Flashback to January 2011. I was just starting to accessorize our new home and began spray painting everything in sight, including all of the dated brass fixtures.
Before:
After:
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| Yes… I know it’s upside down ): |
That was using Krylon’s ORB spray paint, with no prep other than a thorough cleaning.
Fast forward exactly 15 months later… and here’s the same handle from the last pic:
Looking good, right?
Well… here’s the other side of that handle:
Yikes.
I’ve been putting this off for a while, because I had much more exciting projects to fill my time. But enough was enough.
Here’s how every other door handle in the house was looking:
Some were fine, some had a few nicks, and others were a hot mess.
I decided I’d go by the book this time, and that meant sanding and using deglosser. I read that sandpaper (even fine grit) was just too rough for the finish, so I spent about 3 hours and 6 handfuls of steel wool trying to prep the surface as best as I could.
As you can see, the old paint didn’t fully remove, which literally would have taken days (especially with this intricate style handle and hard to reach spots). So I called it a night and came back the next morning with fresh hands.
For this round, I decided to try Rustoleum’s version. We had used it several months back on our guest bathroom fixtures, and those are still going strong. I also prefer the brown/gold fleck quality it has over Krylon’s, which was more of a flat black indoors.
After thoroughly wiping with deglosser, I applied the first coat:
Four or five light, even coats later, these babies were ready to go:
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| Note: The coloring always looks lighter outdoors/in the sun. |
And we’re back to square one…
I think as long as they don’t encounter blunt force trauma with anything metal, they will hold up. But we all know life happens, and that can’t always be prevented. Check back in 15 months for another update 🙂
*******
In unrelated news… I’ve been published!
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| Yep, that’s our bedroom wall |
I’m so honored and humbled to have been chosen for an interview for Jacksonville Magazine’s June 2012 issue.
But the most exciting part of this week begins in just 6 hours, when I head to the airport to see my family for the first time since Christmas. They never travel (they haven’t even been east of Utah!) so this will be such a good experience for them. I can’t wait to show them how the South/East Coast lives… maybe I can convince them to move here 🙂
Time to get back to cleaning/laundry/yardwork/grocery-ing before they arrive. Have an amazing week, everyone!
Anonymous says
I've been looking at your blog. I am from California,too. Great pictures! What kind of camera do you have?
lifeoflaurenlou says
I ORB'd my handles too and I used a primer first. (Valspar primer and ORB paint) and they turned out really well! Congrats on the article!
Kevin says
Also congrats on the magazine!
Kevin says
I spray painted my old door handles (got the idea from you) using that exact same Rustoleum paint. So far so good, I'll let you know if I run into any problems.
Even with the set back, it is still a great idea that saved me some money I didn't have to spare during my home reno.
brynn says
Thank you! Order coming shortly!
Jenna Sue says
Thanks! They are shown in taupe, 16×20 and in Ikea Virserum frames.
Brynn says
congrats on the article! I love the maps and would like to purchase some for my living room. Can you tell me the size and color that you have on the wall?
Thanks!!
Jenna Sue says
I think it really just depends on the can you get. It got clogged a few times with this can… one shot would come out splotchy and the other perfectly smooth. Guess it's just the nature of the beast?
Amy says
Awesome feature in Jacksonville Mag! Very well deserved, Jenna!
Kristi Lynn says
My spraypainted handles are doing the same thing! Hmmm. On another note I am so proud of you (even though I don't know you ha) and your design business. You & your work deserve the recognition! Way to go! Have fun with your family!
Amy says
Thanks for the update, this is good to know!
Michelle says
Love it!
Joan says
Do you have a secret for getting that Rust-oleum sprayer to work? I loved the color, and was really excited when I bought it, but all3 cans clogged, literally, within 10 seconds of using, and there was no fixing it. I tried calling the toll-free number on the back for some advice, and it was disconnected!
So I gave up, very disappointed! Please let me know if you have a secret for getting that sprayer to work!
Deb says
Yay for you on the article!!
Jennifer says
We need to spray paint our door handles too so thanks for the tutorial! And I didn't realize you were so close. I love reading your blog but thought you lived somewhere else in Florida. I live about a hour south of Jax, and come up there quite often for shopping. Anyways, love your house. Please keep up with all the awesome projects!