How to...Customize a Frame

Have you ever seen a cute frame that you didn't buy because it was the wrong color? Or have you ever tossed or given away a frame because it no longer "fit" with your decor? I'm going to show you how to customize any frame so that it goes with your decor - and it's easy and inexpensive!


A few weeks ago, when I was on one of my many sojourns to Jo-Ann's, I came across a couple of really cute summery frames that were 70% off, plus I had a 15% off coupon. The original cost would've been $39.98 - I paid $10.10!

The only problem was that they were bright pink and orange - neither of which goes with anything in my home. So let me show you what I did with one of them!

1. The original frame was bright pink, with bright yellow and white.
2. I used 3M Fine Grit Sandpaper to scuff up the paint a little, then wiped the frame down really well to make sure all of the dust was gone.
3. Next, I used ScotchBlue Painter's Tape to cover the glass since it was attached to the frame.
4. Then I used Behr Ultra Plus Paint (primer & paint in one) satin finish in white (that we had in the garage) to paint the entire frame. It took 3 coats.
5. I let that paint cure for about 24-36 hours, then I used ScotchBlue Painter's Tape to mark off the areas I wanted to paint a different color. I intended to paint the top and bottom dark grey, then also have two thinner stripes of grey (I used Delta Creative Ceramcoat Acrylic Paint in Hippo Grey) in the center of each side.
6. I read somewhere about painting the edge of the ScotchBlue Painter's Tape with the same paint as the base - so that if it bleeds, it will bleed the same color. So I gave that a shot.

Here's where the problem came in - and I have nothing to blame except my own laziness.

When I taped off the frame, the tape I used was almost 2" wide. I used two strips of that on each side of the frame. Then for the thinner stripes, I cut one of those in half, and put one on each side. Apparently, you shouldn't cut ScotchBlue Painter's Tape in half. The stripes made with the wide tape were perfect! But the stripes made with the cut tape bled all over. It was a mess. And it left raised edges and bumps. Argh. All because I was too lazy to walk to the garage and get the thinner tape!

So I gently sanded the middle stripes, trying to remove any raised areas.


Then I decided to just paint wide grey stripes in the middle of each side - so I painted over the entire middle area.


Much better!!


I used a hanger to suspend the frame (in the garage) so that I could spray Rust-Oleum Gloss Clear Spray Paint all over the frame.


The frame looks completely different - and I didn't have to buy any supplies - everything I used, I had here at home!


You could use any color you wanted - even leftover wall colors! You could also paint any design - use stencils, paint freehand, trace around objects - whatever looks good to you!



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