Can You Spray Paint a Faucet (Easy Step by Step Guide)

Giving your bathroom a facelift is a fun but sometimes expensive endeavor.

Finding easy and affordable ways to freshen up your home, such as spray-painting bathroom fixtures, can save time and money.

Can you spray paint a faucet? Read on to discover our tips and tricks. 

It is possible to spray paint faucet provided you have the right materials and bold brush strokes.

If you want to bring decorating costs down and keep using perfectly functional faucets, then spray painting instead of replacing them makes perfect sense. 

If your faucets are broken or a different style than what you need, replacing them may be preferable. Some pros and cons of spray-painting faucets include: 

Pros

  • Look fresh for years 
  • Cost-effective 
  • No external help required 
  • Beautiful finish 

Cons

  • Can chip over time 
  • Wait for a week after painting to use 
  • Regular maintenance 
Can You Spray Paint a Faucet

What Are The Best Spray Paint Colors For A Faucet? 

In short, the best spray paint color for your faucet is one that goes with your design and color scheme.

Consider matching it with other elements in the bathroom, such as the shower head, shower curtain railing, shower trim, bathroom fixtures, or doorknobs.  

Perhaps your favorite color could work. For example, if your favorite color is gold, you could metallic spray paint bathroom faucets with gold shade. If it is bronze, you metallic spray paint bathroom faucets with bronze spray paint. 

If you are struggling with color schemes, look for inspiration online to help you decide. Some common color choices for bathroom faucets include: 

  • Gold
  • Matte Black
  • Oil Rubbed Bronze
  • Bronze 
  • Silver 
  • Chrome 
  • Copper 
  • Brushed nickel 
  • Rose gold 
gold plated faucet

How Successfully Spray Paint Faucets

Want to know how to spray painted faucets? We have some tips to start painting both bathroom and kitchen ones below. 

Painting A Kitchen Faucet

Materials: 

  • Screwdriver 
  • 220 grit sandpaper 
  • Steel wool 
  • Damp cloth and paper towels 
  • Painters tape 
  • Brown paper covering/plastic tarp/drop cloths 
  • Spray primer/undercoat 
  • Spray paints of choice and oil based paint 
  • Lacquer top coat 
  • Protective clothing and face wear 
  1. 1
    Ventilate the area and put on protective clothing, face wear, and gloves.
  2. 2
    Tape the cloth or plastic to the walls behind the faucet, countertops, entire sink faucets, and floor. Make sure to cover at least 12 inches all around the tap.
  3. 3
    If you would like, remove the faucet handles from the faucet with the screwdriver according to manual instructions.
  4. 4
    Tape any areas of the bathroom fixtures, bath tub, tub faucet, door knobs, shower curtain rod, faucet and sink faucets that you do not want spray painted fixtures. We recommend spray-painting your metal drain, light fixtures, bathroom fixture and other metal parts of the sink, so apply painters tape around those area as well.
  5. 5
    Sand down the painting metal surfaces you want to paint to allow the all the paint to penetrate deeply through the faucet. 
  6. 6
    Clean those sanded surfaces with steel wool and then a clean damp cloth after applying oil based paints.
  7. 7
    Spray on the automotive primer, holding the can eight inches away from the painted surface, and wait the amount of time directed on the can.
  8. 8
    Spray the surface of your faucet with your chosen spray paint and waiting the recommended amount of time before putting several light coats. We recommend putting three light coats of paint on.
  9. 9
    Spray the topcoat on for an excellent finish and added longevity. Wait the recommended amount of time for it to dry to touch.
  10. 10
    Remove the various tape and cloths and wait one week before using your faucet. Add the handles, and you will be ready to use your tap. 

Painting Bathroom Sink Faucet

Materials: 

  • Drop cloths/plastic/newspapers
  • Protective clothing and face wear
  • Painter’s tape
  • 220 grit sandpaper
  • Primer or automotive primer
  • Paint
  • Top coat
  • Wool and cloth
  • Screwdriver
  1. 1
    Ventilate the room properly and put on protective clothing and face wear.
  2. 2
    Remove the handles with a screwdriver if you would like.
  3. 3
    Place the cloths and tape down areas that you do not want to get paint on. Try to cover at least 12 inches all around the faucet.
  4. 4
    Thoroughly clean the kitchen and bathroom faucet and drain. Once done, wait for them to dry completely.
  5. 5
    Sand the bathroom faucet parts you want to paint to help the paint absorb properly and promote longevity. 
  6. 6
    Spray the primer as directed via the instructions and leave it to dry for the recommended length of time.
  7. 7
    Apply your paint of choice, spraying 2-3 coats and leaving the prescribed time to dry between first coat or light coat and second coat.
  8. 8
    Apply three layers of topcoat or first coat as directed on the can and leave it to dry. 
  9. 9
    Reinstall the faucet and remove the cloths.
  10. 10
    Wait a week for the faucet to dry properly before use. 

How to Maintain A Newly Spray-Painted Faucet 

Now that your faucet looks shiny and new, you need to keep it looking good for as long as possible. If you applied a top coat or second coat, the coating should last longer, but how often it is used and how well it is maintained play a part in the paint’s longevity.

Some tips to keep your painted faucets looking fresh for years to come are: 

  1. 1
    Keep sharp things away.
  2. 2
    Do not use abrasive products such as abrasive cleaners on the faucet.
  3. 3
    Touch up any marks by spraying paint onto a disposable plate until it forms a puddle. Dip a Q-tip in the pool and add to the spots. Wait to dry and apply clear nail polish or use the same technique with topcoat spray on required fields are marked.
  4. 4
    Clean the faucet regularly but not too often. 
dark brown faucet

Spray Painting Faucet FAQs

Is spray paint waterproof? Will it hold up under water? 

Some spray paints are waterproof or resistant, and using a waterproof top coat helps. We recommend getting waterproof spray paint and topcoats for both bathroom and kitchen faucets. 


Can you use rub and buff on faucets? 

We recommend only using rub and buff with a top coat or on faucets that are not used regularly as the rub and buff can come off onto your hands during use. 


Do I need to seal spray paint? 

You don't necessarily have to seal spray paints as some paints have sealant in them already. We recommend either using a combination product or using sealant to make the paint job last. 


Conclusion

Spraying your faucets is a great way to keep the costs of a bathroom redecoration low without having to replace perfectly functional faucets. 

Now that you know how to paint kitchen faucets, bathroom faucets and start painting furniture, you can save time and money while making your home look even better.