Painting Door Knobs Like a Pro - 7 Essential Tips

Let’s paint your old door knobs! I’m sharing 7 tips that will help provide a long lasting finish. The key to spray painting a door knob is good preparation and using the right paint for metal. It's a great way to update your home on a budget and keep your door knobs that still work great and just needs a color update!

The key here is—don't get annoyed with me—PREP WORK. It’s crucial; skimping on it won't serve you well in the long run. If you're investing time into this project, let’s do it right and produce quality results. I’ve already painted the door knob leading to our basement kitchen door, and it’s held up beautifully for over 10 weeks. It's perfect for medium usage.

A quick note: Will this method hold up for a front or back door knob used multiple times daily? I’m not entirely sure. It’s best for medium usage. We use this door a few times a day in an adult-only household—no greasy kid hands here.

UPDATE: The door knob looks great after 10 weeks. We use the door multiple times every day.

7 essential tips for painting interior door knobs so they last for years!

Supplies

Sandpaper assorted pack: https://amzn.to/4aGCak5

Krud Kutter: https://amzn.to/459zuu4

Spray primer for clean metal: https://amzn.to/4dHFPzT

Spray paint for auto: https://tinyurl.com/7xwnwuvy

Tack cloth: https://amzn.to/48f0jPm

Process

1. Prep:

   • Clean the door knob with Krud Kutter and rinse with water. Don’t skip the water rinse; it ensures any remaining Krud Kutter doesn't interfere with the paint.

2. Sand:

   • Use 220 grit sandpaper to scuff up the metal surface so the primer adheres better. Wipe off with a tack cloth or damp microfiber cloth.

3. Tape:

   • Tape off necessary areas. Ensure you tape the correct sections the first time! I had to reattach the door knob three times because I missed painting some visible areas.

4. Prime:

   • Apply a clean metal primer. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions—don’t skimp here. The automotive paint suggests recoating anytime, but the primer has specific instructions.

5. Paint:

   • Use Rustoleum. This type is designed for cars, so it should be quite durable. Follow the manufacturer directions carefully.

Check out the quick video for additional details and tips. If you’d like to see more DIYs, furniture flipping, and home renovations, check out my YouTube channel or our blog. Happy painting!