Paint

Chalk Paint Tutorial

Chalk Painting Tutorial | Painting a Mirror I’ve done a chalk paint tutorial in the past, but I thought it may be helpful to do a more detailed one. I love to garage sale shop, and I found this mirror at a sale recently for $30. (?!!) It’s hard to tell in the pictures, but it’s HUGE! Mirror BEFORE When painting a mirror, always tape off the mirror itself. If possible shove paper between the frame and mirror. Then, tape the paper in place. Mirror BEFORE* Next, prepare your supplies. For this mirror, I used Annie Sloan products: chalk paint (I actually mixed 1:1 Paris Grey and Florence) and wax (clear and dark). Cahalk Paint Supplies The great thing about chalk paint is that there is no sanding or other prep work (well, minus taping off the mirror). Just go for it! Chalk Painting Chalk paint dries pretty fast. Once it’s dry (20-30 mins for this project), you can add the wax. Chalk Paint on Mirror Chalk Paint on Mirror* Chalk paint dries pretty fast. Once it’s dry (20-30 mins for this project), you can add the wax. I recommend the wax brush. It’s expensive, but it makes the waxing a much easier process. I brush on the wax and then go back through with a lint-free cloth (aka: my husbands old t-shirts) and rub away the extra. Chalk Paint - Waxing waxing chalk paint For the dark wax, you just repeat the same process as before: brush on the (dark) wax and rub it away. Chalk Paint Dark Wax Adding Dark Wax Chalk Paint - Dark Wax **If you are going to use the dark (antiquing) wax, it is a MUST to use the clear wax first. The clear wax provides a coating between the dark wax and the paint. If you don’t use the clear wax first, your dark wax will stick to everything, and you won’t be able to wipe it away very easily. I like to distress my projects, so I sand. You sand AFTER the wax. I know it’s strange, but that’s what you do. You don’t have to wait for the wax to dry, but it can quickly cake up your sand paper. I went through a lot of sand paper for this project… Chalk Paint - Sanding And I had several helpers: Little Sanding Helper My little helpers I found that wax residue got stuck in the beautiful details. I used a Q-tip to remove as much of this “residue” as possible. Cleaning Wax You can add another clear wax layer after sanding if you want, but I find that I can just rub over the entire project and spread out the wax I added before. Also, if you want a more buffed project, wait 24 hours and use your lint-free cloth to buff the entire project. It will give it a nice sheen. FINAL mirror Mirror - AFTER Mirror AFTER Good luck!
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37 thoughts on “Chalk Paint Tutorial

  1. Sara, I LOVE how your mirror turned out! Great tutorial and pictures. I can’t wait to see what you DIY next.

  2. I am new to this and have probably a silly question. Do the mirrors you paint with the chalk paint have to be real wood? Sometimes I come across a beautiful mirror and it is metal.
    Jeannie

  3. I am inspired by your work and grateful for the tutorial! I have 2 old dressers that are solid wood but have been painted several times. Can I just go over the other paint? I really don’t want to strip them as I don’t want to use those harsh chemicals. Would you also suggest still using 2 colors of Annie Sloan paint? They are painted white now and I want them white but want the antique and distressed look. Your thoughts?? Thanks so much!

  4. Hi Sara d ,
    Just wanted to say that this tutorial is awesome : ) and I love how your name is Sara D and my name is Sarah D with an ‘H’ lol. Keep up the awesome work : )

  5. Hello Sarah,
    Love your mirror; I have a mirror in my bathroom that I’m going to try this on. Your photos and and directions are so easy to follow (I think ‘even I can do this’)!! I’ve never used chalk paint but have seen many things on Pinterest; it sounds like the best way to go. No sanding etc is perfect for me..
    Thanks for your helpful tutorial,
    Carol

  6. Hi Sara! I love this mirror! I have a similar huge mirror but it isn’t wood. I think its resin (feels like harm foam). I know that I can use the chalk paint on it but what I’m wondering about is the sanding. I’m afraid that if I sand to distress that it will expose the white resin? Would it be better to use a wet distress method on this material?

    1. Hi Darci,

      My mirror isn’t real wood, but I’m not sure what it is! However, you could lightly distress and show whatever color the mirror is currently painted or use dark wax to make it look antiqued/distressed. Another option is to paint the mirror with two different colors and lightly sand to reveal the color under. However, I would first try a dark wax (over a clear wax), and this may give you the look you’re looking for without needing to sand. Good luck!!

  7. I sand a little first even though chalk paint enthusiasts say one doesn’t need to.
    It helps me get acquainted with the piece and think where i want to distress it. And it does help paint to adhere, gets rid of soil and old finish and just helps.

    And i think the waxing afterward is harder than any prep can be! I. did an entire bedroom including an eight drawer dresser. The flat surfaces required great skill in waxing so I bought a car buffer for $30.

    My next project, eight dining room chairs with intricate carving, in time for Thanksgiving!

    1. Hi Stella, I love that you sand to get acquainted with the piece. That’s brilliant because you really have one shot when you are distressing. Also, I love the car buffer suggestion. Good luck on your dining room chairs. I’m sure they’ll be gorgeous!