Transform Old Frames with Rub 'n Buff

How to Use Rub 'n Buff on Frames for a Zero Dollar Dining Room Makeover

Learn how I gave old frames a glam makeover using Rub 'n Buff, black paint, and wax—for zero dollars! Includes step-by-step tips and vintage art ideas.

Who loves a zero-dollar makeover? I know I sure do! Today I can't wait to show you how a little paint, some Rub 'n Buff, and a dab of antiquing wax transformed a small dining room wall into something fun and full of character. You know me—I had to do a bit of experimenting to see just how far I could stretch a dollar, and I like to think I rose to the occasion.

This whole idea came out of left field while we were having some work done on our home. Remember that long list of unexpected repairs I shared last week? Well, when I get stressed, I decorate, upcycle, or color. This time, I turned my attention to the small wall between two dining room windows and asked myself, What can I do without spending a dime?

Meet My Muse: Bentley the Beagle-Shepherd

The inspiration? Our sweet Bentley. Since you never see German Shepherd-Beagles represented in home decor (shocking, right?), I decided it was time to change that. I remembered I had saved some vintage advertisements featuring Beagles and began rummaging through my files. I’ll be including downloads below in case you'd like to bring a few ornery Beagles into your home too.

From Ugly with a Capital "U" to Unique & Moody

I started with a matching set of frames I bought during the COVID era online. When they arrived? Yuck. Definitely not something I’d hang in my home. So into the attic they went. But in the spirit of this zero-dollar challenge, I pulled them down, dusted them off, and gave them a much-needed makeover.

I tend to lean into moody decor, though it rarely shows in our home since it's already quite dark. But this time, I went all in with bold accessories, dark tones, and a little shine. The result? Unique, layered, and totally unexpected.

Project I: How to Use Rub 'n Buff on Picture Frames

Materials:

• Old or thrifted frame

• Black chalk paint

• Grecian Gold Rub 'n Buff

• Waverly Antiquing Wax

• Chip brush

• Small detail brush

• Paper towel or rag

Instructions:

1. Paint the frame with black chalk paint. I used two coats and let them dry completely.

2. Using a small detail brush, I applied Grecian Gold Rub 'n Buff into the details of the frame. Mine had little slits and cuts, and the gold nestled into them beautifully.

3. I used my finger to rub the Rub 'n Buff along the edges, sides, and inside lip of the frame. This added extra dimension.

4. With a paper towel, I applied Waverly Antiquing Wax around the frame and over the gold. This toned down the shine and gave it a smooth, aged finish.

5. I popped in one of my vintage Beagle prints, and just like that, the frame was ready for its moment.

Don't Forget to Pin for Later!

Rub 'n Buff on black frames really pops, don’t you think? The before photo just wasn’t doing it for me—I’m not even sure why I bought the frames in the first place. But now? They’re different. I wasn’t sure about the brass accent look at first, but it’s slowly growing on me. And if I change my mind? That’s the beauty of DIY. I can always paint over it.

Idea II - How to Use Rub n Buff for Easy Updates with Pictures

Now here’s where things took a turn I didn’t expect.

I printed the vintage ads on regular printer paper. If I had slowed down, I would’ve used card stock for a more polished look, but my finger got ahead of my brain and hit print. (Story of my life.)

Since the image didn’t take up the full 8x10 space, I was left with a white border. Fine if that’s your look, but I wanted something more elevated. So I tried something wild: I rubbed Rub 'n Buff directly onto the paper.

First, I dampened a small brush and dipped it into the Rub 'n Buff. But oil and water don’t mix, so that didn’t work. Instead, I used my finger to warm up the Rub 'n Buff and rubbed it around the edge of the image. Voilà—a DIY gold mat that looked like it was made for framing.

I could have made these "mats" perfect, but I was going for the perfectly imperfect look you have come to know me for. There are times for perfection, and times to let go, and I needed an escape, so perfection flew out the window on this project. 

I wasn't aiming for perfection, I rather liked the second mat better than the first since it looks a bit messy

Talk about an economical way to create wall art! I even pulled over the Dollar Tree mirror I made from another wall to see how it worked with the new look, and it all started coming together.

Styling the Space with Found Treasures

I left the “luggage rack” (which is actually a dressing table stool that came with the house, and was replaced with this chair) in place and added a vintage toy chest I normally use during the holidays. It’s a bit big, but until I find a better spot, it’s staying put.

To finish things off, I styled the chest with a large finial, a vintage wood trim piece, and a smaller finial. It’s not grand or over-the-top, but for an afternoon of creative “doodling,” I’ll take it.

Photographing this wall is difficult with the large bench and table in the middle of the room

A Note About the Beagle Prints

I’m a fan of vintage advertising and stumbled upon these Players Cigarettes Beagle ads while browsing the Library of Congress website. The prints are free to download, and there’s a treasure trove of material if you enjoy vintage ephemera like I do. I’ve included the ones I used below.

I really liked the messy vibe on this picture 

Funny thing: when I printed the Beagle images, the brown fur printed more red than brown, even though the ink was full. To fix it, I used a small detail brush and lightly brushed antiquing wax over the pups. Not only did it solve the color issue, it gave the prints a hand-painted look. Total accident, happy result.

Why DIY Makes Sense Right Now

We’ve talked about it before—everything is so darn expensive lately. That’s why I love sharing budget-friendly ways to curate a home that reflects your personality. Frugality doesn’t have to mean boring or bare. Sometimes, it just means getting a little creative with what you already have.

There are times I don’t even think about what I’m doing—I just try something. Rubbing Rub 'n Buff on paper was one of those moments. Before I realized what I had done, it was already on there. But hey, if you don’t try new things, you’ll never know what works.

I hope this inspires you to take a second look at what’s lying around your home. Maybe you’ve got some dusty old frames just waiting for their glow-up, or some art you can elevate with a touch of gold.

What’s Next?

This little Beagle wall may just be the beginning. I can feel another dining room shift coming, depending on what I can finish this week. It's a full one, so we’ll see.

And as always, if you try this, I’d love to see your results. Feel free to tag me or share your own zero-dollar makeovers. I love hearing from fellow frugal creatives.

Until next time, keep creating, keep experimenting, and remember: the best makeovers don’t always cost a thing.

Ciao,

Cara