How to Spray Paint a Mirror Frame

Over the years, I’ve tried to find ways to make my home look more put together without spending too much money. I find that when it comes to decorating, mirrors are key. Unfortunately, mirrors can be expensive and hard to come by in some homes (especially mine, where there is little space). So here’s a trick you may not know about- spray painting your mirror frame! It sounds crazy, but it works. This post will show you how to spray paint a mirror frame!

How to Spray Paint a Mirror Frame

Materials

  • Mirror frame (new or used)
  • Spray paint (matte black)
  • Painter’s tape
  • Clear sealer or polyurethane spray 

Instructions

Step 1 – Begin by accentuating the frame with decorative tape.

This is done by placing strips horizontally and vertically on the frame until you achieve your desired pattern/color. Make sure to leave no gaps or holes in between each strip of tape! You can wrap more than one piece of tape around the mirror itself if you need to. Just remember that the layers of tape should be touching each other.

Different  Types of Mirror Frame

Step 2 – Once all tape is applied.

Use painter’s tape and cover the polka dot pieces completely. If you mess up on your pattern/color choice- this is your opportunity to fix it before you paint! Then spray paint the frame. Make sure to keep the nozzle at least 6 inches away from the mirror and spray inconsistent strokes until you achieve a solid coat of matte black paint on the entire frame.

Step 3 – Once the frame is completely dry.

Apply a clear coat of polyurethane spray to protect the paint job.

Apply a Clear Coat of Polyurethane Spray

Step 4 – Once all coats are dry.

Carefully remove the tape before your final layer of sealer completely dries. When removing the tape, be very gentle! The point is not to rip up any dried paint or clear layers, so take your time and try not to tear anything up.

You Can Check It Out to Thin Chalk Paint for Sprayer

8 Guides on How to Spray Paint a Mirror Frame

Step 1: 

Wipe down the mirror frame with a dry cloth to remove any dust. Then, use paper towels and some glass cleaner to clean it one more time. Let it dry completely before moving on to the next step.

Step 2: 

Place the mirror frame face down on a flat surface and determine where you want the holes to be. Then, drill those holes with a drill bit that’s just slightly smaller than the nail you’re going to use as your hanger.

Step 3: 

Wrap painter’s tape around the outside of your drilled holes so that it covers about a 1-inch section on either side of the hole. This will keep you from getting a mess of paint on your frame where it isn’t wanted and make cleanup a cinch.

Step 4: 

Shake the can for at least two minutes before starting to spray. After shaking it vigorously, hold the paint can about 12 inches away from the mirror frame and spray back and forth across your mirror frame. Don’t worry about painting the surrounding areas as much as you would for a typical paint job since they won’t be visible when it’s finished. Continue to do this until the entire frame is covered.

Step 5: 

After letting the first coat dry completely, you can add a next coat or two if needed. The more coats you do, the better and more vibrant the color will look when it finally dries.

Letting the First Coat Dry Completely

Step 6: 

Wait until your paint is completely dry to remove the tape from around your drilled holes. You’ll have a nice clean edge without any paint bleeding under the tape like you sometimes get with other types of paint jobs.

Step 7: 

Add hooks to the back of your mirror frame for hanging, and voila! You now have a beautiful new mirror to dress up any room in your home at a fraction of what you would pay to purchase it already done.

Step 8: 

Use a can of clear polyurethane spray to seal your paint job and protect the mirror frame from damage. This will also help it resist scuffs, smudges, and fingerprints as well as prolong how long it stays looking nice.

You can Check It Out to Remove Spray Paint From Glass Jars

Tips to Paint Proportionally

One of the biggest issues for people who are spray painting an object is getting the paint to apply evenly on all sides of the object. The finish usually ends up looking different from one side to another. This doesn’t have to be the case anymore. There are two methods you can try that will help minimize this problem significantly. One is the wet paint method, and another is to use a paint sprayer.

Safety

  • Check to make sure there is no glass in the frame.
  • Use protective gloves and safety glasses at all times.
  • Dispose of leftover spray paint can properly (take it to an e-recycling center).
  • Only use spray paint meant for plastics. Acrylics are best; Polyurethanes might work; lacquers will not.
  • Keep a fire extinguisher or baking soda nearby in case you start a fire.

Supplies

  • Spray paint in the color of your choice.
  • Clearcoat spray paint (optional). The clear coat is to protects your work from chipping and scratching when you clean it.
  • Primer spray paint (optional). The primer helps the color stay on and prevents discoloration of the frame.
  • First, remove any glass from your mirror frame. Then clean it with a damp cloth to remove all dust and debris.
  • If your mirror frame is metal or wood, prime it. If it’s plastic, skip this step and go straight to painting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can You Paint the Back of a Mirror?

Yes, you can paint the back of a mirror. It is easy to do, and you can use any paint.

The Process Involves :

1. Cleaning the mirror thoroughly

2. Applying a coat of primer or base coat on the back

3. Spraying on two coats of paint

What Type of Paint Will Stick to Glass?

Paint is a liquid that dries and solidifies on surfaces. It is usually used to cover or decorate walls, furniture, cars, houses, boats, metal objects, etc.

There Are Different Types of Paint Like :

1.Acrylic Paint : This type of paint is made from water and acrylic polymer emulsion, the main ingredients in the mixture. Acrylic paints dry quickly, and they can be easily cleaned with water if they get dirty.

2. Oil-based Paint : This type of paint is a combination of oil and pigment that has been dissolved in an organic solvent such as turpentine or kerosene. The advantage of this type of paint is that it can create excellent lines when painting on glass because it does not crack under pressure or when wet, unlike other kinds of paints such as acrylics which do crack when applied on glass because it does not have enough binding agents to hold them together during drying time and causes the painted surface to come off from the glass leaving behind a shiny film instead of a smooth finish due to lack of binding agents for acrylic paints when applied on glass.

What Is the Coating on the Back of Mirrors?

The coating on the back of mirrors is made up of a chemical called silver chloride. This layer was developed in the 18th century by Benjamin Thompson, who named it “silver selenide.”

Silver chloride is typically used as a tarnish-resistant coating that can be applied to glass and other materials, including metals. It has many properties, including excellent corrosion resistance and thermal stability.

Can I Spray Paint a Plastic Mirror Frame?

Yes, you can spray paint a plastic mirror frame. However, It Is Important to Consider the Following Before Spraying Paint on Your Mirror Frame :

1. Make sure that the surface of the mirror is clean and dry.

2. Ensure that you have some plastic primer handy in case you need to fix any minor imperfections with the first coat of paint.

3. Spray on two or three thin coats rather than one thick coat as it will give a better finish and prevent bubbles from forming when drying between coats.

Conclusion

It’s a pretty simple and straightforward step-by-step and is similar to painting wood. I used Rustoleum Painter’s Touch spray paint in satin nickel for this project, but you could also use Krylon spray paint for glass, which they claim to be made specifically for home décor projects like this one. We hope you enjoyed learning how to spray paint a mirror frame. If you have any questions, please let us know in the comments below! Do you want more DIY tutorials? Follow our blog for all of these and other great projects. Thank you for reading. If you have any suggestions for future articles, please comment below. Don’t forget to check out our DIY section! Happy building!

Check it out to learn- How to Cut a Mirror on the Wall

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