How to Paint a Picture Frame

Want to change up your home decor in a simple, inexpensive way? Look to your picture frames! Whether you have an old frame that could use a little touch up or you’d like to customize a picture frame to match your color palette, a fresh coat of paint is a small change that can have a big impact on your home décor.

Painting Wood Picture Frames

MATERIALS NEEDED. Painting a wood picture frame is much like painting any other piece of wood furniture. You’ll need a few items:

• Wood picture frame
• Sandpaper (60 and 120 grit)
• Tack cloth
• Paint brushes
• Natural oil-based primer
• Natural oil-based paint

PREP THE SURFACE. Before painting a wood frame, you need to prepare the surface. All wood picture frames from Frame Destination are finished, some of which are also painted; if you are purchasing a wood picture frame from Frame Destination specifically to paint in a specific color, opt for one that has a natural finish such as Wood Frame Profile S30 or Wood Frame Profile 501.

Remove all parts of the frame, such as the glass or acrylic glazing, if still attached. Next, use the coarse 60-grit sandpaper to remove the existing paint or finish; then move to the finer 120-grit sandpaper to smooth out any rough edges. Using sandpaper to remove the finish and smooth it out allows the paint to better adhere to the wood.

Wipe down the frame with the tack cloth. Tack cloth is slightly sticky and will remove any dust and sandpaper particles that have settled on the frame.

Apply a coat of primer, which does exactly what its name suggests: It primes the frame to receive the next coat of paint, allowing for better adhesion and brighter colors.

TIME TO PAINT! After you’ve primed the frame, you can begin to paint. There are numerous types of paint available, including acrylic, latex, alkyd (synthetic) oil paint, and natural (e.g. linseed) oil paint. Natural oil paint works best on wood picture frames, as it dries slightly softer, so it can expand and contract with changing temperatures.

Oil-based paints take longer to dry than latex paints, so let the frame sit undisturbed for at least eight hours. Apply the next coat of paint after you are sure the paint has dried. You can also paint wooden frames in a shabby chic style, which requires just a few more materials.

You can also spray paint wood picture frames. Spray paints are commonly oil-based and will provide more even coverage — just be sure to spray paint in a well-ventilated area and protect the surface on which you are painting.

Painting Metal Picture Frames

MATERIALS NEEDED. Unlike wood, metal is a nonporous material, which makes it more difficult for paint to adhere. You will notice paint more readily flaking off of metal objects than wooden ones. The materials you need, however, are similar:

• Aluminum picture frame
• Grease-cutting dish detergent
• Wire brush
• Sandpaper (80 and 120 grit)
• Self-etching primer
• Spray paint

PREP THE SURFACE. Preparation is key when painting a metal picture frame. First, clean the frame with a grease-cutting dish detergent to remove any oils and let it dry completely.

Once it is dry, use 80-grit and later 120-grit sandpaper to lightly abrade the surface. If the surface seems to have oxidized or has an old coat of paint, make sure to first remove this with a wire brush. Once sanded, clean again with water and detergent. Finally, let the frame air dry.

TIME TO PAINT! Painting bare aluminum (i.e. a metal frame that has not be anodized) may result in a longer-lasting paint job. With bare aluminum, you can simply use a self-etching primer, which uses chemicals to score the surface of the metal for better adhesion. Anodized aluminum, on the other hand, has a layer that prevents paint from adhering to the surface. You can certainly try — using the same self-etching primer — but be aware that the paint may not stick well. Frame Destination metal picture frames that have not been anodized include, but are not limited to:

• Nielsen Profile 117A  (Classic, gallery-style frame in soft, muted colors)
• Nielsen Profile 225  (Bold modern frame makes your art stand out)
• Nielsen Profile 24  (Lush elegance in a satin-finished, curved frame)
• Nielsen Profile 33 (Slim black metal frame with modern style) 

Use spray paint on the metal picture frame, as this ensures an even finish. Let each coat dry completely before adding another.

Painting old picture frames or creating a custom-color picture frame is a fun and easy do-it-yourself project — all it takes is a little prep work and paint. If you'd rather buy a ready-made picture frame online, Frame Destination offers thousands. 

Written by Mark Rogers

Mark Rogers is the President and Co-Founder of Frame Destination. With over 20 years of experience in the field, Mark has become a leading authority on framing techniques and best practices, and has earned a reputation for his innovative approaches to custom framing and frame services for photographers and artists.

Last update March 23, 2023