Do It Yourself

Make Your Own Antique Mirror

An antique mirror is a really great way to add a vintage feeling to your home, and it doesn’t take long at all.

All you need is:

  • a mirror
  • paint stripper
  • a paint scraper
  • muriatic acid (preferably spray, but you can always just pour it into your own spray bottle)
  • spray paint (black or gold)
  • a few towels

While you’re making this, especially when you are using the muriatic acid but also with the paint stripper, you should be wearing protective gloves, protective eyewear, and a ventilation mask.

Cover the area that you are working in with some towels or newspaper so that you don’t ruin it. If your mirror is framed, you’ll first want to take it out of the frame.

Next, put paint stripper on the back of the mirror and leave it long enough for the paint to loosen.

Using your scraper ( or a putty knife if you have one), take off the paint on the back of the mirror. Don’t damage the actual mirror.

Using a towel, clean the mirror off and make sure it’s dry.

Now spray the back of the mirror with the muriatic acid. Be careful with this step. You want to keep it on long enough to see that it’s working, up to a minute only. Just spray it on a few areas of the mirror so you don’t ruin the whole thing.

See Also

To remove the acid, just use a towel to dry it. Remove it when you see that the reflective backing is gone. After that you’ll want to rewash the back of the mirror and dry it again.

Paint the entire back of the mirror, one to give it the antiqued look, but also because it helps to keep the rest of the reflective backing from becoming loose. I’ve seen people use black or gold antique spray paint, so whichever you’d prefer. The front of the mirror should look like the picture.

Now just reassemble the mirror if it has a frame, and that’s it!

Did you make your own antique mirror? Let us know below! And don’t forget to follow our blog on bloglovin.com!
Inspiration and photos from here and here. Featured image source: https://www.homeheartcraft.com/blog/diy-faux-antiqued-mirror-no-chemicals-
lindsayrobbins

Recent Posts

20 Mistakes Every University of North Carolina At Chapel Hill Freshman Makes

The first semester of college is an exciting time. It’s a intoxicating rush of freedom: no curfews! No rules! Cute…

3 hours ago

Top 5 Eclectic Places In Greensboro North Carolina

Whether you are in town visiting or you are attending one of the local universities, such as the University of…

8 hours ago

10 Reasons Being Single During the Holidays is Awesome

The holiday season is one of the best times of the year to be single. Between the food, the music (and…

16 hours ago

The 15 Must-Have Clothes To Bring To College

Dorm rooms are small, and the space for clothes is even smaller; however, no matter how tightly packed your clothes…

20 hours ago

How To Make A Matcha Latte At Home

Health gurus, chances are you’ve already heard of one of the newest health trends on the rise; matcha. For those…

1 day ago

20 Stress Relievers For When You Just Can’t Anymore

College can be overwhelming specifically when it's the first semester of freshmen year, and you're in a new place with…

1 day ago