Best Paint to Use on Your Picture Frames [2024 Review]

A great way to up-cycle older frames is to give them a chic new color. Finding the best paint to use on picture frames can seem like an overwhelming task because there are so many different brands and types to choose from. This guide will help you narrow down what you are looking for and what type of paint fits your design ideas.

Best Paint to Use on Picture Frames

Liquitex Basics 48 Tube Acrylic Set

If you are looking for professional artist quality paint for your next project then the Liquitex Basics 48 Tube Acrylic Paint Set is the one you want. Inside of this high quality paint set are 48 colors of acrylic paint in 22ml tubes, which converts to about .7 fluid ounces. The paint comes in an easy to carry along storage box that you can take with you.

This paint, unlike most basic acrylic paints has a thick and creamy consistency. This buttery like paint goes on thick and doesn’t show as many, if any streaks once applied to the surface while you are still on the first coat. The thicker based paint means that you will not need to use as many coats of paint to reach the desired color and opacity. It also reduces the need to use a primer on your darker frames before painting them lighter. 

Once dried, this paint gives off a nice satin finish. Unlike a basic matte finish, the satin finish gives you a little bit of a sheen while being more forgiving of imperfections or textured flaws on the painted surface. This paint, since it is thicker, is ideal for use in creating distressed finishes with two different colors contrasting each other. 

The paints come in an inspirational color pallet that is full of bright colors with good pigments. The pigment of a paint is the colored powder that is mixed into the base of the paint. The good pigment composition of this paint allows the colors to stay bright and not look washed out. Some of the included colors are Cadmium Yellow, Alizarin Crimson, Burnt Umber, Prism Violet, Ultramarine Blue, Titanium White and Ivory Black. 

You can easily mix any of the colors with different Liquitex brand paints to create a custom color on your picture frames or canvas paintings. With the creamy thick nature of this paint you can use water to thin out the colors as needed to achieve your desired thickness and finished texture. 

While this is a water soluble acrylic paint, it is not easy to clean up if you get it on hands, clothes or other surfaces. For this reason, this paint is not recommended to be used with younger kids or for hand and finger painting.

This paint is highly recommended for educational use with older kids and adults. The thick consistency paints are ideal for learning color theory as well as learning how to mix colors or dilute them. 

Craft Smart Acrylic 16 Piece Set

The Craft Smart Acrylic Paint Set is a great basic color collection that you can use for a variety of projects. Included in this box set are 16 colors that come in 2 fluid ounce bottles. While that may not sound like a lot, these smaller bottles are more than enough to paint a few frames the same or different colors.

For a fun effect you can try out an ombre picture frame set that will stretch the paint further due to mixing the colors. The colors are vibrant and blend well together, so that you aren’t just limited to the 16 basic colors that you receive. The manufacturer lists them as artist quality paints, so that you can feel confident buying a multi use for all of your projects.  

For more serious painters, this valuable paint set is great for not just picture frames but you can also use it for painting on a canvas, practicing calligraphy, doing small practical projects and even for use with making your own greeting cards. The only limitation you will face is running out of great DIY projects to try. 

These acrylic paints offer a matte finish, which is more of a flat paint finish, instead of one that offers a glossy sheen. You cannot add a glossy sheen to the top of this paint to create a shiny finish however you are able to mix matte and gloss paints to create a custom shine on your projects. 

For the best color results you will want to use two or three coats of paint. The first coat goes on light and is very see through, so plan to have multiple coats added. You could reduce the amount of coats needed by applying a paint primer on the picture frames before you begin painting with the color of your choice. Just make sure that you are allowing the paint to fully dry before you apply the next coat, this will reduce chipping. 

This water based paint is non-toxic, which makes it a great choice for projects with little ones. It is suitable for kids that are ages 3 and up. You can get them using a paintbrush or even try it out for handprint or finger painting. Since it is water-based, this paint is easily washable from skin and other surfaces. Another plus is that it is a fast drying paint, so you won’t have to wait too long before being able to use your picture frames. 

Apple Barrel Acrylic 12 Piece Set 

High on quality, the Apple Barrel Acrylic 12 Piece Paint Set is a must have on hand for your next painting project. It’s not just great for your picture frames but it can also be used on a wide variety of surfaces. Included with the set are 18 bright colored paints in 2 fluid ounce bottles.

This paint is great for wooden surfaces, styrofoam pieces, plaster, terra cotta pots, tin and is the preferred brand for painting rocks. This is due to the paints bright colors, easy adhering, quick drying properties and the durable finish after it has fully dried. 

While the colors are bright, the first coat will go on a little streaky, which means that you will need to use more than one coat. For painting surfaces that are darker with a lighter color, you will want to use a primer so that you can use less coats of paint to create the brightness you are seeking. The Apple Barrel paint formula keeps the colors bright while making sure that the paint doesn’t fade after a period of time, this lets you cherish your projects without having to worry about touch-ups. 

As an acrylic based paint the Apple Barrel brand doesn’t just dry quickly, but this is also a water based paint that is non-toxic. Cleanup is easy once you add some soap and water, which makes this an ideal set for allowing little helpers get in on the painting action. It is great for use with paint brushes, stamps, stencilling and with sponges to give a textured finish. 

With bright colors like Flag Red, Bright Blue, Melted Chocolate, Purple Iris, Holly Branch, Yellow Flame and Bright Magenta this paint set will inspire you by just reading the names. The paint dries into a soft matte finish which is a flat paint that doesn’t have any gloss or sheen properties. 

You can also use this paint on canvases for dabbling in painting or for professional quality artist rendered pictures. This set is also perfect to bring along for local paint nights or simple family diy projects. For more variety, Apple Barrel also offers a pastel paint color set for those softer toned or spring flower projects. 

​Water Based Paint vs Oil Based Paint

Water and oil based paints each have their merits. However, when it comes to the specific task of working with frames, there is a clear winner.

Water based paint is optimal because it is easiest to work with and clean up after. Instead of oil based paint which will take longer to dry and requires paint thinner or turpentine to clean up afterwards.

While oil based paint is the more durable of the two, water based paint is the clear winner when it comes t​o painting picture frames.

How to Pick Water Based Paint

When it comes to choosing a water based paint, there are a few different types that you can select from that will give you different finishes. As you learn how to paint a picture frame, you’ll learn more about which type of paint you want.

​Latex

​This paint is the most basic of the water based paint varieties. It is very easy to work with and and has a faster drying time than most paints.

Latex paint also comes in a wide variety of color and finishes. This makes it a broad option when it comes to finding the best paint for picture frames. To help narrow down your options, figure out what type of finish would better suit your picture frames.

If you’re going to be using a paint sprayer, latex paint is typically the easiest to use (and safest for your sprayer).

​Flat

​This is the only finish that is latex paint only. A flat finish will give you a basic paint look that does not have any sheen or gloss that reflects on the surface once the paint dries. Flat finishes don’t clean well and is not suited for areas that will draw moisture like bathrooms tiles and kitchens counters.

​Eggshell

​The next step up is an eggshell finish. It is great for decorative painted pieces like picture frames and your DIY farmhouse tables due to it’s low luster finish. It also will clean up a little better than the flat finish.

Sa​tin Finish

The sheen on a satin finish provides a nice luster however, it is not as bright as a gloss paint. Satin is the most popular overall finish because it cleans easily and works well on wood surfaces.

​Semi-gloss

The semi-gloss offers a subtle shine finish on your painted frames, so that they will stand out a little more without being too over the top. Most individuals would use semi-gloss paint on molding, doors, window seals, even decorative jars and it is safe for higher moisture areas like the bathroom.

High-gloss

The toughest finish out there, high-gloss finish is stain resistant and able to be scrubbed down. This paint is perfect for surfaces that will get daily wear and tear.

When it comes to choosing a latex finish for picture frames, you can really choose what finish look will capture what you have in mind. For a frame that sits on a table or a mirror that hangs on a wall, you really don’t need to worry with the durability or how easy it is to clean since these surfaces will not come into contact with a lot of wear and tear.

The only con with latex paint is that it isn’t as durable as oil based paint. Also, due to it’s water content, late paint can raise the grain on raw, unsealed wood frames and surfaces.

However, when you are looking for the best paint to use on picture frames, then water based paints like latex are perfect for your DIY project.

​Milk Paint

This water based paint is well known for being nontoxic and having the ability to crack, flake and give an overall distressed finish without needing to put in much effort.

It is called milk paint due to the fact that there is sometimes curdled milk that is used as one of the base ingredients. It also uses casein, which is a common protein found in milk, as an active ingredient.

When buying milk paint, it does not come in the normal liquid form. Instead you will purchase it in a powdered form which is mainly comprised of casein and lime. When you are ready to paint you will add 1 part water to 1 part of the powdered form.

This is also helpful to make sure that you are not wasting paint. Since you can choose to mix as much or as little as needed for the project. It is also really easy to mix so that if you don’t have enough, you can measure out and mix more as you are working.

Distressing

The original magic of milk paint is in the organic properties of it. This paint is the perfect pairing for unsealed wood surfaces.

When milk paint is put onto an unsealed wood surface, the organic chemistry of milk paint allows it to not only stick, but it will also be soaked into the surface. This after completely drying will create an uneven and a much more durable overall finish.

When you put milk paint on an already sealed surface it tends to have the opposite effect. Instead of creating a soaking in seal, it will not grip and adhere well at all. This can create chips and flakes in the finished design, which is great if that is the level of distressing that you are aiming for.

If you would like it to have a little more of a solid adhering to your sealed surface then you will want to use a bonding agent. This agent will be mixed into the first coat of milk paint that you put down and helps give it a better overall adhering property.

This step reduces the size and amount of chipping that the milk paint will give. Even with a bonding agent added, when you sand the milk paint, distressing, chipping and flaking will occur as you agitate the surface.

​Pairing with Other Paints

Since milk paint is mainly used for a distressed look, you will want to pair it with a second paint. You can use it with another milk paint or you can use milk paint over wood stain.

If you want to pair it over a sealed or stained wood surface then make sure that you are using a protecting top coat over the wood stain before you apply the milk paint. This extra step will keep you from sanding off the wood stain when you are distressing.

However, even with a few top coats applied there is still a chance that you might accidentally sand down into the stain and show the original wood color. If this happens you can easily apply more of the paint stain to that area and then wipe it off with a cloth or paper towel.

​Chalk Paint

Not to be confused with the old black chalkboards of my schooldays, chalk paint is a colorful way to spruce up your picture frames and other surfaces without having to worry about before prep.

Once of the biggest perks that people talk about with this paint is that you do not need to sand or prime the surface before you begin to paint. Just give your picture frames a wipe down with a damp cloth to remove any dirt or dust.

Chalk paint will go on light and if you are coloring something from darker to lighter then you will need to about 3-4 coats in order to have a solid color that will cover the frame.

If you would rather have a more faded color or distressed look then you can opt to stop after 2 coats of paint. Each coat will need a few hours to completely dry before you add another coat. This allows you to pause and see how the paint is adhering so that you can decide what the best look is for your picture frame project.

​Sealing Chalk Paint

While there is limited to no prep work needed when you are using chalk paint, there is a final step that you will need to do in order to seal the chalk paint. To seal your newly painted frames, you will need to use a chalk paint wax.

Use a small amount on a rag or paper towel and rub it all around the painted frame. Let it sit for a minute and then buff it off. Repeat this step (no need to wait) to apply a second coat of wax.

The wax will not only seal it, but it will also provide your chalk painted picture frames with a nice sheen finish. Chalk paint without a seal will give you a very flat and matte finish. Since your frames will not be affected by the elements, you can opt to skip sealing them to keep the matte finish.

​Paint Features to Consider

​Now that you know more about what the best types of water based paint to use on picture frames is, you can learn more about what features these paints offer.

​Clean Up

​One of the top reasons to choose water based paint versus oil based paint, ​whether you’re painting a room, or painting a picture frame, water base paint can clean up in just minutes. This is because the paint already has a percentage of water mixed in.

When it is time to clean up, you can simply run water over the brushes or rollers to remove all of the paint. It make take a few minutes under a running faucet for the water to run clean, but as long as the paint is still wet on the brush, then it will all come off.

Oil based paint cannot be simply cleaned with running water. You will need to use a paint thinner or mineral spirits to soak and swish the brush around in a container until the paint has all loosened.

​Distressing

​While you can add some distressing details with a latex based paint, there are a few better brands of water based paint that were made to give you a great base for distressed looking pieces.

Milk paint is one of the best choices due to its ability to flake, crack and soak into raw wood surfaces. Chalk paint is also great for a distressed look due to its super flat matte finish and ability to look worn when applying less coats of paint.

​Quality

​Water based paint is a top choice for infrequently used furnishings​, but isn’t necessarily the best choice for your glossy tub. This is because you don’t need the extreme durability of an oil based paint.

While you do want a good quality product, when it comes to items like picture frames that will not be handled or come into contact with moisture, then you have more flexibility to choose a type and finish that you like without having to worry how it will hold up.

Variety of Color

​Thankfully each type of paint comes in many different brands. While the paint and finish may be the same, each brand has created their own colors.

When it comes to the brand name what you should mainly be focused on is the variety of colors that each offers so that you can find the perfect shade for your picture frames.

​Affordability

​Latex paint is one of the most affordable paints on the market. It runs on average about 40% less than its oil-based counterpart.

Chalk paint is a little more due to it being a special paint. Milk Paint comes in powdered form which helps keep it lower and allows you to ration out what you need for each of your wood projects.

​Conclusion

When it comes down to it, latex paint is the best for your overall project. You can distress latex paint by wiping it after applying. You can also choose a variety of finishes to give your frames a pop or contrast of color.

If you are unhappy with the color or turnout then you don’t have to worry about shelling out a lot more to find a better color or a second color for your picture frames.

Choosing the best paint for picture frames can seem like a lot of small choices that will lead to you finding your perfect paint. However, when all else fails, you really can’t go wrong by just finding your perfect color and trying it out.