Wednesday, May 2, 2012

DIY Washed Wood Frame


School is almost out so my friend and I decided we wanted to exchange going away gifts, seeing as we are both moving to new cities (her to a new state). I decided one of the gifts I wanted to give her would be framed but I couldn't find a frame to suit. I headed over to the Wal-Mart and decided to buy the things I would need for my attempt at a "faded beach wood frame". I knew I wanted that washed and scratched look on it and might be able to get it by sanding the paint after a gentle coat of watered down paints were brushed on.  At the end, I added a sawtooth hook and in the end, got the exact look I was hoping for over the frame.


What You'll Need: (1 each)
  • Unfinished Wood Frame ($3.58 at Wal-Mart)
  • Acrylic Paint ($0.58 cents at Wal-Mart)
  • Bristle Paint Brush($1.00 at Wal-Mart)
  • Sponge Brush (I believe these are less than a dollar at Wal-mart)
  • Scissors
  • Disposible Cup
  • Sand paper (Medium Grate)($?)
  • Newspaper 

  
  1. Unfortunately for me, today was trash day, so all of my junk mail and news papers were disposed of, but please line your workspace area! I used a paper plate to rest my frame over before I began painting.
2.  Next, depending on what size frame you have, add a sufficient amount of paint into your disposable cup (I cut down a plastic cup to make it smaller, to use as my container). I used maybe about a tablespoon about of paint into the cup with less than one tablespoon of water. **Paint ratio should be higher than Water


3.  Wiping the excess paint from the bristles on the the sides of the cup. i did i light wash of creme on the frame.

3.a  I let it dry and did a 2nd light coat, once more wiping excess off the brush.



4.   Once that was completely dry, I used the sand paper to make VERY INCONSISTENT scratches across the frame going in the direction of the wood. A scratch here, a scratch there; i just wanted to be able to see the wood some what. (As you can see, i decided to line my workspace with paper. Splatter droplets are nearly unavoidable)


5.   I watered down the blue paint the same as I did with the creme paint. I used the bristle brush to apply one very light coat of paint.  Then i used the DRY sponge brush to wipe off excess paint that was left "pooling" in the bends. I also used the sponge to wipe off some of the blue on certain spots so the creme would show through.


6.  Let it dry and use the sand paper to gently scratch up the frame again. make sure you get a light variety of scratches (inner frame, edges and corners, ridges, etc.)



 **The frame didn't have a hook so i added the sawtooth hook that where hammer ins. No nails necessary. I do, however recommend hammering the edges on the hook, not the middle. That's how i dented mine. It folded like a V shape and i had to use a new one. I guess I don't know my own strength. AND FYI, I also gave the back one coat of the  blue just to cover the droplets.


I added the picture in and VOILA! behold your beach washed frame!