How to Resurface Cabinet Door Pulls

It's simple to give your cabinet pulls a new look.

Replacing your cabinet door pulls sounds like an easy and inexpensive way to update your furniture or cabinets. Relatively speaking, it is true that door pulls can be replaced with less cost than painting or replacing the cabinetry. Updating your door pulls can add new life to your cabinets. New cabinet hardware can cost anywhere from $1 per item up to $20 or more. When you start adding it all together, the bill can get pretty high. If you like the style of your cabinet pulls but don't love the color, resurface them with some paint.

Things You'll Need

• Screwdriver
• Ammonia-based cleaner
• Toothbrush
• Spray primer
• Spray paint

Instructions

1. Remove the door pulls from every cabinet. Use a screwdriver to unscrew the back of the pull from the doors and drawers.

2. Mix a solution of 1 part ammonia to 1 part water. Drop the hardware into the solution. Scrub each piece of hardware with a toothbrush to remove all the grease from the surface of the metal. Rinse each piece in clean water. Lay the hardware on a towel to dry.

3. Move the cabinet pulls onto a tarp outside. Spray primer and paint will create noxious fumes and should always be used outdoors.

4. Spray the cabinet pulls with spray primer. Choose a primer formulated for metal or other slick surfaces. Spray in a steady back-and-forth motion. Allow the pulls to dry. Flip the pulls over to the other side and spray again, coating the entire set of cabinet pulls with primer.

5. Paint the cabinet pulls with spray paint formulated for use on metal. Spray paint can be purchased to mimic other metals, including pewter, bronze, silver and iron. Spray the paint with a steady back-and-forth motion. Allow the paint to dry. Turn the pulls over and spray the other side. Repeat this process until the cabinet hardware is thoroughly covered.

Tips & Warnings

• Avoid drip marks by using multiple thin coats of paint. If you end up with a drip mark, sand it out in between coats. Allow the paint to dry. Use a piece of fine-grit sandpaper to sand out the drip marks. Cover with an additional light coat of paint.

References

• Rustoleum.com: Paint a Mailbox