Distressing a gold gilt frame

[hampshireman]

I had this one made at a framers and now wish to reuse it on an unsuitably non gilt type of pictures. I would like to distress it or takes a lot of the gold gilt off.
Any simple cheap and non handyman solutions out there please?

[An Old Master]

Depends how far you want to go with the de-gilding, if you want to just dull it down, then a wash and wipe with a diluted water based paint would work. The other end of the spectrum would be a complete re-finish, which will work well if you use the right paint.

[hampshireman]

Thanks, I would like to discolour and make it mottled as such.

[An Old Master]

In that case, take some Everest Antique Brown frame finishing paint and diute it about 25% with water. Brush the mixture liberally all over the frame. Whist stil wet, take a large damp natural sponge and dab the frame all over, creating the mottle. When you have the desired degree of mottling, leave and allow to dry. You can then wax with Neutral Liberon wax if you want, but I think the dried unwaxed result is better. The intensity of the mottle is controlled by the strength or weakness of the paint dilution.