How to Age Wooden Picture Frames

Want to give a new lease of life to your frames?

Treat them like unique pieces full of personality, not just a support for your pictures and objects. Give them a vintage style in this quick and easy way.

In the following video, designer and framer Coy Aballay of @elpezenmarcado shares her wood-aging technique in three steps.

1. Paint the base of the frame

Paint the base of the frame in the color you want. For this one, Coy painted her frame white, applying three layers.

2. Sand the painted wood

Sanding the frame gives it that used look. You can use any coarse paper so the finish stands out more. Place more pressure in some places so that the bitumen stains the areas where the wood can be seen.

And remember, always sand following the grain of the wood to avoid possible marks in various directions.

3. Apply bitumen of Judea

You can make your own bitumen from tar and turpentine or find it in any specialist store. Apply it to the wood carefully (it stains a lot) with a cloth or brush. You can apply more in some zones, you’ll be able to work it out as you go. Afterwards, use a dry cloth to remove the bitumen wherever you think there is too much.

Done! Now, you have your vintage frame to put up on your wall at home. Give your pictures, photos, and objects a new value and surprise everyone with your new creation.

Want to go further? Make your own frames Iniciación al Enmarcado. Learn how to work with wood step by step with @elpezenmarcado to make custom frames with your own hands.

You may be interested in:

- Decorating with Framed Art, a course by Rosario Greene
- Professional Woodworking for Beginners, a course by Patricio Ortega (Maderística)
- Design and Creation of Handmade Workspaces, a course by Gema Casado Olea