frames - restoring old picture frames

©  JANE MINTER 2013

" dark to light "
restoring old timber frames

old timber frames +  sand paper 

I was kindly given a assortment of different types and sizes of old frames by a friend and artist . In the last couple of weeks I have started to restore and make good the old frames so I have a selection of frames to choose from  in the future to utilize for display purposes .

As most of the paintings I sell are unframed  it's also a very good opportunity to take time to enjoy  mounting  and framing some of my paintings  .

All of the old dark frames were badly scratched so I decided to see if I could take them back to the natural timber . To remove the dark staining from the old frames I used paint/vanish remover and then sanded them down with fine sand paper ...time consuming but rewarding.  . I've yet to decide the finish ....to leave them as they are  , treat them with a wax , vanish them or paint them . A couple of them I will re-stain to the original dark as I have a few small paintings that will look good with a darker frame . 

©  JANE MINTER 2013

" white frames" 
making good  +  repainted timber frames 

I made good some simple timber handmade frames by just cleaning , sanding and repainting them. 

The rest of the old frames were painted with multiple layers with a wonderful  variety of colours blue,  pink and white ,  and gold so it took longer to  sand  them down and repaint them . You have to be patience and very gentle when sanding  to be careful not to damage or reshape the frames .  As each frame is different with various sections and moulds to create uniformity I decided to paint them a neutral colour . I used an acrylic white paint with  a satin finish  .  I choose to handpaint them with  a fine flat acrylic / oil brush .  An alternative would have been to air brush them which would have given an excellent finish . 

Most of the frames were in reasonable condition but a few still need fixing at the corners before I start restoring them . 

  It would be good to hear if any one else refurbishes and utilizes old frames .

©  JANE MINTER 2013

" white frames"