How to Refinish Kitchen Cabinet Hardware

Refinish your old cabinet hardware and make it look like new.

Many people update their kitchens by refinishing their cabinets. If you want to refinish your kitchen cabinets, you must also consider the cabinet hardware. Often, dated hardware will look out of place once it is reattached to the modernized cabinets. Hardware also takes a beating from thousands of hands wearing down the finish and transferring deteriorating grease. Instead of purchasing brand new hardware for your newly refinished cabinetry, refinish the old hardware.

Things You'll Need

• Screw driver
• Dish soap
• Scrub brush
• Face mask
• Protective eyewear
• Sandpaper (optional)
• Towel
• Drop cloth
• Oil-based primer
• Small paintbrush
• Spray paint (for metal)

Instructions

1. Remove the screws from the back and front of the hardware with a screw driver. Remove the hardware from the cabinet.

2. Mix together a solution of dish soap and water. Dip the scrub brush in the soapy water and scrub the hardware to remove grease and other buildup. If there is rust on the hardware, lightly sand it with heavy-grit sandpaper until it is removed. Rinse the hardware in water and dry it thoroughly.

3. Paint the hardware with a layer of oil-based rust-resistant primer, ensuring that all nooks and crannies are covered. Let the primer dry.

4. Hold the spray paint can about 12 up inches from the hardware and off to the side. With one slow sweep, spray the paint over the hardware. Do this until the entire piece of hardware is covered in one coat of paint.

5. Repeat Step 4 until the each piece of hardware is covered with at least three coats of paint. Let the spray paint dry, then reattach the hardware to your cabinetry.

Tips & Warnings

• Always wear a face mask and protective eyewear when sanding.

References

• TrueValue: Recycle Furniture with Paint