Sandpaper roughs up glossy frames for better paint coverage.
Floater frames offer a modern take on a traditional picture frame, accenting any contemporary decor. As these frames hold pictures between two transparent pieces of glass, different-sized photos fit within the same frame. Floaters are a "one size fits all" framing solution. If you have a floater frame that needs new color or a fresh coat of existing color, the painting process requires minimal preparation and just a few hours of time.
Instructions
1. Open up the floater frame's back. The frame's back casing usually is held in with removable clasps or screws.
2. Take out both pieces of glass.
3. Remove any glossy finishes from the frame. Gloss is removable from plastic or wood frames with 220-grit sandpaper. For a metal frame, apply a liquid deglosser and wipe it off with a rag.
4. Wipe off leftover sandpaper dust with a damp rag.
5. Prime wood surfaces with a general-purpose primer, prime metal with a rust-inhibitive primer, and use a bonding primer for plastics. If you are painting the frame a very dark color, use a tinted primer. Allow the primer to dry.
6. Paint the floater frame using latex paint and a foam brush. You can paint the frame with any sheen, but a semi-gloss or high-gloss finish is more typical of modern floater frames.
7. Apply another coat of paint if you notice bare spots after the base coat dries.
