How to Paint a Mirror Frame Antique Silver | Step by Step Guide by Expert

Mirror frames are a part of the household decoration, but its colour gets damaged over time and becomes scratched from some parts. Most people replace it with the new one. But some people still rely on old and want some solution to resolve this issue. But thanks to the time frame, now it’s possible to make your old frame look like new. You can choose any colour as your frame colour. But do you know how to paint a mirror frame antique silver? This will show you how to do a mirror painting frame in antique silver or any colour you want. I will present you with proper strategy and tools.

Some mirrors can easily be taken off from the frame but if it’s not possible to take out mirror then do all steps on the mirror frame. 

• 1st of all you will need to clean the mirror frame then it will be able to paint. 

Tools you will need to Paint a Mirror Frame Antique Silver

Obviously you will require some tools to paint a mirrow frame antique silver. We have listed all the tools below. If you don’t have these necessary tools you can purchase it from the below boxes and start working.

Framed Mirror

Fine Sandpaper

Clean Rags

Blue Painter’s Tape

Card Stock

Craft Paper

Universal Metalic spray paint titanium/ sterling silver

A flat piece of cardboard larger than the frame

Drop Cloth

Antiquing Glaze

Small bristle paint brushes

Furniture Paste Wax

Sponge Tipped Paintbrush

Goggles

Mask

No products found.

How to Paint a Mirror Frame Antique Silver

Step 1: Refurbishing frame

Clean the frame:

• Use a cloth to clean dust accumulated by years on frame.
• During cleaning, don’t rub too hard as it may damage the mirror frame.
• If you are cleaning the iron frame, then the best option is to clean it with vinegar as its good for cleaning iron rust. But avoid cleaning plastic frame as it will dissolve due to its intense property.
• You can use a few drops of window cleaning spray but prevent wax spray as it will don’t allow to paint and primer to stick on the frame.

Remove hard objects:

• Frame mostly have hooks, nails and hinges. Before painting, you can take it off so that it will easy for refurbishing a frame.

Measure the size of the mirror glass:

• Measure the width and length with measuring tape. Please write down the measurements and recheck it.

Cut newspaper to the same measurement you write above:   

• Cut mirror sized outline with paper according to your measured length and width. 

Tape the paper outline to the mirror glass:

• Now use blue painter’s tape and stick it on the frame with tape. Now examine if the paper size is perfectly sized with the frame. If not, then adjust it and try again.

Use fine sandpaper on wood frames:

• In this step, use fine sandpaper to rub the top layer of the mirror frame.
• Use grit sandpaper according to hardness and layers of frames. If it has only a few layers, then use 100 grit. Increase grit size according to the mirror frame.
• Rub it softly so it only sand top layer. It will help paint and primer to stick to the frame. If you don’t do this then after few time paint will be off in chunks.

Wipe the mirror frame:

• After sanding, use a cloth to wipe it.
• Now, prepare it for priming and painting.

Step 2: Priming and painting the frame

Apply primer to the frame: 

• Use a roller brush and apply all-purpose primer.
• Roll on one coat of primer in the same direction. Don’t apply in back and forth direction.

Best Primers:

• Oil-based primers are best for wood, steel, or metal frames.
• For softwood, latex paint is the best option.
• If you want a darker colour, then roll primer of dark colour like grey.
• If you want a light colour then primer it with the light colour, i.e. white
• Now let the primer dry for 2 hours. Then apply 2nd thin coat. After coating, let it dry overnight.

Sand down the frame after applying primer:

• In this step, use sandpaper for sanding it lightly. When you apply light pressure, then it will ease for a wood frame to stick paint.
• Now wipe down the frame with a damp cloth. It will allow the frame to clean dust before applying paint.

Frame paint selection:

• When you are going to put paint on the frame, then one question urges that what type of paint is best for frames: then the best answer is latex or oil-based paint is best as I mentioned above.

Apply the first coat of paint:

• Tip: for the best-looking result, you must apply a thin coat of paint. This method will give you a good look.
• Use a small bristle paintbrush for applying metallic silver paint.
• If spray bottles are available, then spray it but make sure to put something down to prevent any mess.
• When you spray, must keep distance between spray and frame of 25cm. 
• Don’t spray in windy or dusty condition.
• Now give it rest for 2 hours.
• To check paint is dried or not, use a damp cloth and soft tap on the painted frame. If there is no paint on the cloth, it means it’s ready for other coat.
• For applying the 2nd coat, must cover all sides evenly. If you want darker colours, then repeat the process of coating.
• Now turn the mirror over and tape craft where you don’t have to apply paint. Repeat spraying on the visible sections of the frame.

Step 3: Antique Finish

What you need for the antique finish to your silver finished frame?

• Antiquing glaze
• A small bristle brush
• A jar of paste wax

Method:

• Position the frame on your work area and positioned it in a way which makes it easy to work for you.
• Dip a dry paintbrush into the antique glaze and apply it over the frame.
• Apply it in light and long strokes. Now apply evenly on all area and damp it with the brush to show an antique effect. Repeat this process while applying glaze all over.
• Now do the same process on the back of the frame to give it age effect.
• Let it dry for the final coat.
• Use a bristle paintbrush, apply the one coat of paste wax. If you can apply more coat, then it will give a more attractive look.
• Now, this mirror frame is ready to hang.
• You can use this method to utilize painting frame ideas. You can use this method for multiple designs on the frame.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you paint a metal mirror frame?

Yes, It’s an easy process. For the metal effect on a mirror frame Buy a colour paint or spray from the paint shop. Just make sure the colour is suitable for your metal frame or not. The other thing you will need is a metal primer. Use metal primer and apply a very thin layer and let it dry. Now use sandpaper and sand it after sanding clean it so that paint sticks to the frame. Now on one side, apply one coat of metal colour, and let it dry. When it dry, then apply 2 or 3 more coats according to the colour you need. Apply this process on the other side too.

Now it’s ready for hang.

What kind of paint will stick to a mirror?

There are two kinds of paints that can stick to the mirror. One is the acrylics, and the other is the Enamels. The oil-based paints take longer to dry.

Can you paint a gold mirror silver?

Yes, use the silver leaf paint, antique it with brown stain and wipe it to give an antique look.

How do you paint a wooden mirror frame silver?

Tip: for the best-looking result, you must apply a thin coat of paint. This method will give you a good look.

• Use a small bristle paintbrush for applying metallic silver paint.
• If spray bottles are available, then spray it but make sure to put something down to prevent any mess.
• When you spray, must keep distance between spray and frame of 25cm. 
• Don’t spray in windy or dusty condition.
• Now give it rest for 2 hours.
• To check paint is dried or not, use a damp cloth and soft tap on the painted frame. If there is no paint on the cloth, it means it’s ready for other coat.
• For applying the 2nd coat, must cover all sides evenly. If you want darker colours, then repeat the process of coating.
• Now turn the mirror over and tape craft where you don’t have to apply paint. Repeat spraying on the visible sections of the frame.

What you need for the antique finish to your silver finished frame?

• Antiquing glaze
• A small bristle brush
• A jar of paste wax

Method

• Position the frame on your work area and positioned it in a way which makes it easy to work for you.
• Dip a dry paintbrush into the antique glaze and apply it over the frame.
• Apply it in light and long strokes. Now apply evenly on all area and damp it with the brush to show an antique effect. Repeat this process while applying glaze all over.
• Now do the same process on the back of the frame to give it age effect.
• Let it dry for the final coat.

Conclusion

To conclude this topic, If you follow the right steps to paint your frame then undoubtedly you can turn your old frame into a new frame with the new look. Now you know how to paint a mirror frame antique silver. I explained all method briefly. If you follow these methods, you will get 100% right result.

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