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Tuesday, April 27, 2010

doorknob makeover

Simple things can be forgotten when buying a builder home...like the fact that the contractors search high and low for the cheapest of the cheap when it comes to installing light fixtures and doorknobs in our homes. I think the brass doorknob comes in at a whopping $5.49 in most Canadian hardware stores, compared to a decent black knob ringing in around $35.00 and up.

I can't walk by a door in my home without hearing that pshyco music (wweeh wweeh wweeh) as I see my head reflected back at me in the most unusual of bubbly shapes. And even though yesterday I was feeling the onset of a certain cold coming on...those knobs were going to meet their maker! I was in a shopping mood, and yet something must have been drastically wrong with me because after dragging a girlfriend round store after store to find who knows what, I came only with only flat black spray paint and birthday invitations. It was a proud day for Mr. vG. And the doorknob makeover begins...

Meet the enemy...



I put a screw through a piece of plywood to hold up the knobs of this sort, and then sprayed around them. I sprayed a coat of primer and then continued on with two coats of the black Rustoleum Painters' Touch in matte finish.

Mr. vG came home in the middle of my project and was quite impressed with my layout of knobs. But of course, had something to say. He thought that the primer was a good step to ensure a better adhersion of the paint, however, if you want to take it one step further, he suggests sanding lightly with a ultra high grade sanding paper, one that won't leave scratch marks and then priming and painting. Urgh. Well, I quit at my six knobs then...only 32 more to go tomorrow when I pick up some sand paper. So many knobs...

Here's a peek of the before and afters:





Oh and I've not looked around in blogland to see if someone has tried this already, so I don't know the success rate of how well the paint holds up. I will give it a couple of weeks for my three children to abuse them and let you all know. Until then...have yourself a wonderful week!

PS In the pictures, I haven't done the hinges yet...but they will come next let me assure you! My brassy days are numbered! : )






DIY Day @ ASPTL

21 comments:

  1. Oh Stacey it looks SO much better. You must be so happy with how it turned. I never noticed your sidebar photos of your children before, they are so beautiful, did you take them? Have a great day, I'm sending you an email too!
    Janice

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  2. Oh my goodness! Let me know how your knob holds up. My whole house is FILLED with brass fixtures. I bought some spraypaint a long time ago but haven't tried doing that yet. I hope it works -- what a great solution!

    XOO
    Jen

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  3. wow! such a simple change, in theory.... but what a big impact it makes!! you're right, brass hardware IS the enemy ;)

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  4. The knobs look fantastic. I admire your patience, I really don't think I could handle spraying that many! I laughed when I saw your post because we just did a big kitchen reno and the contractor showed up with brass knobs for the new doors. Thankfully he showed them to me before he installed them and I promptly sent him back to the store.

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  5. Oh wow!! You did a great job!! Yeah mine are the builder gold too!! I think I just might have to paint mine! Such a fabulous idea!! A great way to save $$, cause I have priced them and walked away empty handed. LOL

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  6. This is a such a better idea than buying new knobs! I love the black! It looks so much classier! I will feature this tip at somedaycrafts.blogspot.com

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  7. I am planning on doing the same thing when we change the doors out, ours are at least antique brass. I have read of several that have done this, and they did suggest the sanding part, and cleaning prior to painting. I have definitely been looking into this, because the after looks so much better. Jackie

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  8. I did this to my kitchen cabinet pulls and knobs about 2 months ago and so far it is holding up great!

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  9. Those look SO good!! I'd love it if you shared them in my weekly link party going on right now!

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  10. When I moved (2 years ago) I spray painted my outside door handles. I think it turned out really well. I wasn't sure if they would hold up with the weather...the outside one has for sure. The inside door knob is scratched from turning the knob while holding keys in the same hand. Time to to take a visit to the Home Depot...either for more spray paint or new door handles!

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  11. It's amazing what a difference it makes, looks great :)

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  12. Love them black! It's amazing the difference once the brassiness is gone.

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  13. I'm totally going to do this to my house. So much cheaper than buying all new ones! I also love your "Toilet" sign on the door!!!

    Thanks for Hookin' your project up at my weekly Link party!!!

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  14. I featured you at my link party this week. Feel free to grab a featured button!

    http://www.houseofhepworths.com/2010/05/05/lets-hook-up/

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  15. I love the sign on your door & will be searching your blog for those lol. Did you apply a protective coat at the end? I wonder if that would help keep the finish on too.

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  16. Hooray! No more brass!! Never thought of doing this!! Great idea.
    Hugs
    SueAnn

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  17. My mind is racing with all of the things in my house I can do this to...do you think I could paint the brass frame around our glass shower? What about those terrible, hideous light fixtures? You know the ones with the 6 bulbs across? Heck, I'm planning on replacing them anyway, so why not try it first? My husband is totally in for it this weekend. :)

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  18. How are they holding up Stacey?

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  19. Hi Deanna,

    They are holding up amazingly! I tested on a high traffic area and no problems yet! Funny you should ask today b/c I was supposed to finish them off but got a wee bit lazy. It's my project tomorrow morning.

    ~Stacey

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  20. I'd love to see a picture with the hinges done.

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  21. Wonderful and timely. I was just getting ready to do this, and it was great finding your post. THank you!

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