DIY Spray Painting Old Window Frames Gold

If you have been looking for something to do with your old antique window frames, or just need some paint color ideas and inspiration, you’re in the right spot. That’s because these old windows have been painted – A LOT – by me! Haha! We all know the story of Goldilocks and the 3 Bears, but what about the window frames and the 5 paint color trials? Well, I am here to tell you that sometimes going through all of the trials, leads you to the winner (the gold) – literally. So, let’s get to it. DIY Spray Painting Old Window Frames Gold.

*To see more window frame makeover before and after pictures. just scroll to the end.

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DIY Spray Painting Old Window Frames Gold

Before we get started, I wanted to share with you the many trials these frames went through.

And my reason for this is:

To let you know that most of my projects never go “just as planned.”
I make tons of mistakes as I go along too 😉
To explain all of the different paint colors you’ll see during this post – lol!
You may like one of the “other colors” that I tried first, and may want to use it.

Ok, just wanted to be honest and keep things real here. So, let’s get to it.

Background Story and Trial Colors:

I bought these 2 old window frames in Round Top awhile ago (April 2018), and just didn’t know exactly what I was going to do with them.

So of course, I went through the “trying on some colors” stage – to see if anything would grab my attention or spark some kind of inspiration for the frames.

Short answer – Nope.

Trial Color #1: Charcoal Blue

First, I painted them with some leftover charcoal blue paint, and they looked too purple.

Trial Color #2: Whitewash over Charcoal Blue

So next I decided to whitewash them, and they looked too much like the original white.

Trial Color #3: Black

Then I painted them black, and they looked too farmhouse!!
(This may be perfect for you modern farmhouse lovers out there).

Can you see the craziness here – LOL!!

Trial Color #4: Whitewash over Black

Yep – you guessed it – whitewash – A.G.A.I.N!!
At least I only applied it to the back side this go- around!

I know what you are all thinking? Why would she whitewash them a second time?

Some people just never learn.

And THEN…… they sat in my garage for 2 years!!!

Until now.

So, let’s get to the reason you are here: DIY Spray Painting Old Window Frames Gold!

DIY Spray Painting Old Window Frames Gold

Here are the the supplies that I used for spray painting the window frames gold.

Supplies:

(2) – Old Window Frames 28″x34″ – Round Top Antique Show
Thick Work gloves
Protective Eye Goggles
Pliers or Needle Nose Pliers
Screwdriver
Plastic Floor Covering
Old Wood Blocks
Rubber Mallet (or Hammer)
Rags/Paper Towel
Sandpaper – (150-grit)
(1-2 cans) – Metallic Gold Spray Paint
(1 pack) – D-Rings

This was a very budget-friendly makeover project = ~$30.

I spent $10 for each frame ($20), bought 2 cans of gold spray paint (~$10), and had the rest of the supplies on hand.

DIY Spray Painting Old Window Frames Gold

To clarify – you can spray paint using:

OPEN FRAMES (no glass in) – this post
or CLOSED FRAMES (glass in) – simply cover your glass panes

OPEN FRAMES

Step 1: Put Plastic Floor Covering Down & Remove Hardware

The first thing you will need to do is cover your floor with plastic and remove the hardware from each window pane (in order to be able to remove the glass).

Both of my old window frames have 6 panes each, but some of the glass was already missing.
That’s how I knew that my frames would be OPEN.

Below is a before picture of one of the window frames – missing one glass pane.

Remove Hardware:

Most likely, you will need to remove rusty nails and glazing points in order to get the glass out.

I recommend using the soft grip pliers or needle nose pliers to remove the nails and old glazing points.

This is the most time-consuming part of the whole project.
So just be patient 🙂

Pictured below is an old glazing point (or something like that).

These metal pieces held the glass in place. They are very sharp – so be careful!

Step 2: Remove Glass

Once the hardware has been taken out, it’s time to remove the glass panes.

*Note: PLEASE remember to be careful and wear protective eye goggles and gloves and for this part so that you don’t cut yourself!

This part is a little tricky. Some of my glass panes came right out, and some needed to be be broken.

I recommend trying to gently pry the glass out with a flat head screwdriver first to see if you can get them out.

If that doesn’t do the trick, then you may have to break the glass.

TIP: I used a rubber mallet wrapped with paper towels. You can also try a hammer wrapped with a rag.

Just gently tap your mallet in the center of the glass to break it.

At this stage, I set my window frames to the side.

Then I carefully rolled up the plastic (with all of the broken glass), and put it all into a box for recycling.

Step 3: Sand Window Frames & Clean

Now, it’s time to get your frames ready to be sanded and cleaned. (I do not have a picture of this part – sorry!

I did not spend a ton of time on sanding the frames down, because mine were already dinged up pretty good.
I sanded (with 150-grit sandpaper) just enough to soften the edges, so that the paint would look smoother.

Then I wiped the window frames down with damp rags.

Here pictured below, is what they looked like at this stage.

You can tell that the there is less of the chippy, white paint and more of the original wood color.

This is where all of the trial colors took place – lol.

So, fast forward and pretend that didn’t all happen!!

Step 4: Paint Window Frames With Gold Spray Paint

Now, it will be time to paint your frames GOLD. Finally!!

This is my favorite gold spray paint.

I feel that it looks more modern in color compared to some of the other choices.

Spread out your new plastic floor covering outside (if you haven’t already done so), and prop up your window frames onto some old wooden blocks or paint cans.

Just simply spray paint your window frames – using long sweeping strokes.

Make sure to get into all of the top and bottom portions of each pane.

I didn’t paint the back side of the windows, but I stood them up to make for sure that I covered any portion that I might see from the front side.

Now, spray paint the second frame and let both of the frames dry for 30 minutes.

Then, paint a second coat and let them dry for a couple of hours.

Step 5: Add Hardware & Hang

Once your frames are dry, turn them over so that you can add the hanging hardware to the back side.

***This is the time to figure out if you want to hang your window frames vertical or horizontal.

And since I didn’t know exactly what I was doing with my frames yet, I attached the hardware so that I could hang them both ways.

So, now you will measure where you want your d-ring to go, and use your screwdriver to insert it into your frame.

I like to use d-rings, but feel free to use your own hanging method of choice.

***NOTE: Just make sure that whatever nail or screw you use, that they are shorter than the frame depth, or they will go poke through the frame. 😉

I’m sure you already knew this, but hey – better safe than sorry!!