My daughter wanted to do a Texas A&M (TAMU) themed gallery wall for her college dorm, but we couldn’t find anything already made. Oh, and the frames needed to be oversized to fill up an entire wall – no pressure Mom! So she chose the TAMU prints, I picked out the frames, and then the real DIY work began! Which also led to the plexiglass OOPS moment and tip/hack! So, let’s get to it! DIY Gallery Wall: Spray Painting Frames Gold.
***NOTE*** This post contains affiliate links which means that I will receive a small compensation if you purchase from those links at no cost to you. Thanks so much for your support 🙂
DIY Gallery Wall: Spray Painting Frames Gold
So this post doesn’t get too confusing, I thought I should explain.
- We actually ended up with 10 total gold-framed prints.
- But feel free to tweak sizes, print choices, etc…. to fit your needs!
This post will be divided into 2 gallery wall options:
- Gold Frame Gallery Wall – with 6 prints (has spray painted frames)
- Gold Frame Gallery Wall – with 4 prints (not spray painted frames – already gold)
Ok, let’s get to it! DIY Gallery Wall: Spray Painting Frames Gold.
DIY Gallery Wall: Spray Painting Frames Gold
Supplies:
Set of 6 Gold Frames:
- (2) 18 x 24 FRAMES (will spray paint)
- (2) 16 x 20 FRAMES (will spray paint)
- (2) 11 x 14 Gold FRAMES
- (1) Can Gold Spray Paint
- (2) 18 x 24 Prints
- (2) 16 x 20 Prints
- (2) 11 x 14 Prints
- *Oops Plexiglass 24 x 36
Set of 4 Gold Frames:
- (4) 8 x10 Gold FRAMES
- (4) 8 x 10 Prints
NOTE:
- The smaller 11×14 and 8×10 frames came as a set of 5 – but they were still the best price – so that’s why I chose them.
- I also wanted light frames with plexiglass because they were meant for a dorm room. And they would be safe if they (accidentally – LOL!) fell off of the wall.
DIY Gallery Wall: Spray Painting Frames Gold
Total Cost of 10 Gold Frames Project
The total cost for both sets (6 frames/prints + 4 frames/prints) = ~$225.00.
- I wanted to share the total cost and the cost breakdown – so that you could shop around for prices if you need to.
- This cost breakdown will give you something to compare prices with – for printing places or frames.
Cost Breakdown:
Set of 6 Gold Frames:
Etsy (Texas A&M) Poster Prints Download = $15.00 (+ tax/shipping) = $16.24
Prints:
- 18 x 24 Office Depot Prints = $11.99 x2 = $23.98 (+ tax) = $25.96
- 16 x 20 Walgreens Prints $18.99 x2 = $37.98 (+ tax) = $41.11
- 11 x 14 Walgreens Prints $11.99 x2 = $23.98 (+ tax) = $25.96
Frames:
- 18 x 24 Frames $12.88 x2 = $25.76 (+ tax) = $27.89
- 16 x 20 Frames $9.88 x2 = $19.76 (+ tax) = $21.39
- 11 x 14 Gold Frame (set of 5) = $27.99 (+ tax) = $30.30
Gold Spray Paint = $6.98 (+ tax) = $7.56
*Oops Plexiglass 24 x 36 – $3.99 (+ tax) = $4.32
Set of 4 Gold Frames:
8 x 10 Gold Frames (set of 5) = $20.99 (+ tax) = $22.72
8 x 10 Walgreens Prints $3.99 x4 = $15.96 (+ tax) = $17.28
So, where can you get your digital downloads printed?
Printing Places:
- Walgreens
- Office Depot/Office Max
- Walmart
- Staples
- Shutterfly
- Zazzle
- Vistaprint
Ok, let’s get to the actual project! DIY Gallery Wall: Spray Painting Frames Gold.
Spray Painting Frames Gold
Step #1: Gather All Supplies
The first thing you will want to do is:
- purchase your TAMU Etsy print downloads (or other prints you choose)
- then decide which print will go into what frame size (this takes some planning- see below)
- order/purchase all of your prints (in the different sizes)
- purchase all of your frames last
TIP: The reason you will want to get those prints ordered – is because you might end up needing different frame sizes.
- We had originally planned for different sizes (for prints & frames), but some places only print SPECIFIC sizes.
- And the larger prints get very expensive – so that might change your (frame) plan also.
Here is our planning sheet with frame placement on the wall, frame sizes, and print background colors.
- And then with the changes made – lol!
Step #2: Prep All Supplies
Here are the 4 frames that you will be spray painting:
- 2 – 16×20
- 2 – 18×24
- The 11×14 and 8×10 frames are already gold – thank goodness!
Remove all of the paper and cardboard backing components.
I used a knife to get those metal prongs lifted.
Ok – so here is when my oops moment occurred – therefore my NEW tip/recommendation part.
- Most glass can be removed from frames, and then you can just simply spray paint them.
- But these frames have plexiglass, and could not be removed.
So I used my technique for spray painting mirror frames, where the mirror could not be removed.
- I usually lie copy paper down into the top of my frames that I am spray painting, then simply tape up the center areas to keep them together. (Like the picture below).
- But I don’t tape the area where the frame meets the glass/mirror first (because I’m lazy).
- And then I just clean any paint residue off of the mirror with cotton balls or Q-tips.
But….. keep reading.
But for some reason (maybe because this is plexiglass and not real glass/or a mirror), paint got all over the plexiglass and not just the corners.
TIP: So I would recommend – taping the part where the frame meets the plexiglass first – then add your copy paper (or other covering).
***Keep reading and I will show you how to FIX this issue, and how I discovered a new Hack!
Step #3: Spray Paint 4 Frames
Once you’ve taped down your frames, it’s time to spray paint them gold.
- I like to use plastic, and then hold it down with paint cans.
- Then I use leftover wooden blocks to lift the frames off of the plastic.
This is my favorite gold spray paint right now!
I love the color + it matches the smaller gold frames that I won’t be painting. 😉
Now begin to spray paint each frame.
Make sure to get all of the outside areas and corners also.
And don’t forget about those inside corners and areas also.
This is a good picture to show you where I SHOULD have taped it first – but I just had to be lazy! LOL!
Step #OOPS: Plexiglass Tip/Hack
I don’t know if hack is the right word here, but at least it’s a good tip! 😉
So I already told you that I had an oops moment, and that the gold spray paint got all over the plexiglass.
Here is what it looked like.
And I was able to SAVE the plexiglass in both of the 16×20 frames – by cleaning it with mineral spirits and a rag.
If this does happen, you can try to clean it first.
But I was NOT able to save the plexiglass in either of the 18×24 frames – ugh!!
- After a BIG cry, I decided to put on my BIG girl panties, and find another solution.
So I went on a hunt for “cheap” plexiglass/acrylic, and this is how I stumbled upon this plexiglass hack!
***HOBBY LOBBY SELLS CHEAP PLEXIGLASS***
Hobby Lobby Plexiglass:
- 8×10 – $1.49
- 11×14 – $2.49
- 16×20 – $1.99
- 24×36 – $3.99
Since my frames were 18×24, I knew I could buy one sheet (24×36) and simply cut it into 2 pieces – VICTORY!!
So, what is the big deal about this?
It means you can buy CHEAP frames with no glass (or broken glass), and not have to get anything expensive cut for you – woohoo!
- Think frames from Good Will & Garage Sales!
Simply:
- Measure the middle and mark with tape
- Cut with box cutter (or even scissors)
- Snap/break on hard surface
- Peel off plastic backing
Step #5: Put Prints in Frames & Hang
Now that you’re done with the spray painting it’s time to put the prints into your frames.
Just pull back the plastic backing from the plexiglass in all of the frames, add your prints, and close up the back of the frames.
Individual Group Closeups.
Here are the 2 – 11×14 frames.
And the 2- 16×20 frames and the 2 – 18×24 frames.
Here are the 4 – 8×10 frames.
And Hang!
My daughter wanted to do the 6 larger frames in their dorm living room, and then put the other 4 smaller frames wherever they needed a space filler.
- (That is why we ended up having 2 sets).
FYI: Our dorm did allow us to use small nails – so double check your dorm rooms if they only allow command strips.
Here she is with 2 of her 3 roommates on move-in day!
But you’ll notice they ended up choosing to hang the smaller ones on the adjacent wall!
- And they really love how the Aggie prints all turned out!
Well, and me too of course!!
Hope you found some inspiration, helpful tips and ideas to make your own DIY gold frame gallery wall!
Have a Great School Year!!
Love & Hugs 🙂
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