Love the picture but not the frame? My motto: paint it!
I’ve painted plenty of frames around my house—because, well, I love to paint. This one’s for an office, and the owner wanted something simple and clean. Enter Iron Gate paint from Heirloom traditions.
Quick guide: Click any step below to jump straight to what you need.
Supplies (click for links)
For Heirloom Traditions and GreenEZ, use for HAPPILYPAINTEDHOME for an added discount!
Step 1: Remove the backing.
If possible, take off the brown paper on the back and gently remove the frame.
If there’s brown paper covering the back of the frame, gently peel it off. Then carefully remove the frame backing. Depending on how it was assembled, you might find layers of matting or cardboard, along with a few sneaky fasteners.
Tip: Go slow and be gentle! You don’t want to accidentally bend or damage the artwork inside.
Step 2: Disassemble carefully.
Take out all layers (there may be several), along with any fasteners. Be extra cautious not to damage the actual artwork.
Once the backing is off, take out each layer—glass, matting, artwork, and anything else tucked inside. Keep everything in order so you can reassemble it easily later.
Step 3: Clean the frame
Use a phosphate-free TSP and water solution to clean off grime or residue.
Frames collect dust and grime over time, especially older ones. I wiped mine down with a solution of phosphate-free TSP and water to remove any dirt or oils that could interfere with the paint.
Step 4: Degloss
Wipe the frame with a de-glosser to help paint adhere better.
Next, I used a de-glosser to help the paint stick better. Heirlooms makes a good one, but I used a different brand I already had on hand. Just wipe it on and let it dry—it’s a great alternative to sanding if you want to skip the mess.
Step 5: Paint!
Apply at least two coats of paint.
Time for my favorite part! I used a 1-inch brush to apply the first coat. Once it was fully dry, I added a second coat for full coverage. Make sure to let each layer dry completely before moving on, or the finish might be lumpy or peel off.
Step 6: Clean the glass
Make sure both sides are spotless before reassembling.
Before putting everything back together, clean the glass—both sides! Trust me, it’s easier now than after it’s reassembled. My absolute favorite glass cleaner is GreenEZ’s Vista Pure. (Bonus: it’s eco-friendly!) Use code HAPPILYPAINTEDHOME for an added discount!
Step 7: Reassemble
Carefully place the picture and all its layers back into the frame.
Carefully layer everything back in: the glass, the artwork, the matting (if you have it), and any backing pieces. Make sure everything sits snugly and evenly in the frame.
Step 8: Seal the back
Use a thin layer of glue to attach new brown packaging paper to the back for a finished look.
To give it a polished look, I used a thin layer of glue to attach fresh brown packaging paper to the back. It hides any staples or fasteners and makes the whole thing feel finished.
And that’s it! One freshly painted frame, office-ready! This project was simple and so worth it! Update any frame in your home with these easy steps.
