How To Paint A Frame
This is the article that’s going to change how you look at every thrift store frame you’ve ever walked past. Once you know how easy this is, the color of a frame stops being a reason to put it back.
Here’s What You Need
- Primer: nothing fancy, any basic white primer from the hardware store works.
- Paint: I like Farrow & Ball sample cans– they are made with the real formula, and one can covers several frames easily. Plus, they have great colors!
- Paint brush: a small & flat brush gives you the most control and the cleanest finish. This is the type of brush I typically use.
The Process
Step 1: use primer
Prime first– always. Even if the frame looks like it would take paint fine, primer gives you a surface that actually holds the paint and makes the color look better.
If you skip this step, you’ll likely need more coats and end up with a finish that chips faster. It takes five minutes and it’s worth it.
Skip glossy plastic frames entirely– they’re hard to prime, hard to paint, and honestly not worth the effort. Wood frames are what you want. If a frame is plastic and glossy, put it back!
Step 2: let it dry
And now, we let it dry completely. I know. Waiting is hard. But rushing between coats is the one thing that will actually make this go wrong.
A coat that isn’t fully dry before the next one goes on will get streaky and peel. Give it the time it needs– usually at least an hour between coats, longer if you can manage it.
Step 3: time to paint
Paint the frame using a few thin coats, not thick ones. Each coat should look a little thin when it goes on– that’s fine. It builds up! Two coats is usually enough for lighter colors, three for darker or more saturated ones.
Let each coat dry fully before the next.
A Note On Perfection
Here’s something I want you to know: my painted frames are not always perfect. Some of them have slightly uneven coverage, a spot I missed, a brush stroke you can see if you look closely. Alex’s frames are perfect. Mine are not.
Nobody has ever noticed.
A painted frame on a gallery wall is doing its job– adding color, tying into your palette, making the art feel intentional. It doesn’t need to be museum quality to do that job beautifully.
The goal is art on the wall, not a perfect paint job. Done is so much better than perfect here.
One More Thing
You will be amazed at how quickly you can paint a frame once you’ve done it once. The whole process– prime, two coats, done– can happen in an afternoon if you’re moving efficiently.
Start in the morning, let everything dry between coats, hang your art by evening. It’s genuinely that fast.
How To Paint Frames: Action Items
Look through your frames and pick one to paint– a thrift store find is perfect for this
Feeling crafty? Make your own bobbin frame!