Mirror Makeover Using Annie Sloan Chalk Paint
How to make over a thrift store mirror with chalk paint and fix the damaged veneer before painting so the finish would look brand new.
Recently at my favorite thrift store I found a mirror to use in my foyer, but first I had to add my style to it using Annie Sloan Chalk Paint.
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The mirror had a layer of damaged veneer on the upper and lower left hand side of the frame? I knew I could fix those areas and then paint the frame so it would look as good as new.
How to Fix Damaged Veneer on Wood Furniture
When I see a piece of wood furniture that has damage like this mirror, I knew that I could fix it with wood filler or Spackle.
- When the damaged area is small (top photo) I fill it with wood filler. Any brand will work. I use a Spackle knife to apply it over the damage and form it into a mound.
- On larger areas of damage, (bottom photo) wood filler doesn’t work as well as Spackle. I find if I add thin layers and let each dry before applying the next, it will bond better.
- After the wood filler or last coat of Spackle is dry, I sand over the area to smooth and level it with medium grit sandpaper.
How to Paint with Chalk Paint® by Annie Sloan
Optional: I used shellac to seal the wood before painting. I have found that furniture that is old and has a dark finish on it usually has more wood tannins that can seep into the paint and change the color.
To make sure that would not happen, I applied one thin coat of clear shellac over the frame and let it dry. It dries in 30 minutes.
I used Chalk Paint® by Annie Sloan in the color Louis Blue.
I figured I would go for a more aged look and used Dark Soft Wax over the dried paint.
1. After the shellac was dry, I applied 2 coats of paint, letting the first one dry, before applying the second.
2. Once the paint was dry, I used medium grit sandpaper on a sanding block to distress the edges.
NOTE: This step can be done before or after waxing. I like the distressing to look smooth where the newly exposed distressed areas are sealed with the wax. If you prefer a more rustic look, distress after you wax so the distressed wood will be rough and unwaxed.
3. To distress detailed areas, fold sandpaper and use the corners or edges to get into the crevices and grooves.
Mirror Painting Tip:
When painting mirrors, I usually remove them from their frames before painting so I can paint the edge of the underside that is reflected in the mirror.
The mirror would not budge from the frame and I didn’t want to break it, so I painted it in place. I used a small stiff paint brush to push the paint under the edge where the mirror meets the frame.
How to Apply Annie Sloan Dark Wax For a More Pronounced Aged Look
1. So that you can move the dark color of wax all over the surface and push it where you want it, apply clear wax first.
This provides a buffer so the dark wax does not appear uneven. I use old lint free t-shirts to apply and buff the wax, but you can use brushes.
Apply one thin layer of clear wax and buff. Then apply the dark wax using a separate cloth. Use circular motions doing one section at a time. Buff with a clean cloth to bring up the shine.
If you get too much dark wax in one area, it can be removed by rubbing clear wax over it.
I painted the mirror in my basement where the lighting is not the best for taking photos, but you can still see the difference between how dark wax and clear wax look over the dried paint.
Notice the damaged area I fixed? Since I used white Spackle, I won’t sand the edge to distress this area. If I did, a white layer would show up. I can use dark wax over it though.
To add wax over detailed areas, use a small stiff paint brush to push it into the grooves. Twist one corner of your cloth to a point and use is to buff the wax in the hard to get to areas.
To clean up the paint on the mirror I used a razor blade scraper and lots of glass cleaner.
I hung the mirror in my foyer. It looks nice against the stenciled wall.
I love the patina wax gives the paint. The dark wax really adds to the aged look of the finish.
If you have a piece of furniture that you love, but is pretty beat up, painting and distressing the finish can bring it back to life.
The imperfections will become part of the painted patina – perfectly imperfect.
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