Staining picture frames

There are four easy steps to stain unfinished wood picture frame mouldings:

• Assemble the frame.

• Sand the frame with 220 grit sandpaper to produce a smooth, quality finish.

• Use a tack cloth to remove any fine sawdust on the frame.

• Brush the stain onto the wood with a 1” foam brush evenly with the grain. Foam brushes are best as they don’t leave brush marks. 

Oil-based stains are easy to apply, provide a deep saturation, and can be made lighter or darker by wiping away any excess after application. The sooner you wipe away the excess, the lighter the shade will be. The more coats you apply, the darker the color will be.

When you are satisfied with shade, let the stain dry for 24 hours before applying and letting it dry again. Allow 24 hours. Then apply the stain again in the same manner and let it dry again. 

We recommend using General Finishes Oil Based Gel Stain, which is available in 14 colors.

Using spray paint to stain picture frames

Spray painting is another way to paint your frame. It is faster in both application and dry time (as little as 20 minutes) but covers the wood in an opaque coat that conceals the natural grain. 

This can benefit those using Poplar, which can vary in color and display patches of green, brown, or purple along its length that may not match up when cut into four sections. More on using Poplar raw or unpainted here.

If you choose to use spray paint, we recommend Rust-Oleum American Accents Ultra Color.

Here’s another helpful article on staining: Wood Staining Guide for Beginners

See our full selection of unfinished hardwood picture frames
See our full selection of unfinished wood picture frame mouldings