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!
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.
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).
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 paint dries pretty fast. Once it’s dry (20-30 mins for this project), you can add the wax.
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.
For the dark wax, you just repeat the same process as before: brush on the (dark) wax and rub it away.
**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…
And I had several 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.
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.
Good luck!
Are you new to my blog? Go HERE to see my home tour and HERE to shop for items I use in our home.
Find me on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Pinterest
Click HERE or on the photo below to see more chalk paint tips and download FREE chalk paint tips printable!
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
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!
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 : )
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
I’m so glad the tutorial was helpful, Carol! Here’s another chalk paint tutorial – just in case you want to read another one: https://sincerelysarad.com/chalk-paint-tutorial/
Let me know how it goes!
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?
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!!
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!
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!
Hi Sara,
I make my own chalk paint, and it works quite well. I have a yard sale mirror that I want to paint white with dark distressing showing through. Hoping to sell it!
Hi Sara,
I make my own chalk paint, and it works quite well. I have a yard sale mirror that I want to paint white with dark distressing showing through. Hoping to sell it!
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!
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.
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).
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 paint dries pretty fast. Once it’s dry (20-30 mins for this project), you can add the wax.
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.
For the dark wax, you just repeat the same process as before: brush on the (dark) wax and rub it away.
**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…
And I had several 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.
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.
Good luck!
Sara, I LOVE how your mirror turned out! Great tutorial and pictures. I can’t wait to see what you DIY next.
Thanks Heather – you’re always encouraging! 🙂
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
Hi Jeannie! No, the mirrors do not need to be real wood. You can definitely use chalk paint on metal! (And it’s not a silly question!)
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!
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 : )
Hey Sarah D. Thanks for taking the time to comment! Great name, btw!
Thanks same to you : )
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
I’m so glad the tutorial was helpful, Carol! Here’s another chalk paint tutorial – just in case you want to read another one: https://sincerelysarad.com/chalk-paint-tutorial/
Let me know how it goes!
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?
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!!
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!
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!
Hi Sara,
I make my own chalk paint, and it works quite well. I have a yard sale mirror that I want to paint white with dark distressing showing through. Hoping to sell it!
Hi Sara,
I make my own chalk paint, and it works quite well. I have a yard sale mirror that I want to paint white with dark distressing showing through. Hoping to sell it!
I have never attempted to make my own chalk paint, but I love to hear that you’ve had success with it! Good luck on your mirror!
Adorei o trabalho. Conheci esta tinta a pouco tempo, vou tentar fazer alguns trabalhos. Obrigada
Do I have to use a wax after I chalk paint a metal mirror? Thank you.
Not if you’re okay with the chalky finish – it just depends on the look you want.