No sanding or taping off your glass!
As some of you may know, I've been sticking to low-impact projects until Baby Boy Devine arrives in April.
Sadly, this means no ripping out baseboards for a while 🙁
But a paint job? That I can handle.
I saw this mirror at an antique gallery near my house and immediately fell in love. All the little details and curves spoke to me. Plus, it was the perfect size for our basement bathroom (turns out my husband hates the gilded look and we had to buy an alternate, but that's a different story).
I've never painted anything using Annie Sloan chalk paint before, but this mirror was just begging for the fairy godmother treatment.
Do I Need to Prep My Mirror for Chalk Paint?
Nope! At first I thought, "I need to protect the glass with painter's tape!" BUT I realized if you tape things off, you run the risk of missing areas with your new paint color. So go ahead and skip this step. Let the excess paint dry right on your glass. All you need is glass cleaner (vinegar and water also works) to soften things up, then scrape off the dry paint with a razor blade. I was afraid of scratching the glass with the razor blade, but it worked like a charm!
If your frame is visibly soiled you may want to wipe it down with a damp cloth. Otherwise, you're pretty much good to go.
My Annie Sloan Inspiration
Initially I painted the mirror some random latex paint colors I had lying around. First blue, then purple. I hated both. Then I found the following inspiration on Annie Sloan's website.
BINGO.
I went to my local Annie Sloan paint supplier. The owner and I hit it off (big surprise there; we both love projects).
Before I knew it I was headed home with two free samples of chalk paint and warm gold gilding wax.
Do I need to use Annie Sloan Wax and Paintbrushes, too?
Nope. I had an old can of sealing wax in my garage. I figured I'd use that before dropping money on the special AS wax. I used an old paint brush that lives in our outside fridge. Both worked just fine! The antique glaze was purchased at Lowe's. No compatibility issues.
The Painting and Gilding Process
I started by giving the mirror two solid coats of Paris Gray chalk paint. I waited about two hours between coats.
Once your paint is dry, take a medium grit sanding wedge and scuff up the edges of your piece. This gives it the vintage look we all know and love.
Next, apply your clear wax. Let dry for about 30 minutes. Then, apply your antique wax (less is more) around your carvings and other architectural details. If you add too much dark wax, buff it out until it's blended.
At this point you may want to add an additional layer of clear wax. I chose to skip this step because I didn't want anything to change, including the sheen.
Lastly, add your warm gold gilding wax to any raised surfaces. Start with small amounts and add more until you've achieved your desired look.
Two Alternative Ways to Blend Chalk Paint:
-- Apply an "antiqued" version of your first color. Do this by mixing your original paint color (Paris Gray, for example) with a small amount of Umber Acrylic Paint on a paper plate. Apply this new color to highlight or age certain areas.
-- Apply a color "wash," which adds a hint of secondary color without overpowering the first color. White washing is very popular, for example. To do this, simply mix your second paint with water, then apply over your first color. Immediately wipe off the excess with a lint-free towel. It will leave behind just enough paint to achieve a layered look.
The Final Product: My Cinderella Mirror
Are you ready for this?
Even though we didn't end up using the mirror for its intended purpose, I'm so pleased with the final result!
As you can see the excess paint was easily removed without damaging the glass.
Annie Sloan's chalk paint lived up to the hype (and the extra money). It applies easily and goes a long way. She has beautiful tones to choose from and the combinations are endless.
This project taught me a lot about painting techniques and I'm so excited to use my leftover paint on something else!
Have you tried AS paint? I'd love to see your DIY Projects in the comments area below!
Until next time.
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