7 answers

DIY Painting Disaster!

I have two large wooden picture frames with ugly prints in them and I had the idea to paint the frames white to match our decor and put nice new artwork in them for our living room. The inner edge of the frames have a raised flowering detail. How hard can painting a couple frames be, I thought? Here's what I've done so far:
I sanded the existing finish a bit to "scuff them up". Then I used Rustoleum spray paint (enamel). The only space I had to do this was in our poorly lit garage on the floor with newspapers down. I sprayed too thick and there were a ton of drips. So I waited a couple days for them to dry, then sanded them down and resprayed. This time it had more drips, in addition to dust particles from our dirty garage and from the wind blowing in from outside. I decide to give up on spray paint and try hand painting (which I could do inside, on a table, with good lighting). So I purchased some white acrylic paint and a bunch of foam brushes. I sanded off as much of the spray paint as I could, then cleaned and dried the frames. I have since put two coats of the acrylic paint on and the result is TERRIBLE! So many brush strokes! Im so frustrated and want to give up but I've already sunk about $30 into this project, not to mention all this time. It was supposed to be an easy one day project. I'm hoping there are some DIY moms out there who can give me advice on what my next step should be....somehow remove the acrylic paint and start over? If so, should I try spraying again or hand painting? Clearly, I'm challenged in both areas. Any advice is appreciated!

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So What Happened?™

I love the "shabby chic" idea....Momma L- what grit of sandpaper do you suggest I use? And after I sand it a bit, what type of stain do I use over it? Right now I have a couple coats of the water-based acrylic craft paint on the frames....not sure if that matters?

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I paint frames all the time. If I were you, I would lightly sand paper the frames to reveal exposed areas, then maybe even get a bit of minwax stain and run some stain over it, then wipe it off on some parts... that will give you a lovely distressed 'shabby chic' look that is so popular. Otherwise, trying to get in and sand between all the floral carvings is going to be an absolute nightmare. Sometimes ,you have to work with what you got and change your vision a little bit.

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You could try roughing up the raised edges and possibly go for a shabby chic look?
-or-
The key to spray painting is to stay about 12 inches away and use many light coats and let them dry in between coats.

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I wouldn't spray paint. I have hand painted furniture for years and I always use acrylic. First you shouldn't use foam brushes. The paint gets absorbed by the brushes you are wasting paint (and creating the extra brush stroke look. You need bristal brushes. You will also need to add up to three coats. And makes sure each coat is completely dry before adding the next (Also you didn't need to do all that sanding. Acrylic paint and spray paint don't scrap off easily unless the frames were very glossy.)

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I LOVE wiener rollers!! Little sponge rollers, I can be inside and no brush marks. i will take a brush and get in the areas the roller can't reach, and then roll'em out! I live by these things and other than walls I use them for all my small projects! Don't give up! You'll feel good that the project was completed and didn't beat you!

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I don;t know how intricate the floral pattern is but you could try removing the paint and then using a foam "brush" to repaint them. I have painted frames before using one and no brushes strokes as long as you are careful, plus a little easier at corners. Or you could use one and a small roller to get in--foam first and then over right away with a roller.

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I've spray painted many frames, and it's turned out great.

Let them dry thoroughly, sand AGAIN, and use spray paint again. You have to do really thin coats, continually moving your hand back and forth as you spray.

If you have a lot of drips, you must be spraying too thickly, and too close, as Casey says. Back up more from the frame, and do very light, quick coats. If you do it outside on a sunny day, you can recoat within 1/2 hour.

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I suck at painting, especially spray. I find foam brushes work well with acrylics, I have frames done in purple in my bathroom.

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Next question: Brush or Spray?

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