If you’re looking for an easy and affordable way to update your drawer pulls, then this guide on how to spray paint drawer pulls is for you! With just a few simple steps, you can transform your plain and boring drawer pulls into stylish and unique pieces that will add character to any furniture.

Using spray paint for furniture is an awesome way to get that smooth, professional finish without the fuss of traditional paint and brushes. Plus, with so many colors and finishes to choose from, you can really customize your drawer pulls to fit your style.

spray painting drawer pulls with text overlay

Whether you’re looking to update your old furniture or add a personal touch to new pieces, spray painting furniture is a fantastic way to give your home decor a fresh look. And when it comes to updating furniture hardware like drawer pulls, spray paint is the perfect tool for the job.

Not only is using spray paint affordable, but it also requires minimal effort and time compared to traditional painting methods. Plus, the smooth and even finish you can get with spray paint gives your furniture a professional and polished look.

Another great advantage of using spray paint for furniture is the wide range of colors and finishes available. From metallics to matte finishes, there’s a spray paint option to suit every style and aesthetic. And whether your drawer pulls are made of metal, wood, or plastic, spray paint is versatile and can adhere to a variety of surfaces.

Ready to give it a try? Keep reading and follow these simple steps to spray paint your drawer pulls! You’ll have stylish and updated furniture in no time.

Supplies Used for Spray Painting Drawer Pulls

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Remove and Clean Drawer Pulls

First things first, before you start spray painting your drawer pulls, you’ll need to remove them from the furniture. This will make it easier for you to paint and to make sure that you get even coverage on all sides of the pull. You also don’t want unwanted paint on the furniture itself.

With the drawer pulls removed, it’s important to give them a good cleaning before painting. You can either boil them in hot water or use a degreasing cleaner like Krud Kutter to remove any dirt, grease, or grime buildup.

Make sure they are completely dry before moving on to the next step. Check out our more detailed guide on how to clean old furniture hardware here.

Lightly Sand Drawer Pulls

Now we want the spray paint to stick to the drawer pulls and last for a long time. Lightly sanding your drawer pulls will help with adhesion as it creates a rough surface for the paint to grip onto. This is especially important if you’re working with slick surfaces like metal.

Don’t worry, you don’t need to go crazy with the sanding, just a light scuff with 220 grit sandpaper will do. Then make sure to wipe off any dust created from the sanding process with a clean tack cloth before moving on. You want to make sure your drawer pulls are clean and free of any debris before painting.

Prime Drawer Pulls before Painting

Now that your drawer pulls are clean and sanded, it’s time to prime them before painting. Priming helps even more with adhesion, even if you skipped the sanding step. It also helps to create a smooth and durable finish for your spray paint.

And when it comes to priming, my go-to options are shellac-based primers like BIN shellac primer and clear shellac. One of the best things about using a shellac primer is its ability to stick to any surface, so this makes it perfect for drawer pulls made of different materials.

Plus, these spray primers dry quickly and can be painted over with both oil and waterbased paints. So no need to worry about compatibility issues there. Apply a couple of light coats of primer on your drawer pulls, letting it dry for about an hour in between coats.

Spray Paint Drawer Pulls

Now we are finally ready to start spray painting our drawer pulls! This is the fun part where you get to see your old and boring hardware transform into something new. For what spray to use on your hardware pulls, check out the best spray paint for furniture and the best spray paint for metal for our recommendations.

Apply light and even coats of the spray paint, making sure to cover all angles and corners. It’s better to apply multiple thin coats than one thick coat as it helps prevent drips and uneven coverage. And remember to let each coat dry for a few minutes before applying the next one. But if you still do get some drips, we have ways how to fix spray paint drips here.

You need to apply the coats within an hour of each other, or else you will have to wait for 48 hours. So give your drawer pulls time to dry but also make sure to finish it within the hour timeframe.

Once you’ve applied enough coats and are happy with the coverage, let your drawer pulls dry completely. This usually takes around 24 hours, but always check the instructions on your specific spray paint for drying times.

Seal Spray Painted Drawer Pulls

So, you’ve spray painted your drawer pulls and they look amazing! But now you might be wondering – should I seal them? Well, the short answer is: it’s completely up to you. If you’re satisfied with how they look and don’t foresee any heavy wear and tear on your furniture, then sealing may not be necessary.

However, if you want to make sure that the paint stays intact for a longer period of time, then it might be worth considering sealing your newly spray painted drawer pulls. An oil based topcoat is typically the best option since most spray paints are oil based too. Here’s a post about Minwax polyurethane spray for more details about an oil based topcoat.

Apply the topcoat in thin, even layers and let it dry completely before handling the drawer pulls. This will not only add an extra layer of protection to your hardware, but it can also give them a nice shine or matte finish depending on the topcoat you choose.

Let Spray Painted Drawer Pulls Dry

After the hardware has dried completely, you can attach them back to your furniture and admire the transformation! It’s always exciting to see how much of a difference newly painted drawer pulls can make in updating the look of your furniture.

And there’s our quick and easy guide on how to spray paint drawer pulls! Now you can confidently tackle that furniture makeover and give those old, dull hardware pieces a new life.