How to Paint a Picture Frame

Upcycling old picture frames is an easy DIY project that gives any space a quick, vibrant facelift. Whether you're giving your old frames new life or adding your personal touch to thrifted frames, a fresh coat of paint is enough to make them hang-worthy again. We'll even help you distress your frames for a vintage-look picture frame to hold all your nostalgic portraits.

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Best Paint for Picture Frames

You don't need to buy special paint from the craft store. Interior latex paint works just fine for painting old picture frames, especially if they're wood. If you have an old plastic or metal frame you want to repaint, opt for spray paint, as those formulas tend to be designed to adhere to various types of materials.

Best Brush for Painting Frames

An angled brush is best for painting around corners and molding. If you're painting a frame with a more intricate design, a round brush will allow you to get into the crevices without causing the paint to pool in the design.

STEP 1

Prep

Remove the glass and backing from your frames and wipe down with a damp rag to make sure the surface is clean. If you have a frame that you want to repaint but don't want to remove the picture, you leave the frame intact so long as it has a glass cover. Tape along the inner edge of the frame to prevent getting paint on the glass.

Lay your picture frames on drop cloth or old bed sheet. This will double as your workspace and the area for the frames to dry.

Tip: This project doesn't require you to sand your picture frames beforehand. However, if your frames have a lot of chipping paint, you'll want to use fine-grit sandpaper for a smooth final product. If you want a more distressed and vintage look, the uneven coverage may support that look.

STEP 2

Stir

Use a multi-tool to gently open the paint cans. Lightly stir the paint with a stirring stick.

Tip: If you get stuck and can't decide on a color, our Paint Color Visualizer is the perfect tool for finding color schemes and inspiration.

STEP 3

Paint

Use the brush to apply the first coat of paint.

Allow the paint to dry for at least 4 hours before applying a second coat. Wrap your brushes in plastic wrap or foil to keep them from drying out between paint coats.

If spray painting your frames, wait at least an hour before adding more coats.

Ensure that frame coatings are as even as possible.

Tip: Always clean your brushes for future use and properly store and dispose of unused paint.

STEP 4

Distress Your Frame

Distress them for a more antique look if you want to add more depth to your freshly painted frames. Use fine-grit sandpaper to lightly sand your frames where natural wear would occur, like the corners and edges. Alternatively, you can also dry brush a slightly darker paint color around the edges and corners to add more depth to your frame. You can even try combining these two methods to achieve your ideal look.

Tip: Applying a finishing wax can also distress your frame and create depth without adding another paint color.