Transformation from new to old
We have discussed before how indispensable mirrors are in the French country style interior. Old mirrors are both difficult to get hold of and quite expensive, so there are many good reasons to throw yourself into this small "do it yourself" project with patination of new mirrors. At first glance, it may seem like an impossible task to make a brand new mirror appear worn and aged, but it is not that difficult and just requires a little time and patience. Take a look at the DIY article on the next page and let yourself be inspired! We had bought a new cheap mirror and have then patinated it so that it appears old and worn.
Patination and painting of frame:
The frame, which here was originally painted gold, is painted over in a light gray colour. Let the paint dry well. Paint on top in a darker shade of gray over the entire surface and use a heat gun on the wet paint. The paint dries quickly. The places where a lot of patination is desired are heated for an extra long time and the paint now bubbles up in very large areas. Leave the mirror until the next day so that the paint is 100% dry. With a putty knife, the paint can now be scraped off in flakes, where it has bubbled up.
Patination of the mirror:
The mirror is removed from the frame, as it is the back itself that needs to be patinated. This mirror was mounted with a thin MDF board glued to the mirror, it takes a little patience to get it removed, but with a spatula and a lot of caution, it can be done. The back of the mirror has a gray film glued on, and at the paint shop we bought a paint remover, which is now applied in random places with a putty knife. It is important that it is applied randomly so that you get the desired worn look. Let the paint remover sit until the next day and you can now easily remove the gray film where the paint remover has been applied. Finish by washing the mirror for paint remover residues.
In addition to this patination, we have tried to create a patination with black and brown spray paint on the front of the mirror glass. It is sprayed on in "spots" in different places on the glass. First the black and then the brown. The colors must not dry between each layer of paint. While the paint is still wet, carefully pour acetone to completely cover the paint spots. It all runs out somewhat randomly to all sides and gives a really nice result. Here, too, it is a very good idea to varnish the patination areas with a matt varnish, so that the mirror can withstand a polishing.
