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    Home » Thrift Store Makeovers » How to Paint a Wooden Mirror Frame

    How to Paint a Wooden Mirror Frame

    Published by Gail | Published March 9, 2022 | Updated December 9, 2022
    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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    Tips on doing a wooden mirror frame makeover in black milk paint with silver leaf rub n buff details. Update old household items into new and useful decor. #MyRepurposedLife #upcycle #repurposed #thrifstore #mirror #milkpaint #rubnbuff via @repurposedlife

    In this post, how to paint a wooden mirror frame, I'll show you how to use milk paint to update a thrift store mirror. The old wooden mirror was a good deal, but it needs a little TLC to update it's looks. I may even add a little rub n' buff!

    Brown Wooden Mirror Frame

    At $10, this wooden framed mirror was over my regular budget. But it's really heavy duty, and definitely worth the money if I can give it a good makeover.

    thrift store decor team

    This is our Thrift Store Day, be sure to check out all the projects below.

    The wood frame had some dings and dimples. I used a fine grit sandpaper wrapped around a board to sand the bad places. Keeping the sandpaper on the board helps to get a straighter edge when removing the dents.

    Prep Mirror Frame for Painting

    If you're working on your own wooden mirror frame or furniture project, you know where it's been and what it's been subjected to. However because this is a thrift store find, I don't know what kind of grime might be on it. Although I'll be using milk paint, I want to make sure there's no grease or nicotine present.

    apply deglosser with chip brush

    I find it best to apply the deglosser with a chip brush. In the case of this wooden mirror frame, it helps to get into the intricate areas to ready them for the milk paint.

    How to Use Milk Paint

    painting wooden mirror frame with milk paint

    After taping off the mirror, I used a chip brush to apply the General Finishes milk paint to the wooden mirror. This is after one light coat.

    Related Content: Painting Plastic Mirror Frame

    True Applicator Sponge

    For the second coat, I used a True Applicator Sponge to stipple the milk paint onto the mirror frame.

    lamp black milk paint mirror frame

    Don't you think it's so much better painted black? Maybe you would have chosen a different color?

    Using Furniture Wax and a Sponge

    I chose to use Miss Mustard Seed's furniture wax over the milk paint, applied with an old piece of a True Applicator Sponge. It went on smooth and gave a slight shine and protection to the painted wooden mirror frame.

    If you're buying thrift store projects for your own home, $10 is quite a deal for this regal looking mirror. Of course, I'll be selling this at my booth, so here's hoping the new look will give it a fast turnaround. It will be going back to the same store where I bought it. 🙂

    How to Use Rub N Buff

    To show you how I used Rub n Buff, I placed a piece of black poster board over the mirror. This was solely to make photographing the mirror easier.

    Less is more when it comes to Rub n Buff. Applying with your finger works best, you can do this with or without a latex glove.

    I definitely recommend squirting a small amount onto a paper plate. Dip your finger into the dab, then rub the plate to get the excess from your finger/glove. I didn't start out that way, but quickly realized it was the best way to have control over the amount of Rub N Buff applied.

    Initially, I wasn't going to do the long outer border on each side. For that application I used very little on my glove and finished the complete area without reapplying the silver leaf.

    Have you got a secret for taking a picture of a mirror? I'm not sure I love the silver leaf rub n buff, what do you think? Too much?

    Many people commented that the silver leaf rub n buff was too much. I used the black milk paint to tone it down a little.

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    1. Christy @ Our Southern Home

      March 15, 2022 at 12:26 pm

      That mirror is so my style! What a fabulous find for $10. I really love the paint finish along with he rub 'n buff of the details. Great job!!

      Reply
    2. Pam

      March 10, 2022 at 2:50 pm

      I don't think I've ever used the Rub n Buff, but it sure does highlight the mirror! Hope it sells quickly for you!

      Reply
    3. Cindy

      March 09, 2022 at 7:30 pm

      That black is the perfect color on the mirror, Gail! And the Rub-n-Buff really makes the details stand out! This is a great makeover - Pinned 😊

      Reply
    4. Naomi Shelton

      March 09, 2022 at 6:00 pm

      The mirror has a much richer look painted black, I think. Not clear whether you left the silver leaf on the frame or not. I like it better without. Nice job, though.

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        March 14, 2022 at 8:27 pm

        Naomi, I toned down the silver leaf with a little of the black paint and it looks so much better!

        gail

    5. Kristin salazar

      March 09, 2022 at 3:24 pm

      This turned out great! l love the color, so updated! I have no advice on taking a picture of a mirror lol

      Reply
    6. girlfromwva

      March 09, 2022 at 2:38 pm

      love the mirror. think if u took the "shine" off the rub 'n buff, it would look better. just my opinion (kinda like it better without it).

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        March 09, 2022 at 2:45 pm

        Thanks Nova! I tried to "rub" it back, but once it's on--it's ON! 🙂

        gail

    7. Maryann

      March 09, 2022 at 12:55 pm

      What a beautiful mirror and I love the finish that you put on it - such a beautiful color!

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        March 09, 2022 at 2:46 pm

        Thanks Maryann! Gotta love the power of paint, eh?

        gail

    8. Ladydragon10

      March 09, 2022 at 10:39 am

      I love it with the silver leaf. I wish my antique mirror had a detail instead of being plain. Great job!!

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        March 09, 2022 at 2:46 pm

        Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a comment on my most recent project!! I truly appreciate it.

        gail

    9. Carlene @ Organized Clutter

      March 09, 2022 at 10:36 am

      You found a great mirror! Perfect for a makeover!

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        March 09, 2022 at 2:47 pm

        Thank you Carlene!!
        I love an easy project makeover.

        gail

    10. Fran Blunt

      March 09, 2022 at 8:59 am

      Perhaps you could darken the silver a little so it doesn't look so garish. I do like the mirror with all its trim work.

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        March 09, 2022 at 2:48 pm

        Fran,

        I think I will try to tone it down a little. I tried (unsuccessfully) to rub it back a little, but that stuff doesn't budge!

        gail

    11. Sue at Blu

      March 09, 2022 at 7:37 am

      Gail, that is such a great find! I do like the mirror without the Rub n' Buff which is surprising because I tend to be gaudy. Could I be mellowing? But I agree with you, I always plan to use just a little but it's hard to stop. It's a fun product that really can add to a piece! Someone is gonna love this beauty!

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        March 09, 2022 at 2:49 pm

        Thank you Sue! To each his own, right? It's so hard to know what "my" community likes here in town. hahahah

        gail

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    Hi, there! I’m Gail Wilson, the author and mastermind behind My Repurposed Life. I’m obsessed with finding potential in unexpected places and believe that with a little hard work and imagination, any old thing can be made useful again—myself included! I hope you’ll enjoy the journey and pick up a few tools along the way… literally!

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