I would try spray painting one handle to see if you get the result you want. And easy way to do this is to screw the screws into the handle, get a piece of Styrofoam, push the screws into it and spray away.

It's a good option if you can't find anything to replace them with . Try and find new ones first

Styrofoam is a great idea, bobbi!

Depending on what you are trying to achieve, I believe that yes you can paint them and if you like me that do not know how to they are really cheap to replace.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Amerock-3-in-Barrel-Center-Pull-in-Oil-Rubbed-Bronze-Finish-BP53013ORB/100673711#.UbH5qXLD_L8

Not a good idea. Bad choice in pulls and in a bad location on the doors. Try a knob in the location of the hole on the outer edge of the door. Putty, sand and repaint the other hole. They'll still be weird no matter what color they're painted.

We had this problem, although we also had external hinges which we could not find to buy. What we did was buy new handles and then paint the hinges with nail polish that matched the new handle color. We used an antique black finish (can't remember the name of the color of the handles, but the nail polish - Sally Hansen's "Diamond Strength no chip" in the color, "Black Diamonds," number 480 - worked beautifully! You could just use that nail polish on your handles. It took a couple of coats.

Rustoleum works the best on metal. Check these out: http://www.rustoleum.com/CBGProduct.asp?pid=114

Good luck! :)

I agree with Rustoleum!!!

new handles don't have to be expensive. I suggest looking on overstock.com or amazon. I purchased 36 pulls for under 100.00 in an oil rubbed bronze for my kitchen and some brushed nickel for my bathroom. Both look terrific and less than 3.00 per pull.

I also agree with Rustoleum or the type of paint used on stand alone metal fireplaces........but be sure your handles are clean of all grease. Wash with TSP or rubbing alcohol and dry well. I'd choose black or weathered bronze colorwise. Also, as sbimiller sugested above, you can get good looking ones at Home Depot or Lowes for very little money that will look great until you're ready to do the full remodel. Saves a lot of time and energy.

Stick them in the dishwasher! Faster and easier than washing by hand!

I paint handles all the time with Chalk Paint decorative paint by Annie Sloan. Sticks great! Wax the handles after 2-3 coats of paint and let them "cure" for 2 weeks and you have new handles!!!

I just spray painted all of the bright brass handles and hinges in my home with metallic antique gold spray paint. They turned out beautifully. Spray lightly and do it twice to avoid drip marks.

DO DOT USE STYROFOAM!! THE PAINT DISSOLVES IT IMMEDIATELY. MAKES A BIG MESS.

Yes you can

http://www.ehow.com/how_2173921_paint-kitchen-cabinet-hardware.html

A client (I'm a realtor) antiqued some bright brass knobs with paint and it looked excellent. Yes may not wear well but will buy time or make the house look beautiful for sale.

They do it all the time on HGTV. You must put a light sand on them first then prime then use an automotive or enamel paint. After your done clear coat.

Of course it can be done but why? Pulls are cheap. You'll spend more time and effort than it's worth, plus, like I said before, you'll still have the same pulls which are in a bad location.

I painted mine with great results that held up well over time using a good quality spray paint for metal. The trick is to make certain they are super clean first.

http://www.thepennyparlor.com/2010/08/wonder-of-spray-paint.html Here is a DIY for painting metal door knobs. Let us know how they turn out.

mjpaints, what prep do you do on the knobs before you paint them?

Thank you ALL for the help!!! We were not happy after testing of 2 handles. Thanks LeeLee, we purchased new handles for $40 that compliment our personal style. The placement of the handles are vertical and not horizontal like the picture suggests. The pic loaded sideways. We like knobs but we can't repair the hole left in the melamine to our liking. We will paint the existing handles and repurpose them for other projects.

That's funny, your picture was turned wrong. Glad it worked out.

Not much prep... Just clean them. You don't have to sand.