One of many least expensive and best methods to replace small areas like a rest room is with paint. You may paint the partitions, positive, however why not paint mirror frames, fixtures, lights, towel holders, wall decor, and even doorknobs? These mirror portray concepts will make it easier to refresh your room with out breaking your finances.
What’s “in” can change fairly shortly – a lot faster than your lights, doorknobs, or mirror frames break or cease working. Slightly than losing cash on shopping for new and determining methods to change them out, you’ll be able to simply replace what you have already got with out breaking the financial institution.
Our lavatory wanted a refresh however simply wasn’t within the finances, since we’re specializing in the kitchen. So as a substitute, we selected to go after some small and easy wins by selecting to resume items fairly than substitute them.
One of many items we centered on renewing was our massive mirror over the sink. My husband hated the silver, heavy end, and candidly, it was fairly dated and darkish. Since there’s no massive home windows within the lavatory, conserving all the pieces mild and breezy was essential. And because it’s a drugs cupboard, we couldn’t select to take away the body to make it a frameless mirror. So I got here up with a reasonably good various.
So with a few hours to kill and $20 burning a gap in my pocket, I set off to color the mirror body as a substitute of shopping for a brand new spherical mirror (and tossing this one into the yard sale pile). This turned out to be one among my favourite straightforward diy tasks as a result of it was straightforward, low-cost, and didn’t take lengthy. Your entire undertaking took about two hours from begin to end, even with out a tremendous easy mirror body.
wasn’t within the finances, since we’re specializing in the kitchen. So as a substitute, we selected to go after some small and easy wins by selecting to resume items fairly than substitute them.
One of many items we centered on renewing was our massive mirror over the sink. My husband hated the silver, heavy end, and candidly, it was fairly dated.
So with a few hours to kill and $20 burning a gap in my pocket, I set off to strive a couple of mirror portray concepts as a substitute of shopping for a brand new mirror (and tossing this one into the yard sale pile).
Paint an Previous Mirror Body
What sort of paint do you utilize on a mirror?
There are loads of alternative ways to strive mirror portray concepts, and this is without doubt one of the smaller diy tasks on the market, so it’s excellent for making an attempt one thing new. The most effective half is, for those who don’t just like the diy mirror body concepts you’ve tried, you’ll be able to simply cowl it over with one other layer of paint, no hurt performed.
Whereas I did a mixture of chalk paint, acrylic craft paint, and wax in layers on my wall mirror body, the excellent news is you’ll be able to simply strive one thing else. Some inventive concepts embrace:
Chalk paint.
I like, love utilizing chalk paint on mirror frames as a result of they have a tendency to have loads of particulars and crevices. It makes it straightforward to layer colours, play with tinted wax, and construct a layered look to your shade palette. Plus, you don’t have to make use of a primer with chalk paint. It adheres nice to wooden, metallic, and plastic frames.
Spray paint.
For those who’re not trying for lots of layered shade or dimension, spray portray can work. You may get it textured, matte, metallic, hammered and even chalkboard. Plus, some spray paints have primer and paint in a single, so that you don’t all the time have to make use of a primer. Spray paint would work in case your mirror body is flat with out loads of crevices or element work, and you’ll simply take away it from the wall.
Latex paint.
If in case you have a wall shade that you simply love, you should utilize latex paint in your mirror body. Be sure to use a foam curler to keep away from brush strokes. I might solely suggest this in case your body is comparatively plain and doesn’t require loads of brushwork. Additionally, you’ll want to make use of a primer to get stable protection. In case your mirror belongs in a rest room or an space with excessive moisture, take into account latex paint particularly for loos.
Wooden Stain.
In case your mirror body is wooden, you’ll be able to sand down the outdated stain (or paint) and restain it with a stain like this. Sanding, restaining, and sealing might be time-intensive however will produce a phenomenal wooden end.
Milk paint.
This paint usually is available in a powder that you simply combine to create your excellent hue. Since mirror frames are small, this could possibly be a wonderful alternative to check out milk paint. It produces a extra ‘chippy’ look and can misery extra over time. Milk paint additionally ages over time, making a sheen that provides it an genuine vintage look.
Salt wash.
Salt wash is ideal if you would like an aged and antiqued look. It creates a really textured floor that makes the piece appear like it’s been sitting out within the sea air and solar for ages. Combining salt wash with any of the paints above creates a novel and delightful piece!
Gold leaf/foil.
If you wish to learn to paint a mirror body vintage gold, strive gold leaf. As soon as painted, you apply skinny sheets of gold leaf to create a phenomenal and splendid end. For those who’re need to change a gold mirror body to silver or bronze, they make silver and bronze leaf as properly. The gold leaf look will also be acheived with paint with out the work – I might suggest utilizing one thing like this paint.
A very good cause to make use of chalk paint is that you simply gained’t must sand the mirror earlier than portray (which to me, is a unbelievable concept as a result of it means much less work!). Nevertheless, if you’re utilizing every other form of paint, it’s prompt to sand first. This helps the paint follow the floor higher, in addition to offers an total smoother look.
What you have to to check out your mirror portray concepts:
To make my mirror portray concepts come to life, I used chalk paint since I knew I may create some stunning textures and layers with the small print of the body. My body is plastic, so I knew that chalk paint can be simpler to make use of since I wouldn’t must mess with a primer.
Provides:
- Your newest thrift retailer discover or classic mirror
- Chalk Paint (that is your base/main shade, I selected this white)
- Varied brushes (small are nice for crevices, large for fast protection; I had low-cost ones like this sponge one and these brushes)
- Chalk paint wax (that is the tint that goes within the cracks, I used a darkish one like this)
- Painter’s tape and cardboard (if leaving mirror within the body)
- Screwdriver (if eradicating the mirror)
- Acrylic or metallic paints for dry brushing/highlights (optionally available)
- A drop material to color on or lay beneath the mirror for those who can’t take away it from the wall
shield a mirror when portray a body
My mirror and body are the door of a drugs cupboard. Fortunately, I used to be in a position to make use of a screwdriver to dismantle the body and take away it completely from the door.
On the within of the door have been screws across the complete oval. I eliminated the screws from the highest in order that I may slide out the glass a part of the mirror earlier than eradicating the plastic body. I then positioned the mirror in a secure place (ekkk!), eliminated the remainder of the screws, and popped off the mirror body.
In case your body doesn’t come off, strive eradicating the total door/mirror.
For those who can’t take away the mirror from the body, you’ll need to lower a chunk of cardboard to position over the mirror space. Then, you’ll use painter’s tape to tape below the sting of the body on the flat surfaces of the mirror, in order that paint doesn’t find yourself it as you check out your favourite mirror portray concepts.
Another concept: One other fascinating concept is to make use of vaseline, nevertheless, then it’s important to fear about it getting on the body and stopping the paint from sticking properly, particularly since vaseline can be utilized to misery chalk paint. Plus, then it’s important to clear vaseline off your mirror, which looks like it could possibly be a smeary ache within the butt.
Subsequent, prep your mirror body for portray.
Regardless of which mirror portray concepts you select to strive, it’s essential to have a clear floor in order that the end appears to be like nice.
For those who’re selecting to stain a wooden body, now’s whenever you would use a sander or sandpaper to strip the wooden down. As soon as the sanding is finished, make certain to wipe the body down with a moist material or a tack material to take away all of the bits of mud. For those who don’t, your paint job will likely be a bumpy, sizzling mess!
For those who’re portray your body (whether or not metallic, wooden, or plastic), wipe it down and clear it with a moist material or Magic Eraser. This removes any stray toothpaste chunks, dust, or gunk that’s made its manner onto the body over time.
Paint your base coat.
For the following step, I selected FolkArt’s White Adirondack and put down two mild coats with a small sponge brush. Utilizing a sponge stored the body from having brushstrokes that might create a distinct texture than I needed. This coat doesn’t must be white, it will also be one among your base colours, it’s actually as much as you.
Right here’s the mirror body after one coat of chalk paint:
And after the second coat of chalk paint:
Now that I’ve my base down, I may do a number of issues. I may add some wax (from a candle) or vaseline to create spots the place I can present this backside shade via. I did that on this dresser, to point out the blue via.
If I did a second chalk paint shade, I may paint and wipe to point out a few of the base shade. Or, I may let it dry and sand the place I’ve added the vaseline/candle wax to create a chunkier elimination of paint, as I did right here.
Nevertheless, for this undertaking, I made a decision to only stick to one chalk paint for the mirror body to maintain it from being too heavy and darkish.
Subsequent, use wax to seal the body.
Since we’ve rubbed oil bronze in our lavatory, I made a decision to tug some brown into the mirror body. I did this by sealing the body with darkish wax.
You may see it greatest within the coils across the body right here:
Wax is available in numerous colours, together with clear, white, brown, and even gray. It can give a phenomenal tint to your piece. Do not forget that wax settles within the cracks and crevices of your body, in order that’s the colour you’ll see in these areas.
To make use of the wax, brush it on over a small space with a spherical bristle brush. Then, use a clear white material to wipe it off.
Bonus Tip for Utilizing Wax:
If the brown is just too darkish, you’ll be able to combine your wax with clear wax earlier than brushing it on. Or, for those who’ve already brushed and wiped your brown wax off, you’ll be able to brush on a transparent wax excessive. Then, use the material to wipe and assist choose up and take away a few of the brown wax. Utilizing the clear wax will assist soften that heavier shade.
When you’re performed together with your wax layer, you need to let it dry in a single day. You then’re going to need to use a smooth, white material to buff the wax to a boring shine.
Add some highlights to your body.
You may select to cease right here, however since I used to be making an attempt to match the rubbed oil bronze look, I opted to do some dry brushing of highlights with a metallic end.
Dry brushing is a technique the place you utilize little or no paint to spotlight spots of your body. Begin with a dry brush and dab the tip within the paint. Then, you’re going to make use of a paper towel to dab the comb onto to take away any extra paint.
You need to make certain the comb is dry and never saturated with paint. After you have a lot of the shade off, you’re going to hit the excessive components of the body to create a spotlight together with your accent shade. I went via and did a spherical with a phenomenal rose gold metallic paint:
After which the second dry brush was with a metallic bronze acrylic paint:
For those who really feel prefer it’s an excessive amount of of a spotlight, use a material to wipe off the surplus. You simply need to hit the excessive factors of the mirror body with paint to present it slightly pop.
Seal the complete body (optionally available).
For those who’re feeling particularly froggy, you’ll be able to then seal the complete body with a coat of clear wax. This wax layer ensures that each one the layers of paint set and are coated.
The ultimate wax coat is completely optionally available and as much as you! At this level, I simply needed to get the completed piece again in place. Additionally, get the mirror again within the body earlier than a child or cat knocked it over!
Clear the mirror.
Now that your mirror is finished, take away any painters tape and cardboard. For those who acquired paint on the mirror, no worries! A good way to take away any paint is to make use of a flat razor blade like this one to scrap any extra. Fortunately you aren’t prone to scratch the mirror because it’s flat to the floor when it scrapes.
As a ultimate step, you’ll need to clear the mirror. Use window cleaner (or vinegar and water) and a clear rag to make the mirror shine. Right here’s the brand new look utilizing my favourite mirror portray concepts:
Total, portray an outdated plain mirror body can breathe new life right into a room at a fantastic worth. This methodology not solely works for a mirror makeover, however an outdated image body as properly. Don’t neglect to hit up your native thrift shops or flea markets to search out mirrors and frames to work on. They’re chalk stuffed with small mirrors which might be low-cost. You may actually stretch your inventive chops by including embelishments, glass paint, or something you’ll be able to consider!
All in favour of studying methods to chalk paint dressers and different furnishings? Be taught how I up to date an outdated dresser with chalk paint and new drawer pulls right here!
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Now that you know the way to color a metallic, picket or plastic mirror body, which mirror portray concepts do you propose to check out? Go away a be aware within the feedback beneath!