How to Spray Paint A Mirror Frame – A Perfect Beginner DIY project

Do you have a picture frame or an old mirror in your house that’s in a closet because it’s too ugly? You can change the way it looks in about 30 minutes. You will be surprised at the difference a little spray paint can make. Read on to learn how to spray paint a mirror frame in 30 minutes.

I have a GOLD mirror that’s been sitting in my garage for months. I need a full-length mirror in my house (we don’t have one). The mirror I’m painting is from The Bombay Company. Does anyone remember that store? Unfortunately it closed a long time ago.

The mirror has a beveled edge, so it’s a little nicer than just the average mirror I could get from Target. That’s why it’s worth re-purposing.

Do you have an old picture frame or mirror that you’d like to transform? If so, follow along with this tutorial. The painting only takes about 10 minutes. Another project that I procrastinated about that in reality took so little time.

Supplies Needed to Spray Paint a Mirror Frame

The most important part when you spray paint a mirror frame isn’t the paint, it’s the prep. If you are going to spray paint a frame you will need to use painter’s tape or frog tape, brown paper, cardboard or drop cloth and paint.

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• Frog tape – Frog tape sticks better than blue painters tape, so it’s worth a few cents extra.
• Can of spray paint – I used a flat black.
• Brown paper – You could use newspaper or anything to cover the surface of the mirror (or glass)
• Mirror or Frame that you want to re-purpose. If you can’t find one at a yard sale, here is an inexpensive full-length large mirror on Amazon that you could glue wood trim around. It’s so much cheaper than getting one with wood trim. It even has a beveled edge.

Prep For Spray Painting A Framed Mirror

The first step in any painting project is to clean the surface you are about to paint. If the surface is greasy, be sure to use something to degrease like Krud Kutter. Let your project dry completely. If it’s just dusty use a damp cloth.

The second step is to tape off the edges with painter’s tape. Tape around all the edges, especially if your frame has lots of layers to it and not just a flat surface. This might mean that you have to apply tiny bits of tape to fill in gaps. It will become clear once you start spraying why this is necessary.

Step Three – Lay your mirror or frame flat on the ground. Protect the surface of the mirror or glass if you are painting a frame, the mirror itself. The best way to do this is to tape brown paper over the mirror.

I learned the hard way that just laying a piece of paper over the mirror is not enough. Spray gets under the paper. The good news is that you can wipe it off with Windex or glass cleaner and some elbow grease.

Step Four – Be sure you have good ventilation. Spray paint projects are best done outdoors.

Applying Spray Paint – Tips For Success

The beauty of spray paint is that you don’t need a coat of primer. Always shake your spray paint before you begin. Spray the surfaces that face up first.

Next, get down close and look in all the nooks and crannies. Spray all the edges of the frame you missed and the sides. You can wait for the paint to dry from the first round before you do this if you don’t want to get paint on your hands.

It was approximately 115 degrees in my garage, so I went for it before waiting for anything to dry. I just squatted down and sprayed against the ground. You need to protect the floor or table you are spraying against because the spray travels farther than you think.

The secret to getting a smooth finish with spray paint is not to spray too much in one place. Move quickly and don’t hold the spray for too long in any one spot so you apply only thin coats. You can always go back for a second coat if your first coat doesn’t cover completely.

Remove Painter’s Tape

It’s important to remove the tape pretty quickly after you finish spraying your painting. That way you can remove any over-spray before it hardens.

Once you remove the paint you may notice a little paint got under your protective layer. I had a lot of spray paint ON THE MIRROR. The easiest ways to remove the over-spray are to use a paper towel and some Windex or a razor to scrape the mirror. Either way works better if you clean up your mistakes before the paint cures.

That’s all it takes to get a brand new mirror. Spray painting a mirror frame is so quick and easy if you prep your mirror first.

How to Spray Paint anything Like a Pro

Spray painting is one of the few DIY projects that even novice painters can handle with ease. Here are five tips for how to spray paint anything like a pro:

• Tip 1 – Prep the surface well. Make sure it is clean and dry.
• Tip 2 – Always paint over a covered surface. You can cover it with anything from paper grocery bags to newspaper. Give yourself a one to two-foot barrier around what you are painting. If you can prop up what you are painting on top of cups or a bench, that can make painting the sides much easier.
• Tip 3- Hold your paint can no more than 10-12 inches above the object you are painting.
• Tip 4 – Use motion. Don’t hold the can in one place. Wave your arm over the object you’re painting.
• Tip 5 – Many light coats will look better than one heavy coat of paint. Allow the paint to dry between coats.

Can You Spray Paint Plastic?

Most spray paints do not adhere to plastic. They bubble and peel off. If you plan to paint plastic frames, get a spray paint that is specifically designed for this such as Krylon Fusion for Plastic. It is also a good idea to prime plastic before you apply the spray paint. It’s a little bit more work, but plastic frames are so affordable that it’s worth the effort.

Other posts you might enjoy if you like to paint but you are not an expert (like me) are:

How To Get Spray Paint Off Your Hands

DIY Stencil Botanical Painting

Chalk Paint Tips for Beginners