How to Touch Up an Antique Frame
Antique picture frames are a great way to add character or a decorative design element while showcasing a favorite photograph or painting. While many people like antique picture frames for their distinct worn look, finding antique frames that are in good enough condition for use can be difficult. Sometimes, the frame is not as structurally sound as a new one. Fortunately, there are several strategies you can employ to give almost any picture frame an antique look. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Old newspaper
- Disposable plastic gloves
- 150 grit sandpaper
- Crackle paint
- Small or medium paint brush
- Dark stain
- Old rag
- Old key
- Eco-friendly spray paint
Instructions
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Place some newspaper on a flat table surface where you can work on your painted picture frame. Wearing disposable plastic gloves, sand the surface of the frame with 150 grit sandpaper, hitting random spots along the raised sections of the frame. If there are no raised sections, sand in a few spots along the frame, to give the frame a weathered or shabby chic look.
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Paint the surface of the frame with crackle paint. Crackle paint gives an aged look to a frame. Follow the directions on the crackle paint bottle, and use a clean, small or medium sized paint brush to apply the paint. Repeat coats if necessary, letting the first coat dry before applying a second coat.
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Stain an older wooden frame with a dark stain. Apply the stain with a paint brush, but in selected sections only. Stain can give an appearance of a streaked, fading look. You can also wipe on the stain with an old rag, to give the surface of the frame more of a texture. An old rag that is dried stiff or has an abrasive texture works best.
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Scrape the surface of a picture frame with an old key or sharp instrument to make it look older. Drag the key in sections along dried paint, or apply the key to new paint that is in the drying stage.
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Use spray paint to antique a metal or plastic picture frame. For plastic, use a spray paint made specifically for plastic. Open windows for proper ventilation, or use the spray paint outside. Spray on gold or silver paint unevenly in sections to give the frame a worn look. You can also spray the entire frame evenly, then use a textured rag to dab some paint off in random areas.
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References
- Photo Credit Andrew Bret Wallis/Brand X Pictures/Getty Images
