To make a distressed wood frame, You are going to apply a single coat of paint and then distress it using sand paper.
Here is an overview of the steps to making a distressed wood frame.
- Buy or build your frame.
- Stain Wood (optional)
- Paint a layer of paint.
- Do a light sanding all over your frame.
- Use folded over sand paper to create scratches.
If you are making your frame from scratch like I did, then I would recommend checking out this post. It details how to build a wood frame. If you want to make a frame to hold a photo check out this post I wrote.
Tools And Supplies
Supplies For Distressing A Wood Frame
- Paint
- Paint Brush
- Hand Sander (optional)
- 220 Grit Sandpaper (or lower)
- 320 Grit Sandpaper (optional smooth finish)
Supplies For Building A Wood Frame
Building A Wood Frame Instructions
For more detail in building a frame, then I would recommend checking out this post.
Step 1- Cut Your Pieces At 45 Degree angles
![](https://frugalfitzdesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/5.jpg)
By stacking your pieces you can make sure that they come out the same size without measuring every time.
Step 2- Light Sanding
![](https://frugalfitzdesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/8.jpg)
Give your pieces a light sanding then wipe the off to get rid of any extra dust.
Step 3- Apply Stain (optional)
![](https://frugalfitzdesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/9.jpg)
Apply your stain then wipe off any excess and let dry.
Step 4- Gluing Together A Wood Frame
![](https://frugalfitzdesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/11.jpg)
Place a strip of wood glue in all four corners of your frame.
![](https://frugalfitzdesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/12.jpg)
Tighten you band clamp until it is firm closed. Use a rag to wipe away any glue that seeps out of your corners. let the glue set before removing the clamp.
Step 5- Adding Staples
![](https://frugalfitzdesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/14.jpg)
Adding staples to the back corners of your wood frame will add rigidity.
Distressing Frame Instructions
Step 1- Paint
Paint a light coat on all sides of your frame. I used Behr white paint, the same you would use to paint your house with.
![](https://frugalfitzdesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/1-website.jpg)
I recommend to paint in long strokes, with the grain of the wood.
![](https://frugalfitzdesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2-site.jpg)
Step 2- Sanding
Once paint is dry, you can start sanding.
You can use your hand sander at this point and start sanding around you frame, but don’t sand down to much.
![](https://frugalfitzdesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/3-site.jpg)
To add more texture and accents you can tilt you hand sander.
![](https://frugalfitzdesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/4-site.jpg)
My favorite method is to fold you sand paper over forming a small contact point. It give great control on where you are adding details. I will also scratch at the frame with my sandpaper folded over like this.
![](https://frugalfitzdesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/5-site.jpg)
Make sure to sand with longer strokes, with the grain.
Step 3- Smooth Finish (Optional)
For a Smooth finish, that feel like it has been handled handled a lot, Use 320 Grit sand paper all over the frame.
![](https://frugalfitzdesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/8-2.jpg)
Decorate Or Use On Your Next Project
If you were doing this on a frame that you already had, then decorate! I am making this frame for a project that I am working on that I will be posting very soon.
![](https://frugalfitzdesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/6-3.jpg)