How to Make an Oil Rubbed Bronze Mirror Frame
It's easy to make a mirror frame with an oil rubbed bronze finish from decorative wood trim and spray paint. Oil rubbed bronze is becoming a popular choice for home accents. The cost of authentic oil rubbed bronze fixtures and frames can be high, but you can make them yourself with a little know how and the right finish. Give any painted mirror frame an oil rubbed bronze look or follow these simple instructions and make your own custom mirror frame. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Measuring tape 4 2-inch-wide decorative trim pieces Miter saw Router 220-grit sandpaper Spray primer Oil rubbed bronze spray paint Satin polyurethane spray paint 4 straight brackets
Instructions
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Measure the width, height and thickness of the mirror you plan to frame. Your framed mirror will be 4 inches taller and 4 inches wider than the mirror itself if you use 2-inch-wide trim molding to build your frame.
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Cut two pieces of trim equal to the width of your mirror plus 4 inches. Miter the edges 45 degrees for corners that will fit together at an angle. Lay the trim in place along the top and bottom of the mirror and measure the sides between them from the outside tip of one piece of trim to the outside tip of the other. This will give you the length of the trim pieces that will fit on the sides. Cut the trim and miter the edges to fit your mirror.You can also leave the ends of the trim pieces straight if you prefer straight corners. Add 4 inches to the length or the width of your trim to make straight corners.
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Route an edge along the inside bottom of each trim piece equal to the thickness of your mirror. The routed edge will allow the frame to fit the mirror and hold it in place.
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Sand the surface of your trim pieces with 220-grit sandpaper to remove any rough areas on the trim and so the wood will accept the primer better. Remove all of the sanding debris with a damp cloth and let the wood trim dry completely.
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Make your mirror frame by joining the finished trim pieces together with a straight metal bracket.
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Spray paint the front and the back of your mirror frame with spray primer. Let the finish dry completely. Spraying the back of your wood frame will help keep the trim from bowing, or warping, from the finish on the front.
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Spray a coat of the oil rubbed bronze paint onto the back of your mirror frame and let it dry. Follow the manufacturer's directions for the paint that you select, but you will likely need to stand 2 to 6 feet away from the frame and spray a light coat. American Accents and Kilz make oil rubbed bronze spray paint that is easy to apply and that simulates a true oil rubbed finish. You can find these brands at your local craft or discount stores. Let the back dry, and then flip the pieces over and spray the front.
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Finish your mirror frame by spraying a coat of satin polyurethane on the back and on the front to protect the frame from moisture and to add a bit of sheen.
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Tips & Warnings
Have your trim pieces cut at your local home improvement store.
Always spray paint in a well-ventilated area and wear a dust mask.
