove the shiny brass and give your home a new look with little effort.

Can I spray paint door knobs?

Yes, you can spray paint door knobs. You may be wondering if spray painting door knobs is a good idea, but trust me, this is an inexpensive way to transform your home’s look completely.

And if you’ve read about any of my other DIY projects, you know I have a creative way of doing them the laziest way possible. Last year when I painted my kitchen cabinets, I didn’t even tape off anything before using the spray gun to paint them. (FYI, the paint wipes right up with a wet rag.)

This post probably contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Read the full disclosure here.

If this is your first time to paint doorknobs, let me go ahead and address some concerns you may have:

Time it takes to paint doorknobs:

This DIY project doesn’t take a long time at all! You could literally prep and paint all of your interior doors in an hour, for sure. The only thing that takes long is the dry time, but in a weekend, you would be completely finished. I went with the easy way for this home transformation.

Painted door knobs without primer?

Yep, you read that right- you do not need a coat of primer. I’ve heard that people swear by using an automotive primer first, but with the steps I used, I found it unnecessary. Oh, and you don’t need a top coat or clear coat, either.

Did I paint the knobs on the exterior doors? Garage door? What about the latch strike plates?

On our laundry room and bathroom door we have those fake handles that don’t turn, so I painted those and all our closet doors. I didn’t paint any door with a keyhole or lock, so I didn’t paint the front door handle. If a key rammed into it, the paint would eventually wear down, so installing new doorknobs was worth the additional cost. I didn’t paint any bedroom doors, latch strike plates or door hinges either. So before heading to Home Depot to get spray paint, you might wanna consider getting a new door handle or two from the hardware store.

Do painted doorknobs last?

I painted mine 3 months ago and they still look good as new!

How to spray paint brass door handles:

Here’s how to use the spray paint method to upgrade your interior brass door knobs and brass door handles from brass to matte black, along with some of my best tips to make them last a lifetime:

Step 1: Sand the doorknobs. (maybe the most important step)

This part is waaay easier if you sand the door knobs while they are still mounted on the door. To ensure that the spray paint will adhere properly, you’ll need to sand the surface of the doorknobs lightly. Fine-grit sandpaper (around 220-grit) works best to create a slightly rough texture that will help the spray paint stick. Be sure to sand gently, as applying too much pressure could damage the surface of the doorknob.

Step 2: Clean the brass doorknobs.

After sanding and removing the old door hardware, use a rag to clean the doorknobs thoroughly. This will ensure that the spray paint adheres properly and creates a smooth finish. I used Dawn, then wiped them again with clean water to remove any residue.

Step 3: Remove the old doorknobs Before spray painting.

First things first. You’ll need to remove the old brass door knobs and brass door handles. This is typically done by removing the screws on the faceplate and pulling the knobs apart. If you need help removing your particular type of doorknob, consult the manufacturer’s instructions or do a quick online search.

Step 4: Spray painting doorknobs (and screws):

Now it’s time to apply the spray paint. I used the backyard as my work area, so I didn’t need a drop cloth or anything like that. I think the type of spray paint you choose is super important. I chose a black spray paint designed for metal surfaces with a matte finish, but you could get one but a glossy finish could also be a good option for your paint job. used this specific paint, and in my opinion, it’s the best spray paint for this project.

I’ve found that applying several light coats rather than one heavy coat is better, as this will help prevent drips and create an even finish. Hold the can of spray paint about 6-8 inches away from the doorknob and use sweeping motions to apply thin coats of spray paint. Start at the top of the doorknob and work your way down, covering all sides evenly. Don’t forget to paint your screws! (unless you wanna buy new ones)

Step 5: Let the spray paint dry.

This sounds obvious, but you must give your knobs ample time to dry. Little things like this will make a huge difference in the quality of your paint job. Even when you think they’re dry, let them dry more. This typically takes a few hours, but they also need time to “cure,” so give them hours of drying time. I’d say wait at least 24 hours before reattaching them.

In the meantime, take a rag and wipe off any fingerprints or dust from your doors so they will look fresh and new once you install your painted door handles.

Step 6: Reattach the doorknobs.

Finally, reattach the doorknobs to your doors using the screws that came with them. Be sure to tighten the screws securely to ensure the doorknob is attached correctly.

And that’s it! With just a can of spray paint and a few simple steps, you can transform your old brass door handles and interior door knobs into sleek, modern matte black doorknobs that will give your home an updated look.

Upgrading to new door knobs is a simple way to make your entire house look fresh and modern. Matte black door knobs are a popular choice, but you can use this spray paint method to upgrade your old door handles to any color your little heart desires.

The good news is that you can completely transform the look of your home without a lot of time, and spray painting your doorknobs is a great way to do that.

How to Upgrade Brass Doorknobs with Spray Paint