How about a post on hunting for knockers? Not that kind — this is the promised follow-up about updating our door knocker and doorbell.
Here’s how things looked before: a handsome but clearly aged door knocker with a prominent flaw — the previous owner’s last name etched into the metal (I softened the photo a bit to spare their privacy).
We decided the engraving made the knocker more replaceable than salvageable and figured it was an opportunity to find something unique and striking. Our first stop was our favorite local hardware store, Pleasant’s Hardware, which had some animal-inspired options that Clara loved. The designs were tempting, but the price tags (around $188) were a deal-breaker for us.
Next we explored a nearby architectural salvage shop, Caravati’s, known for interesting reclaimed pieces. They had some attractive choices — we especially liked a chunky ring-style knocker — but the price was still well above what we wanted to spend (that one was $185). I didn’t realize door knockers could be that expensive.
Lowe’s and Home Depot had affordable options, but they tended to be the same urn-style knocker we already had, just smaller and less original looking. Choosing one of those would have meant making new holes in the door and ending up with pretty much the same aesthetic.
When the big-box stores didn’t excite us, we searched online and found some promising and slightly more affordable pieces at Restoration Hardware and Anthropologie. At about $50 they felt like a bargain compared with the salvage shop and hardware store, but they were also much smaller than our original knocker. On a two-story facade, we worried they would appear lost and out of scale.
Deflated by all the options that didn’t quite fit, we turned to our existing knocker with fresh eyes. Someone at Caravati’s had suggested getting the engraving professionally buffed out. Before spending money on that, we wondered if a DIY attempt might work. My Dremel had sanding pads that seemed suitable for the job.
With little to lose, we removed the knocker and I started with the coarsest sandpaper attachment to see if it could erase the etched name.
The engraving began to fade. I paused, worried I might be causing permanent damage, but Sherry reassured me that a fresh coat of paint would hide any imperfections. So I kept going and continued to sand.
After a few passes with the low-grit pad, I switched to higher-grit pads to smooth out the scratches. The sanding left faint marks, but it also revealed a warm gold finish that probably closely resembled the knocker’s original appearance.
If we had wanted to fully restore that gold look and had the patience to buff every crevice, that could have been an exciting direction. Instead, we were satisfied that the engraving was removed and ready for a new finish that would match the rest of the porch hardware. Sherry used Rust-Oleum Universal All-Surface Spray in an oil-rubbed-bronze tone, applying three thin, mist-like coats to avoid drips and build up an even finish.
Once the paint dried, the de-personalized knocker looked perfectly at home on our new blue door. Its fresh surface even reflected the front yard — you can spot Sherry’s reflection in the shot — and the area I’d sanded matched the surrounding finish in color and texture. Small win.
Here’s a detail shot of the door open to better show the smooth finish without so many reflections.
We also decided to refresh the doorbell. We liked its shape, but previous sloppy paint had obscured it. A matching oil-rubbed-bronze finish would tie the bell to the knocker and other dark-toned accents on the porch.
Sherry’s trick to keep the button paint-free was to press a piece of poster putty (sticky-tack) over it. It’s easier than cutting a perfect circle of painter’s tape. After the paint dried she peeled the putty away and the button underneath was clean and unpainted.
One $7 can of spray paint was all it took to update two etched and overpainted porch fixtures. The darker finish helps them stand out while coordinating with the door handle, the black planters, and the entry’s other black accents.
Now we just have to deal with that crooked, bug-infested porch light…
Update: Since our house didn’t include a wired doorbell, we installed a wireless Ring video doorbell. The setup was surprisingly simple and only took a few steps.
Psst — Clara’s at it again, being funny and cute over here.