After our downstairs re-do last summer-HERE and Kitchen HERE and Library HERE and Foyer HERE and some of the furniture HERE I’m going to eventually going to tackle the upstairs! I’m organizing closets and planning what’s going on the walls before I start painting everything not moving!
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One fun thing I want to do is a wall of vintage mirrors! But I don’t want to actually BUY vintage mirrors, so I decide to DIY some mirrors to look vintage.
I love love love the way they turned out!
I was inspired by Vintage Revival! As far as I know, she’s the first one to do this and certainly she’s perfected the technique!
Here’s what you Need:
*A mirror
*Paint Remover (in a spray can)
*Muratic Acid
(You get the Muratic Acid at Home Depot-I’ve heard from several readers about how dangerous this acid is…so be safe w/ your gloves…use it only outdoors where it’s well ventilated and wash it off AWAY for any vegetation)
*Spray Bottle
*Gloves-heavy duty- Neoprene
*Scraper…I used a car windshield scraper!
*Lots of paper towels!
*Vintage fabric or vintage look scrapbook paper for smaller mirrors
*Spray adhesive
Get a mirror & take the back off, if it has a back …this mirror’s back had screws holding it in place! Very heavy duty!
Next spray paint remover on the back of mirror and follow directions. What you’re trying to do is scrape the paint off so you can get to the mirror’s reflective layer.
I had to do this several times and even use a car window scraper on this particular mirror.
Now, with gloves on spray Muratic Acid on the back of the mirror.
Let sit for 10-15 seconds then rinse it off w/ the hose…in a pine island without plants nearby! I did this several times until it looked like I wanted it. The better the mirror the longer it’ll take to eat through the reflective coating, a cheap mirror doesn’t take long at all so be quick and careful!
Cut a piece of vintage fabric to fit the back of mirror. Spray adhesive spray onto front of fabric and adhere to the back of mirror.
Reattach the back of your mirror…if it had one!
I love this fabric, it was a dress in another life…(I did some work on the frame while I was at it! A bit of spray paint and sand paper until it looked like I wanted!)
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I found a little dresser mirror for $2.00! Soooo….
Just peeled off the felt on the back and followed the same *Paint Remover, * Muratic Acid, *Fabric steps!
Except I used paper instead of fabric on this…
I love the way this turned out too!
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UPDATE:
When we moved last year, I did an arrangement on the master bath wall with the mirrors, so this is where they live right now! (if you want to see HERE is the post!)
Happy creating my friends
clarice says
April 17, 2011 at 8:07 pmLove, love, love. I am blessed to live in an old home full of old mirroes but I do have a new one. I will have tt remember your post!! Clarice
Diane @ home sweet homemade says
April 17, 2011 at 9:20 pmwow – looks SO great!! Fabulous job Robin! I know what you mean about how pricy old mirrors can be. I was in a small town resale shop over the weekend and saw a very nice large old mirror and it was priced twice what I was expecting — $300! Sorry but had to pass on that one. My favorite of the two you showed was the dresser mirror. So old fashioned 🙂
Cindy @ Custom Comforts says
April 18, 2011 at 6:52 amWhat a super idea!!! I’ll have to try this for my shop. I’m always on the lookout for mirrors, but this is something totally unique. Love it. Newest follower.
Cindy
Julie Garmon says
April 18, 2011 at 7:31 amLove this idea!!
[email protected] and My Pink Mixer says
April 18, 2011 at 8:23 amRobin you are so crafty! Love the mirror and I love that I won your Joseph’s Grainery giveaway! So excited to receive my prize 🙂 Thanks again and Happy Monday!
Vicky says
April 18, 2011 at 12:09 pmGoodness you so boldly go after the effects you want, so unafraid to get in there and get messy. I just love how you do that, and come up with pure beauty in the end!
~K @ VintageSkye says
April 18, 2011 at 1:57 pmI hope you don’t mind~ I had to do a little post with your link on my blog to send people over to this tutorial! It is so lovely and I am heading out right now to find a mirror and some fabric to make my own! Thanks for the fabulous tutorial! It’s a winner!
Robin says
April 19, 2011 at 5:59 amThanks K! xo
kelly says
April 18, 2011 at 5:48 pmWow great job!!!!
Love it and I’d love for you to join me @ the Glitter Link Party!
http://runwithglitter.blogspot.com/2011/04/running-with-glitter-5-link-party.html
kelly says
April 18, 2011 at 5:48 pmWow great job!!!!
Love it and I’d love for you to join me @ the Glitter Link Party!
http://runwithglitter.blogspot.com/2011/04/running-with-glitter-5-link-party.html
Amber @ barbwired says
April 19, 2011 at 12:48 amThese look so fab!! I love them but will probably not try them…the last time I used muratic acid, I got chemical pneumonia. Silly me, I will just avoid the chemical from now on. I love it tho!!
Robin says
April 19, 2011 at 5:58 amOh my goodness Amber! That’s awful! I’ll be super careful when doing the rest!!! xo
Lauren says
April 19, 2011 at 7:22 amWow — this is fantastic! Thanks for sharing!
Lisa says
April 19, 2011 at 7:49 amWOW, that looks wonderful!
Anna @ Lawrence Girls says
April 19, 2011 at 9:34 amVery nice! I haven’t tried this yet, but I’ve had it in the back of my mind awhile. 🙂
The tutorial I have pinned used oven cleaner instead of paint remover and acid… makes me wonder what’s in oven cleaner! Blargh!
Cindy @ Custom Comforts says
April 20, 2011 at 7:02 amWhere do I go to buy Muratic acid?
Cindy
Robin says
April 20, 2011 at 8:22 amCindy…Home Depot…see my update on the acid in the post!
Carlee says
April 20, 2011 at 9:13 amWhat a great idea, I love the finish, it really looks vintage!
Katie says
April 20, 2011 at 10:04 amWOOOAAAAH, this is awesome!! I’m all about my dangerous craft projects, I love how the acid turned out! Great job, these are lovely.
abeachcottage says
April 21, 2011 at 10:16 amYou did a great job with this project. Lovely tutorial too. Glad you added your link to Beach Cottage Good Life Wednesdays!
mitra says
December 9, 2011 at 1:26 amhi
veri vell biuotifoul
Inspire Me Heather says
April 16, 2012 at 8:15 amGreat tutorial, thanks! I’ve got this linked to my mirrors post as well today, nice job!