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

15 Signs You’re A Business Major At The University of Iowa

If you're a business major at the University of Iowa, chances are there are a few telltale signs. From the…

6 hours ago

What Zodiac Sign Are You Really?

Have you ever felt that maybe your zodiac sign was a bit off? Maybe some characteristics of your zodiac sign resonate…

11 hours ago

10 Helpful Tips To Survive Anxiety In College

As fun as attending a university as huge, school spirited, and prestigious as NC State is, stressors are most definitely…

14 hours ago

12 SJU Students To Look Out For

SJU breeds talent, and when it comes to the Class of 2020 on Queens Campus, several students are #doingbigthings and…

19 hours ago

15 Signs You Are (And Should Be) Obsessed With Amazon Prime

Let’s face it, the latest epidemic to strike the 21st century is online shopping. Instead of going to the store…

24 hours ago

10 Things You Need To Pack If You’re Studying Abroad In Asia

So you’re finally making the big move. Off to the land of beaches, temples, forbidden cities, and mouthwatering cuisine. Even…

1 day ago