Mirror #6...Acid mirror tutorial

You too can make an antiqued etched mirror!

To start.

Mirrors are made with glass, then a layer of reflective material,

 then a layer of paint that seals it all in and makes sure

 the reflective layer doesn't get scratched.

So...because we want an antiqued mirror...

we have to remove that layer of paint!

Supplies for phase1:

gloves, scraper, stripper.

Next...there are a couple things I noticed when I did my mirrors.

1. not all mirrors are created equally.

Some absolutely sucked at getting the backing off...some were stellar.

some etched really well, some didn't...

2. The way the backing comes off kind of dictates how it will etch.

(like if you have to scrape it...it will look scraped)

Here's a couple stellar mirrors...there is just no way to know...

bubbles up, comes right off...minimal work.  

Remove entire paint backing
(if possible...but most of it at least!)

Next phase:

Muratic Acid!

I just put my mirrors down on the lawn

(there's already a dead part)

had the hose going on low...

So opened the lid and carefull splashed a small
amount on my mirrors!

I sprinkled out some acid on the mirrors and

held the hose ready to spray it off.

I did one mirror at a time...

Some mirrors etched very quickly...like 20 seconds!

One particular mirror, I left the acid on for HOURS...

and I still wasn't satisfied with the etching!

So there you have it!

Mirrors are NOT created equal.

They turned out great though!

Phase 3:

Fabric backing!

My favorite is a black and white pattern with a colored frame!

So there's a few of those...

Just cut the fabric (I even ironed it!)

And I used Elmer's spray glue to adhere

it to the back of the mirror.

 

  I love how the fabric PEEKS through...or how your reflection peeks through!
It's a mirror, but it says ART, not that you are totally vain!

 

 

 

 

Then you mount it back into your frame and presto!

A fabulous mirror!

I love it because there are mirrors everywhere, 

so it's fun to see some that are different and unique!

Thanks for joining my Mirror week!

Link up any mirrors, frames, wall art type projects you've done Here!