Yes! You Can Spray Paint Cabinet Hardware

Looking for a easy and affordable makeover for your cabinet and furniture hardware? Yes, you can spray paint hardware a whole new color!

Are you surprised to hear you can spray paint hardware? Yes, you can!

I’ve changed the metallic on my bedroom nightstand hardware and it’s worn beautifully.

If you want to save and not buy new hardware, a temporary fix is to spray paint it a new color.

How Long Will Spray Painted Hardware Last

Let’s be clear that the spray paint finish is a short term, but not a long term solution.

Nothing will be more durable than the factory finish on cabinet and furniture hardware.

The spray painted finish, on a properly prepared piece of hardware, will remain in place for quite a while.

On frequently used knobs and pulls in a kitchen or bath where water is involved, you can expect those to wear faster.

If you really need to save money and not replace your hardware, spray painting is a good option, but not FOREVER.

I’ll teach you the best way to prep and paint, so it lasts as long as possible!

Contains hand selected products, with affiliate marketing links where I may make a small commission if a purchase is made. {full disclosure here}

Best Metallic Spray Paint Colors for Cabinet Hardware

Let’s look at some of the metallic finishes available to try!

My favorite brand for spray painting hardware is the Rust-Oleum Universal Metallic Finish.

Just recently, I made over the hardware on my nightstands and wanted to match the new canopy bed.

The best match was Rust-Oleum Forged Hammered Burnished Amber .

I’ve been living with the spray painted hardware for 6 months, with no issues or areas chipping or rubbing off.

Plus love the look and how it pulled the same finish as the bed into the rest of the room. 

For more information, read the full tutorial: French Blue Paint Nightstand Makeover

Feeling inspired to try and spray paint your hardware too?

Now let’s look at all of the beautiful spray paint color options!

You can shift from silver to gold, gold to bronze, copper to silver, sliver to black the list goes on.

IT’S OK TO MIX METALLIC FINISHES IN ONE ROOM!

For instance, I have gold finished picture frames in my kitchen and my cabinet hardware is satin nickel.

It’s really up to the design look you have in mind and the other metallic finishes in the room.

Metallic Spray Paint Colors

Here are some of my favorite metallic spray paint options to explore for your next hardware makeover.

Before you tackle a WHOLE kitchen, buy just one can of a couple of colors to test on a piece of foam core board first!

DARK STEEL | CARBON MIST | SATIN NICKEL | SATIN BRONZE | PURE GOLD | CHAMPAGNE MIST | RUSTIC MIST | COPPER ROSE | AGED COPPER | HAMMERED BURNISHED AMBER | OIL RUBBED BRONZE | METALLIC RUST

NOTE: THE HAMMERED METALLIC FINISHES WILL PROVIDE A TEXTURE AS SHOWN BELOW.

If you want a smooth finish, avoid the colors that say “hammered”. 

You are going to be surprised at how easy this project is and how quickly you can transform your hardware with some primer and spray paint!

To help document the how-to process, I sprayed some hardware I had around the house and it’s amazing how good it looks.

Not only does the hardware look good, but feels good too.

Here is your quick and affordable fix! 

Showing you the hardware in natural daylight because sometimes video is just better at showing the details.

Pin It for Later!

How-to Spray Paint Hardware

First and foremost, if the finish you are trying to cover is peeling, flaking or uneven I would say it’s time to buy new hardware.

Spray paint is ideal for a quick color change, but not to repair a damaged finish on a piece of hardware. 

If you are in the market for new hardware I have a great post explaining how to measure for cabinets and drawers, plus my favorite designs too!

Supplies:

1. Dawn dish detergent or one that is considered a degreaser
2. Rustoleum Spray Bonding Primer
3. Metallic Colored Spray Paint 
4. Cardboard

STEP 1: Clean the Hardware

Clean the hardware you are going to paint in warm water using a liquid dishwashing detergent that is also a degreaser.

Dawn is my favorite – have you seen it used in oil spills to clean animals 🙂

Rub down with a soft sponge to remove all residue.

Dry thoroughly, before priming.

STEP 2: Spray Bonding Primer

This is for instructional purposes, so I am only showing one piece of hardware.

You can spray multiple pieces together, but make sure they are far enough apart so you can spray the ends well.

Using the spray BONDING PRIMER, holding the can 8 inches from the hardware, lightly spray one coat to cover all surfaces of the hardware.

Bend down and move around the entire piece, so you coat all surfaces. 

Let dry 30 minutes to 1 hour depending on humidity in the air.

Once dry, flip over and make sure the underside is coated.

If you need to touch up, use a fresh piece of cardboard, so the hardware doesn’t stick to the primer residue.

Follow the same process, as above.

STEP 3: Spray Metallic Finish

NOTE: the spray nozzle is different that a regular can of spray paint.

Test on the cardboard before you start spraying. 

Holding the can 8 inches from the hardware, apply one light coat of the spray paint color of your choice to cover all surfaces of the hardware.

Bend down and move around the entire piece, so you coat all surfaces. 

Allow to dry 1 hour and apply 2nd light coat.

It’s better to apply 3 light coats for full coverage than over apply and get drips!

Flip over and make sure the underside is coated.

If you need to touch up, use a fresh piece of cardboard, so the hardware doesn’t stick to the paint residue.

HAVE DRIPS? Lightly sand those areas, clean, re-apply primer and paint as instructed above.

STEP 4: Let the Hardware Dry

Let the hardware dry several days to a week before installing and using. 

This will ensure the coating is fully cured and will last as long as possible.

How amazing is spray paint that it can transform anything!

I’m a spray paint fan and have some other ideas for you:

• Easily Update Picture Frames with Spray Paint!
• Spray Paint Curtain Rods for a Whole New Look

Have you never heard of bonding primer?

It’s a paint game changing product and I go into detail in this post: When Bonding Primer is a Must Before Painting