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How To Paint Cabinet Hardware For An Updated Look

Are you looking for a simple way to make your cabinet doors look brand new? Sometimes you can get a modern feel by simply adding fresh paint to the original hardware. Learn everything you need to know about spray painting your cabinet hardware. This DIY painting idea can be done for under $10 and in just a few minutes!

image of before painted hardware on cabinets with arrow pointing to after laundry room cabinets with black painted hardware.

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We love loving new trendy matte black cabinet hardware but didn’t want to buy completely new. Our goal was to get the old cabinet handles to match the bracketed DIY laundry room shelves. Spray painting the hardware was the perfect and cheapest solution.

Does spray painting cabinet hardware last?

Proper cleaning and priming of your old cabinet hardware are important steps. Those little things before painting gain you much time before having to purchase new cabinet pulls or door handles.

We have items in our home that have been spray painted and have lasted a long time. This is a great solution if you are looking for an easy way to make bathroom or kitchen cabinets look modern while staying on a budget. You don’t always have to paint the cabinets for a fresh feel.

Cons

Just note that nothing is going to be as durable as a factory finish on new hardware. It also will depend on how much your pulls, door knobs, and handles are touched. For example, kitchen cabinet hardware is going to get the most wear compared to furniture hardware.

What kind of paint do you use on the hardware?

A quality spray paint and a bonding primer or automotive fillable primer will help your painted hardware last. We also used automotive primer to spray paint a faucet and it still looks good! After you use primer, Look for spray paint that is oil-based or enamel (which is still probably oil-based).

hand holding spray paint can with hardware in the background.

You May Be Able To Skip The Primer

If you are not going to be touching the hardware too much you may get away with just using this spray paint with primer.

This chalk-painted dresser below has spray-painted drawer pulls that still look great and we didn’t prime them. However, we only open these drawers a few times a week and they get less than normal use. 

purple painted dresser with spray painted handles.
The handles were spray-painted white over 7 years ago without primer before.

Our Favorite Spray Paint Colors For Hardware

Rust-Oleum Metallic Paint and Primer-In-One come in many different paint color options and is probably our favorite spray paint. From black farmhouse style to rose gold there is a color for you. Here are our favorite metallic finishes to fit any home decor style.

laundry room shelves and cabinets with black hardware.

Krylon also makes its own all-in-one primer that you could use to spray paint as well. We just tend to normally use the Rustoleum brand.

Paint Station Set-Up Idea

Use A Cardboard Box

Sometimes when we have spray-painted items, they get a little stuck on the extra residue. You can make a screw hole in a piece of cardboard and put it through it to help elevate your hardware.

cabinet hardware elevated off cardboard before spray painting.

If doing old hinges, you can even stick the screws in cardboard so they are easier to spray the same color. We did that with the hinges when we painted our bathroom vanity.

bronze hinges being spray painted with satin nickel spray paint.

Use Craft Sticks

We have also seen where you can put craft sticks into foam or cardboard and use that to elevate your cabinet handles to help get full coverage. This will ensure that you are able to get at them from multiple angles.

Recommended Supplies

collage of supplies used to spray paint hardware.

How To Spray Paint Cabinet Hardware

Step 1: Remove Hardware Completely

The first thing is to remove the hardware from your cabinets. If you are only spraying handles or knobs, you can leave the screws in the cabinets so you don’t misplace them. If spraying hinges, then you need to take the screws out to spray them.

Step 2: Clean The Hardware

The best way to clean it is with Dawn dish soap and clean water. You can also use a green Scothbrite pad to roughen the surface so the primer will adhere better.

hand using Scothbrite pad to clean silver cabinet hardware.

Step 3: Prep The Surface For Paint

Wipe down with a deglosser. No matter what we are painting we always prep the surface by putting Krud Kutter on it. Let the hardware fully dry.

silver hardware handles being wiped down with yellow rag.

Step 4: Set Up a Spray Painting Station

You can spray them in a large cardboard box. Just make sure you are able to fully spray all surfaces of the hardware. 

Step 5: Use Bonding Primer

Cover all surfaces of your hardware with the spray bonding primer. Let dry. Put a fresh piece of cardboard down before adding color.

Step 6: Use A Light Coat Of Spray Paint

Use a light fresh coat of paint. The first coat will not completely cover the handles.

first layer of black spray paint on cabinet hardware.

Step 7: Allow Proper Dry Time

Make sure you have the right amount of dry time. We like to wait the recommended 30 minutes between coats.

Step 8: Add Another Coat

Repeat for 3 coats making sure you fully are covering the hardware. You may get away with only doing two coats, but three should make your painted handles last longer.

black spray paint on 4 kitchen cabinet handles on box.

Step 9: Let Paint Cure

Let your handles and hardware cure as long as possible. We like to let them dry overnight before putting them back on the cabinets.

How To Get A Smooth Finish When Spray Painting

  • Use thin coats of spray paint.
  • Be patient in between coats.
  • Make sure your handles and cabinet knobs are completely dust-free before spraying.
  • Hold the spray nozzle at different angles to help fully paint the hardware.
  • Most likely at least 3 coats of spray paint will be needed.
  • Don’t try to spray paint on a really humid or windy day.
  • Use large sweeping motions when spraying. It is best if you start spraying right before the item and stop past your item. This will stop large droplets from landing on your hardware.
close up of 2 cabinet handles sprayed paint with Satin black paint.

How-To FAQs

Do you need to use a primer when spraying cabinet hardware?

If you want your cabinet hardware to last, then we do recommend using a light coat of spray bonding primer. Proper cleaning and prep are equally important before painting a piece of hardware. If these handles don’t get touched that often, then using spray paint with primer will probably be fine.

What does hammered spray paint finish mean?

Hammered spray paint will give you a textured look. This is perfect if you have imperfections on your hardware and want to hide them. 

What is the best primer for cabinet hardware?

A bonding primer will do the trick and is a good idea. Not only will this stick better than just spray paint it also will help create a level and rust-free surface. Just make sure you allow the primer to dry fully for at least 30 minutes before applying your hardware color.

Can you spray old cabinet hinges?

Yes, you can use a similar painting technique to spray your hinges. You may also need to spray the screws if they are external hinges.

Follow us on Pinterest, Youtube or Facebook for more DIY inspiration!

Related Cabinet Ideas

Painting cabinet hardware is such a great and inexpensive way to get the look you want in your home!

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How To Paint Cabinet Hardware

Easily update your cabinets by painting the hardware with spray paint. Full our tutorial to complete this easy DIY painting project.
Print Tutorial
handles being sprayed with black spray paint.
Prep:10 minutes
Active Time:20 minutes
Additional Time:2 days
Total Time:2 days 30 minutes

Equipment

  • Cardboard boxes or Cardboard
  • Screwdriver
  • Green Scotchbrite Pad

Instructions

  • Remove hardware. If you are only spraying handles or knobs, you can leave the screws in the cabinets so that you don’t misplace them. If spraying hinges, then you need to take the screws out to spray them.
  • Clean hardware. Use a green Scotchbrite and dish soap and water.
  • Wipe down with a deglosser. Let handles fully dry.
  • Set up a spray painting station. Just make sure you are able to fully spray all surfaces of the hardware. 
  • Cover all surfaces of your hardware with a spray bonding primer. Let dry. Put a fresh piece of cardboard down before adding color.
  • Use spray paint in large sweeping motions. Let first coat fully dry.
  • Repeat for 3 coats making sure you fully are covering the hardware.
  • Let your handles and hardware cure as long as possible. We like to let them dry overnight before putting them back on the cabinets.

Notes

  • Use thin coats of spray paint.
  • Work in a well-ventilated area.
  • Be patient in between coats.
  • Make sure your handles and cabinet knobs are completely dust-free before spraying.
  • Hold the spray nozzle at different angles to help fully paint the hardware.
  • Most likely at least 3 coats of spray paint will be needed.
  • Don’t try to spray paint on a really humid or windy day.
  • Use large sweeping motions when spraying. It is best if you start spraying right before the item and stop past your item. This will stop large droplets from landing on your hardware.
Author: Erin Nutter
Cost: under $10

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