Tape off the mirror portion with painters tape.Spray paint them with Rustoleums 2x in a metal finish to your desired taste. Did you ever make decorations for your own house? To re-silver an old mirror you must remove it from its frame, strip it down … Small size is expertly crafted of glass, MDF (medium density fiberboard) and foil with a silver hand applied lacquered paint finish. That just seems to be the nature of the foil. If you want to learn how to paint a mirror frame antique gold, try gold leaf. Read More…. Patent Silver Leaf, or Silver leaf backed with thin paper, is ideally suited for this type of project. I liked using the silver leaf, it’s an easy craft, and yes it is such an upgrade. The large size frame is made of pine wood and finished in silver foil. You'll find great options for lettering and lining, flat mops for washing on color, or dusting gold leaf. Remember, the above methods will only work if the mirror coating is spoiled. Great for all weather conditions. Using color at home or in the office - for paintings, furniture or any artistic challenge - takes a good eye, a little know how, and a creative imagination. Silver an old frame into faux-antique opulence with a can of spray paint and some brushed-on glaze. Ideal for 'Flash Gilding', where you apply the mica directly over size that is at perfect tack. What's your project? See how the leaf goes on where ever it wants? You can also trim the sheets of Patent leaf with sharp scissors to create smaller strips for tricky areas. The antiquing of genuine Silver or Gold leaf is a three stage process. Finely crafted in the US, Europe and Asia. After that you begin the process of putting on the adhesive and the leaf. It’s hard to really see in the picture but the mirror frame was a heavy gold tone and we wanted to make the frame more neutral and diffuse the gold. You have completed your first piece. - Perfect for artists and craftsmen alike, these powders have many uses and mix with clear vehicles ranging from acrylic and oil based mediums to shellac. We have a, Light paint brush, small sponge paint brush. I purchased an oval mirror that I planned to use for my wedding. This ‘quick size’ becomes tacky and able to receive genuine or metal leaf after about 1 ½ hours and remains ‘open’, or sticky, for about 2 hours before it dries completely and the leaf will no longer stick to the surface. Now here is where it can get frustrating. This can be done on any frame actually, and you only need a few supplies. Mica Powder. Polished Plaster, or Stucco Veneziano, is a Traditional wall treatment that provides a glossy, visually textured wall finish. Thanks. Notice it’s not perfect? Shopping the craft stores for your next project is always fun. Use the light brush to smooth it on and once the foil is stuck to the glue, you can pull back your wax paper and voila! No need to spend money on unnecessary supplies. Read this site’s full disclosure here. I’ve chosen to use Genuine Silver Leaf for this demonstration, as I love the softness and slightly aged patina that results with a Silver gilt object. Once my frame is been suitable primed I begin by painting the entire surface with Charcoal Black latex eggshell paint. Learn how your comment data is processed. Polishing out the scratches and haze distorts the glass and the reflected image - like a fun-house mirror. The foil comes in packages with thin tissue between the foil to protect it. It’s rare the foil will do what you want it to do. Apply the leaf when the sizing has reached ‘tack’. 30 minutes is … Imported. If you hear a squeaking noise, or a gentle pulling on the hairs of your fingers, you are ready to apply the leaf. Spray an even, light coat of paint primer over the frame and allow it to dry to the touch, about 30 minutes. On the Rub n Buff the only prep was cleaning the dust/dirt before applying, then after I sealed it with a paint on sealer that I also use for the silver leaf frame. Spray paint the frame silver. Simply brush it on with a small paint brush. I’ll begin by lightly distressing the leaf, wearing it away to reveal some of the under color. Our natural hair brushes include Sable, Badger, and a variety of Squirrel, Goat and Bristle options. Applying gold leaf is called gilding. Now that I’ve Silver gilt the frame I will soften and smooth out the surface, removing any loose skewings and filling in any areas that might require it.