How to Spray Paint Metal Cabinet Hinges

Painting the hinges on your kitchen or bathroom cabinets is an easy weekend project that can completely transform the look of your cabinets. With some preparation, high-quality spray paint, and attention to detail, you can give old, dated hardware a modern facelift. This comprehensive guide will walk you through all the steps for properly spray painting metal cabinet hinges.

Introduction to Spray Painting Cabinet Hinges

Painting the hardware is one of the easiest and most affordable ways to update the look of your cabinets without a full renovation. Even if your cabinets are in good condition, old brass or nickel hinges can make them look dated and worn.

Replacing all the hinges on your cabinets would be time-consuming and expensive. Spray painting the existing hardware allows you to inexpensively upgrade the look with almost any color you can imagine. The prep work is minimal, and the painting itself goes quickly. With a few coats of a high-quality spray paint formulated for metal, you can give your cabinets a cohesive custom look.

Spray paint adheres better to metal than brushed-on paint. It provides smooth, even coverage across all the edges and grooves of the hinges. Prepping and spraying each hinge only takes a couple of minutes, so you can easily paint all the hardware for an entire kitchen in just an afternoon.

Follow these steps to learn how to properly prep, paint, and reinstall cabinet hinges for a flawless, professional-looking finish.

Supplies Needed for Spray Painting Cabinet Hinges

Spray painting hinges is simple with just a few supplies:

• High-quality spray paint formulated for metal surfaces
• Painters tape
• Tarp or drop cloth
• Sandpaper or steel wool
• Tack cloth
• Paper plates or cardboard
• Masking tape
• Clean rags
• Phillips screwdriver
• Plastic bags

Spray paint: Choose a paint specifically made for metal for maximum adhesion and durability. Gloss and satin finishes provide a smooth, professional look. Opt for a paint with a primer included, so you only need 1-2 coats for full coverage. Rust-Oleum and Krylon are top brands for spray paints.

Painters tape: Use to tape off any areas you don’t want to paint. Blue painters tape removes easily without pulling up paint or damaging surfaces underneath.

Tarp/drop cloth: Cover any surfaces around the work area that you want to protect from paint overspray.

Sandpaper/steel wool: Lightly scuffing the surface helps the paint adhere. Fine grit sandpaper or steel wool work well.

Tack cloth: Wipes away dust from sanding between coats for a smooth finish.

Paper plates/cardboard: Provides a disposable surface to spray the hinges on.

Masking tape: Used to mask off portions of the hinges you don’t want painted.

Clean rags: For wiping down hinges before painting. Rags cut into small squares work well.

Plastic bags: To store hinges in so they don’t get scratched or damaged.

Phillips screwdriver: For removing and reinstalling the hinges.

How to Remove Cabinet Hinges for Painting

Before you can paint the hinges, you’ll need to remove them from the cabinets. Here’s how to safely take them off without damaging the cabinets:

Materials Needed

• Phillips screwdriver
• Paper towels or rag
• Pencil
• Plastic bags
• Painter’s tape (optional)

Steps to Remove Hinges

1. Open the cabinet door so the inside of the hinge is accessible. Place a paper towel or rag under the door to protect the cabinet.
2. Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the screws holding the two hinge pieces together. Place the screws in a small container so they don’t get lost.
3. Carefully lift the door portion of the hinge off and set it aside.
4. Remove the baseplate portion still attached to the cabinet frame. Make sure to keep track of which hinge goes with which door!
5. To help keep hinges organized, number each door and baseplate with a pencil so you can easily match them back up later.
6. Place matching hinge parts together in plastic bags labeled with the corresponding door number. This keeps them protected while painting.
7. Optionally use painter’s tape to cover any areas of the cabinet frame around the hinge mortises that you don’t want painted if overspray occurs.
8. Follow these steps to remove all the hinges from the cabinets.

How to Prep and Spray Paint Cabinet Hinges

With all the hardware removed, you’re ready to start prepping and painting. Follow these steps for a professional spray painted finish:

Supplies Needed

• Hinges removed from doors
• Tarp/drop cloth
• Sandpaper or steel wool
• Tack cloth
• Spray paint
• Paper plates or cardboard
• Masking tape
• Clean rags

Prep Steps

1. Cover your work area with a tarp or drop cloth. Spray paint can drift, so protect any nearby surfaces you don’t want painted.
2. Lightly scuff each hinge with sandpaper or steel wool to rough up the surface. This helps the paint adhere better.
3. Wipe off any dust with a tack cloth. Make sure the hinges are clean before painting.
4. To avoid getting paint on the cabinet door surface, mask off the inside of each hinge piece with painter’s tape.
5. Place hinges on cardboard or paper plates to catch drips as you paint.

Spray Painting Steps

1. Refer to the spray paint can directions for proper use. Shake the can vigorously for at least 60 seconds before spraying.
2. Hold the can 6-10 inches away from the hinge at a perpendicular angle. Apply light, even coats using a side to side sweeping motion.
3. Spray the edges and underside of the hinge as well as the front facing area. Cover all surfaces for a uniform look.
4. Let dry for at least 1 hour between coats following the manufacturer’s instructions. Lightly sand any drips with fine grit sandpaper before applying another coat.
5. Apply 2-3 thin coats for complete coverage, allowing proper drying time between coats. Thick coats can lead to drips and uneven finish.
6. Remove painter’s tape immediately after the final coat before the paint fully dries.
7. Let hinges cure 24 hours before reinstalling on cabinets.

Painting Tips

• Avoid painting in humid, cool, or damp conditions. This can negatively affect the finish.
• Use short, sweeping strokes and keep the can in motion while spraying for the smoothest finish.
• Rotate and turn the hinges as you paint to ensure all sides get an even coat of paint.
• Paint a light first coat as a primer or basecoat, then follow with slightly heavier topcoats for full coverage.
• Work in a well-ventilated area since spray paint fumes are flammable and toxic if inhaled.

How to Reinstall Spray Painted Cabinet Hinges

Once the hinges are fully dry, you can put the cabinets back together:

Supplies Needed

• Painted hinges
• Pencil
• Phillips screwdriver
• Paper towel or rag

Reinstallation Steps

1. Refer to pencil markings to match hinge pieces to the correct cabinet door.
2. Place a paper towel or rag beneath the door to protect the cabinet box.
3. Insert screws through each hinge piece and into the pre-drilled holes in the cabinet frame and door.
4. Tighten screws with a Phillips screwdriver until snug. Be careful not to overtighten.
5. Open and close door to test movement and alignment. Adjust if needed by loosening screws and realigning.
6. Remove any pencil markings on hinges and doors. Wipe away any paint overspray or drips immediately with a rag and paint thinner.
7. Repeat steps to reinstall all painted hinges on each cabinet door.

Let the paint fully cure for several days before using the cabinets normally. Proper spray paint adhesion takes up to two weeks. Avoid scrubbing or placing excess strain on the hinges during this time. With just a bit of easy prep work, you can quickly change the entire look of your kitchen or bath with a custom spray painted finish on the hardware.

Tips for Achieving a Professional Spray Painted Finish on Hinges

Follow these pro tips as you prep, prime, and paint your cabinet hinges for results that look like they were professionally sprayed:

• Clean thoroughly – Make sure all hinge surfaces are free of grease, grime, or dust before priming/painting for proper adhesion.
• Lightly scuff – Use fine grit sandpaper or steel wool to lightly abrade the finish. This helps the paint grab onto the surface.
• Avoid overspray – Carefully tape off any areas you don’t want painted, like cabinet frames or doors.
• Spray lightly – Multiple thin coats look better than one thick, heavy coat. Thick paint can drip or bubble.
• Patience pays off – Allow proper drying time between coats for smoothest results. Rushing the process leads to problems.
• Stick with spray paint – Spray paint adheres to metal much better than brushed on paint and provides an ultra smooth finish.
• Protect nearby surfaces – Use tarps or drop cloths when painting to avoid accidentally painting other surfaces.
• Angle spray properly – Keep spray paint can at the recommended angle and distance from surface based on can directions.
• Shake paint vigorously – This ensures the paint properly mixes and sprays evenly without clogging.
• Consider all angles – Rotate and pivot hinges as you paint to coat all sides and edges evenly.

Common Questions About Spray Painting Cabinet Hinges

Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about spray painting kitchen and bathroom cabinet hardware:

What kind of paint works best for hinges?

A spray paint made specifically for metal works best. The formula adheres tightly, resists chipping or peeling, and provides long-lasting protection. Opt for high quality paints from reputable brands like Rust-Oleum or Krylon.

How do I get a smooth factory-like finish when spray painting?

Lightly sanding before painting, applying multiple thin coats, allowing proper dry time between coats, and avoiding painting in humid conditions will all help achieve a smooth surface that looks professionally sprayed.

What precautions should I take when spray painting?

Paint in a well-ventilated area away from open flames. The fumes are flammable and toxic if inhaled in large quantities. Also wear a respirator mask or ventilator and protective eyewear.

Should hinges be removed before spray painting?

Yes, it’s best to remove all hardware from the cabinets first. Trying to tape off hinges that are still attached often leads to messier results with overspray getting on cabinet surfaces.

How long does spray paint take to fully cure?

Most spray paint will be dry to the touch within an hour but may take up to 2 weeks to fully cure, depending on humidity and other environmental factors. Avoid heavy use of painted hinges during this time.

Will spray paint match my existing cabinet finish?

It may not be an exact match, so when painting existing hinges, remove one and take it to the store to test different spray paints on the back to compare colors. Or opt for a contrasting color.

How do I avoid paint rubbing off on cabinet doors?

Carefully masking off the inside surface before painting prevents paint from getting on door surfaces that touch the hinge pieces. Be sure to let painted hinges fully cure before reinstalling.

Conclusion

Painting kitchen or bathroom cabinet hardware with spray paint is an easy and inexpensive way to update dated hinges. With proper preparation, priming, painting technique, and curing time, spray painted cabinet hinges can look like new again. Just be sure to use a high quality metal-formulated spray paint, work in thin coats, allow proper drying time between coats, and take steps to avoid overspray. Follow the steps in this guide for beautifully painted hinges that make your cabinets look professionally refinished.