How To DIY Antique Mirror Frame With Gilding Wax

This mirror was $20 at a garage sale and I’m excited to show you this DIY antique mirror frame project that made this frame look vintage.

In my Spring entryway post, I told you I’ve been craving some changes in this space, but I also said that it’s not on the schedule to do a full makeover right now.

So since I wanted some change I thought I’d do a couple of inexpensive cottage-style updates.

In my mind, even if we don’t do the big makeover I dream about, these little upgrades can have big impacts.

To start, I decided to give the black framed mirror in the entryway a more vintage look.

I’ve used gilding wax for a few things now.

In fact, this post was mostly written over Christmas time when I did the exact same thing to the mirror in the basement.

BUT…

I accidentally deleted all the footage of my doing that project.

Technology is amazing.

But when it doesn’t do what you thought it would do you sometimes sit in bed and cry haha.

Anyway, after that mirror turned out so good I decided to make this frame look vintage as well.

To watch this DIY project and a recent thrift haul head over to YouTube!

Over there you can also see how we turned these thrift store sconces into cute cottage wall sconces.

How do you make a mirror frame look vintage?

• Gilding Wax
• Rub n’ Buff
• Antique Wax

While I was doing research to figure out which method I wanted to use I learned the options are really endless.

It all depends on the look you’re going for.

If you opt for the antique wax, you can omit the spray paint step.

But if you decide to spray paint then you can get away with no applying antique wax.

Ultimately I decided on the method that didn’t use antique wax because I don’t have that on hand, but I have the other items.

That’s how I make a lot of the decisions I do honestly.

If the project requires me to go out and spend more money or use a different method with items I already have, I almost always choose the latter.

Does gilding wax tarnish?

I am not a gilding wax expert at this time, but in my experience, gilding wax has not lost is luster or tarnished.

I did do a little research on this topic and found that others have had that same experience.

I actually really love the outcomes that I’ve gotten with gilding wax.

But as time passes and the things I’ve used it on get older I’ll come back to this and update you.

DIY Antique Mirror Frame: Supplies

• liquid deglosser
• rag
• gloves
• painters tape
• paper
• black spray paint
• gilding Wax (or rub n’ buff)
• paint brush
• paper towel

DIY Antique Mirror Frame: Instructions

Before we begin I have to admit that I didn’t capture the first couple of steps on this mirror, because I bought it at a garage sale years ago, and spray-painted it then.

But the spray paint step is important because that is whats going to help give the frame the antique look.

Step 1.

Before beginning the project you want to make sure you prepare the mirror frame properly.

To do this you’ll want to wipe it down with a damp rag to remove the dirt and dust.

Step 2.

Now that the frame is clean you will want to grab the painters tape and some cardboard/paper and cover the mirror.

This is to protect it from the paint.

Step 3.

(Depending on the material your mirror is made out of you may want to use a liquid deglosser to make sure the paint adheres better.)

Now you can grab a can of spray paint and begin spraying the frame black.

*HELPFUL TIP*

I recommend putting the mirror on a couple of pieces of wood.

The flat shape of the mirror makes it hard to get all the edges unless you raise it up off the ground a couple of inches.

Step 4.

Once the black spray paint is dry I used a paint brush to paint some rub n’ buff on the frame.

I used antique gold rub n’ buff.

This is the most fun part of the project.

Just work the rub n’ buff into the little details of the frame, but make sure to let some of the black show through.

This is what gives it the antique look.

Step 5.

After the rub n’ buff is dry, begin doing the same thing with gilding wax.

By using the 2 colors I feel like I was able to achieve more depth and dimension to the frame.

When you do the gilding wax make sure you blend it so that all the colors are seamless and don’t look splotchy.

Helpful Hints

Spray Painting the Frame: DIY Antique Mirror Frame

I recommend raising the mirror up off the ground on a couple of pieces of wood before spray painting.

The shape of the mirror makes it hard to get all the edges unless you raise it up off the ground a couple of inches.

With this mirror, I was able to use it on a saw horse and get the same effect.

But my mirror in the basement was so big that I just put some 4x4s under it to give it a little lift.

Rub n Buff/Gilding Wax: DIY Antique Mirror Frame

I found that a cheap paint brush worked best for this project.

Specifically, with the rub n’ buff you are supposed to be able to use your fingers.

But since the frame had details I like the way the paintbrush was able to get in and around all the raised portions of the frame better than my fingers.

If you’re interested to see more projects I’ve used gilding wax or rub n buff on I share of few below.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

It means so much to me!

Have a great weekend!

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Have a great week! XoXo

Open Your Doors,
Aliya

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