Java swing jbutton not editable after being added to frame, why?

[babadoctor]

btnCard1.add(btnCardLabel1);
btnCard2.add(btnCardLabel2);
btnCard3.add(btnCardLabel3);
btnCard4.add(btnCardLabel4);
btnCard5.add(btnCardLabel5);
btnCard6.add(btnCardLabel6);
//adds the image label to the card, images work fine nothing to see here

 

frame.getContentPane().add(btnCard1);
frame.getContentPane().add(btnCard2);
frame.getContentPane().add(btnCard3);
frame.getContentPane().add(btnCard4);
frame.getContentPane().add(btnCard5);
frame.getContentPane().add(btnCard6);

ADD BUTTONS WITH A JLABEL WHICH HAS AN IMAGE IN IT NAMED "girl.png" TO A JFRAME, RIGHT?

THEN LETS TRY TO EDIT THE BUTTONS AFTERWARDS AND WRITE IT TO FRAME!

frame.getContentPane().remove(btnCard1); //tried with this and with it removed, this just disables the button. pointless to include, but including it if someone suggests I add it
		ImageIcon btnCardIcon1 = new ImageIcon("white.jpg");
		JLabel btnCardLabel1 = new JLabel(btnCardIcon1);
		btnCard1.add(btnCardLabel1);
		frame.getContentPane().add(btnCard1);

DOESN'T WORK!!!

 

WHAT THE HECK IS GOING ON

 

(I can't declare these later, as the user has to actually see white buttons first, and then when they click the white buttons the real image shows up!)

 

Is java swing really incapable of such a thing as simple as clicking a button and having it change the damn properties of the button??

[Fetzie]

Add an action listener that changes the picture on the button when it gets clicked?

 

Dont have access to an ide right now (on my phone) but iirc that's how it works.

[babadoctor]

13 hours ago, Fetzie said:

Add an action listener that changes the picture on the button when it gets clicked?

 

Dont have access to an ide right now (on my phone) but iirc that's how it works.

I tried this!

https://hastebin.com/ijetebadew.java

Look! Look! I tried this! It doesn't matter what I do! It really should be that simple BUT IT DOESNT WORK!!!