How Do I Faux Antique a Mirror?

Antique mirrors in good condition are rare finds. The ones that are for sale are also usually priced like many antiques--very high. Fortunately, there is a way to add such a piece to your home decor without the large expense--make a faux antique mirror. The procedure uses abrasive chemicals, so read all safety materials before proceeding.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Newspaper
• Tape
• Neoprene lab gloves
• Lab face mask (covering mouth and nose)
• Goggles
• Paint stripper
• Cotton t-shirt, ripped into rags
• Plastic paint scraper
• 32-ounce all-purpose spray bottle
• Muriatic acid
• Paper towels
• Large flat paint brush
• High grade black acrylic paint
• Black spray paint
• Craft paper or cardboard, as needed

1. Set up your workspace in a heavily ventilated area. Cover a flat surface, like a table, with newspaper. You may want to tape the newspaper to the underside or edges of the table, depending on the area needed to work.

2. Lay the mirror face down on the work table. Remove the hardware and paper or cardboard from the back of the mirror. Take care to keep the mirror uncracked. You should now see the gray backed mirror in the frame. The gray is paint that covers a reflective coating painted onto a piece of glass to form the mirror.

3. Put on your neoprene gloves, face mask and goggles. Liberally spread the paint stripper onto the back of the mirror. Let it sit for a few minutes and then wipe with the rags torn from the t-shirt. Continue to do this until the silver reflective coating is revealed. Use the plastic paint scraper to remove the gray paint as needed. Do not remove or scratch the silver coating.

4. Use a clean t-shirt rag to wipe away any excess paint stripper. Carefully, fill one-third of the 32-ounce spray bottle with muriatic acid. Screw on the top and turn the nozzle to the spray setting. Determine where you want the antique spots and spray, lightly, in those places.

5. Let the muriatic acid dissolve the reflective coating. Use the paper towels to wipe away excess acid. Dampen one of the clean t-shirt rags and wipe off the muriatic acid as it dissolves the reflective coating enough to reach the desired antique look.

6. Wipe away all of the muriatic acid and let it dry completely. Using the black acrylic paint and large flat paint brush, spread a thick layer over the spots of exposed glass. Let it dry.

7. Spray the entire back of the mirror with black spray paint to protect the gray coating. Attach the cardboard or paper back. If those are damaged, staple craft paper or a custom cut piece of cardboard to the back of the mirror. Replace the hardware and hang.

Tips & Warnings

• The chemicals used are hazardous to the skin and also for breathing. Use the protective mask, gloves and goggles from start to finish and perform this project outside if possible.