From Brassy to Sassy - Spray Painting Door Knobs

When we first became homeowners in 2006, we moved into a brand new home.  We decided against getting satin nickel door knobs & hinges at that time because they were going to charge us too much {like $1000+}. The FIRST thing I did, however, on moving day was replace all the door handles & hinges with egg shaped satin nickel knobs.  That's when we were kid-less and could spend money on such frivolous things.  When we moved, I was sad to let me cool door knobs go.

We've been in this house for almost two years and I've had to look at the ugly, worn & fading brass door handles, and we simply don't have money to replace them.  So...what's a DIY with style gal to do?  What about SPRAY PAINT?!

I searched online and found that this has been done before {Infarrantly Creative gives an amazing tutorial so I won't repeat it here.}.  So this past weekend, I couldn't take staring at the brass any longer and went to Home Depot to buy spray paint.

I wanted my knobs in a flat black for a modern "Up-Country" look, so I chose RustOleum's Painter's Touch in Flat Black.

So I followed the tutorial on Infarrantly Creative, and here's what I came up with.

From Brassy...

...to Sassy

 I think the key to getting the paint to stick is sanding the heck out of the handles before you apply the paint.  Then I did about 3-5 light applications of the spray paint, including touch ups.

I also realized the strike plates were brassy and scuffed up, so instead of spraypainting those, I decided to hit up Home Depot again and buy new chrome strike plates {$3.49 for two - totally worth buying new!}.

This update is EASY to do and adds tons of style to otherwise ho-hum door knobs.  I think many of us don't like our old door knobs, so why do we live with them?

Many of you are likely to ask me, "Ya, so how long do you think THAT will last?"  My answer is that it's spray paint, so it will likely have to be touched up occasionally and I don't mind that.  Door handles are easy to take off and put on again, and it won't be often. Even if it is, I will always have the satisfaction of knowing I only spent $5 on paint, not $500+ on replacing ALL my door knobs. 

Plus, the brass handles don't hold up very well over time anyway - they discolour and fade. And they're ugly. I'll take spray painted door knobs any day over the brass!