upCYCLE Old Mirrors
My mom had some old mirrors sitting around her house and I figured I could make a little project out of them. I wanted to arrange them in my bedroom and create a mirror wall. The antiquey gold color wasn't my favorite and as I am currently upcycling most of my apartment (more posts to come!!) I wanted them to match the rest of my room. So I settled on some good colors and decided to give these mirrors a girly new twist.
First, of course, I cleaned them with paper towels and some household cleaner. Then I used newspaper and paint tape to cover the mirror faces. For the more ornate mirrors, I was worried that the spray paint alone wouldn't fill all of the nooks and crannies. So I took some plain black acrylic paint and used my fingers to press the paint into the grooves of the mirror. I did this so if the spray paint did not get into the cracks, it would peak through black instead of gold and give a more natural antiquey look, instead of a paint job gone wrong.
I did this the day before I spray painted them. I can't say that this technique made a tremendous difference but I never tried it without the acrylic black paint so I don't know. I also know that if you use this technique, and only spray a few lighter coats of paint, it gives the mirrors a very antique feel. Maybe We will get a post on that soon ;) However, for these, I really did want that modern plastic look, so I sprayed the crap out of them.
I used a spray primer (Krylon brand white primer) very lightly unless I used a color that was paint + primer. To paint, press consistently on the nozzle and move left to right across whatever you paint! Make sure paint is applied evenly and if any bumps or drips of paint arise, sand them down gently and apply another coat.
TIP: for larger projects lightly sand primer before applying paint. Also be sure to paint in a well ventilated area (et hem outside!) For the inside scoop on all of my spray painting tips, check my tips page!
The colors I used here are (Krylon : white primer, jade, ballet slipper, ivory and classic gray) I also have Catalina mist which I love love!! But had to special order from scherwinn Williams and am saving for a separate project.
You can apply these principals to spray paint pretty much anything you want, provided you use the right type of paint for the material ( listed on the can!) Good luck and happy painting!
First, of course, I cleaned them with paper towels and some household cleaner. Then I used newspaper and paint tape to cover the mirror faces. For the more ornate mirrors, I was worried that the spray paint alone wouldn't fill all of the nooks and crannies. So I took some plain black acrylic paint and used my fingers to press the paint into the grooves of the mirror. I did this so if the spray paint did not get into the cracks, it would peak through black instead of gold and give a more natural antiquey look, instead of a paint job gone wrong.
I did this the day before I spray painted them. I can't say that this technique made a tremendous difference but I never tried it without the acrylic black paint so I don't know. I also know that if you use this technique, and only spray a few lighter coats of paint, it gives the mirrors a very antique feel. Maybe We will get a post on that soon ;) However, for these, I really did want that modern plastic look, so I sprayed the crap out of them.
I used a spray primer (Krylon brand white primer) very lightly unless I used a color that was paint + primer. To paint, press consistently on the nozzle and move left to right across whatever you paint! Make sure paint is applied evenly and if any bumps or drips of paint arise, sand them down gently and apply another coat.
TIP: for larger projects lightly sand primer before applying paint. Also be sure to paint in a well ventilated area (et hem outside!) For the inside scoop on all of my spray painting tips, check my tips page!
The colors I used here are (Krylon : white primer, jade, ballet slipper, ivory and classic gray) I also have Catalina mist which I love love!! But had to special order from scherwinn Williams and am saving for a separate project.
You can apply these principals to spray paint pretty much anything you want, provided you use the right type of paint for the material ( listed on the can!) Good luck and happy painting!