Directions For Antique Mirror Finishing

Round Table

You can turn any thrift store wooden table into an antique-looking table with a mirror finish with just a few supplies from your local hardware and art supply stores. The finished look is shiny with random patterns of rust and earth tone colors under the shiny coating.

Things You'll Need

• Old round wood table
• Medium density fiberboard
• Pencil
• Vice
• Jigsaw
• Wood screws
• Wood glue
• Medium-grit sandpaper
• Painter's tape
• Primer
• Spray bottle filled with water
• Charcoal black spray paint
• 1-inch paint brush
• Polyurethane
• Red oxide paint
• Yellow ochre paint
• Burnt umber paint
• White paint
• Clear coat polymer (containing resin and hardener)
• Silver spray paint

Instructions

1. Place the medium density fiberboard on the ground. Turn the table upside down on top of it and trace around the table top with a pencil.

2. Secure the fiberboard in a vice and cut out the round shape with a jigsaw.

3. Apply wood glue to the fiberboard and stick to the top of the table.

4. Drill through the bottom of the table and about half way into the fiberboard. Screw the wood screws into the drilled holes.

5. Sand the fiberboard and mask off with painter's tape around the edge of the table.

6. Spray the fiberboard with primer. Allow to dry.

7. Spray the fiberboard with water. Spray with black spray paint in random spots on top of the water.

8. Mix equal parts polyurethane and rust paint and dab the mixture onto the fiberboard with a brush. Repeat with each of the colors in random patterns. Allow the coat to dry.

9. Mix the clear coat polymer according to the directions and pour over the entire surface of the table top, approximately an 1/8 inch thick. Spray silver spray paint in random patterns over top of the polymer while still wet. Allow to dry.

10. Repeat Step 8 and spray some water on top. Repeat Step 9.

11. Remover the painter's tape.

Tips & Warnings

• To create a smoother look, use a Dremel tool to sand the edge of the tabletop.

• If you use the Dremel, you should coat the surface with polyurethane to cover the scratches.

References

• Paint Ideas