Budget DIY Mirror Frame Makeover With Rub N Buff
For all my thrifters out there, have you ever searched your heart out for something super specific not to find it, yet to stumble across that item when you stopped looking?
This JUST happened to me when I found not one, but TWO mirrors that fit our mantel after searching for one for years. I bought both. I love a good DIY mirror makeover and today’s post is just that. Let’s tackle a DIY mirror frame makeover together using Rub N Buff!
A Tale Of Two Mirrors
I can’t NOT tell the story of the tale of two mirrors, so here it is. I kid you not, pretty much since we bought our home nine years ago I’ve been searching for a mantel mirror. Mind you, it’s been a search for a thrifted mirror for $10 or less.
While at the thrift store with the kids late this summer I found an old vanity mirror in a minty color that would fit above the mantel. Cost…a whopping two dollars. Sold!
The mirror wasn’t exactly what I wanted. I pictured something wider but it’s hard to find a wider mirror that isn’t too tall. The ceiling in the keeping room, where the fireplace is located, is pretty close to the mantel.
A couple of weeks ago while thrifting specifically for larger picture frames, I found another mirror. It checked all the boxes for size, cost only five dollars, and I loved the color. Sold!
The mirror was beautiful as is but had a couple of dings in the wood frame and spots where the finish wasn’t consistent. I knew it was a good candidate for an easy Rub N Buff mirror makeover.
Decide On Mirror Refinishing Method
There are so many ways you can refinish a mirror. From painting (chalk paint, spray paint, or other decorative paints) to stripping down a wooden frame and applying wood stain, or using other decorative finishes. I’ve been known glue scrap wood pieces onto an existing mirror frame for a wood mosaic look. Or even simple white paint on a builder-grade mirror can up the look.
Creativity abounds in the DIY mirror frame ideas department!
But one of the easiest and quickest mirror makeover methods is using Rub N Buff. It’s a metallic wax that comes in little tubes, like a paste. Rub on a little bit, let it dry, give it a quick buff, and your mirror has a new look.
Refinish Mirror
It’s time to breathe new life into that old mirror using Rub N Buff wax for our method of choice. Of all the refinishing methods, I would have to say it’s the simplest. It’s an easy DIY project to tackle on a gloomy afternoon.
Rub N Buff, specifically their metallic gold options, is a great alternative to gold paint. While gold paint is beautiful, Rub N Buff has this variability and depth of color that you just don’t get with paint. So let’s dive in.
Supplies
These supplies can be found at your local hardware store, Home Depot, or online.
- Rub N Buff (Amazon)
- Lint-Free Cloth (Amazon)
- Cleaner of your choice
- Painters Tape (Home Depot) – Optional
Tools
- Basic hand tools to do any repairs
- Sharp Razor blade or Scraper (Home Depot)
Make Any Repairs
Before we can wax the mirror, we have to do a little prep work. The first step is to make any repairs that the mirror needs. Some common mirror frame repairs include fixing the hanging wire or adding a new one, better securing the mirror to the frame, sanding a rough edge, or filling any holes.
Use wood putty and a little bit of sandpaper to repair any holes or gouges you want. However, filling holes or sanding out imperfections isn’t necessary. I leave most dings and dents since they give the frame more character. It’s perfectly imperfect.
Clean The Mirror
The next step is to give the mirror and the frame a good cleaning. This is especially important if the mirror has been sitting in an attic gathering dust.
Start with some water and soap. Using a damp cloth, scrub off those first few layers of filth.
Give the mirror a final clean with your typical household cleaner for one last round of cleaning. Wipe down not only the frame but the mirror surface as well.
Tape The Mirror (Optional)
This next step, taping the mirror with painter’s tape, is completely optional. Yes, taping the mirror to prevent the wax from getting on the mirror surface can be helpful. That is if your mirror is square. So if it’s square and you like using painter’s tape, tape away.
If you’re like me and prefer cutting in when painting and sometimes think using painter’s tape leads to wonkiness in your work, I have a method for you. Just use a piece of cardstock and tuck it between the mirror and the frame as you’re applying the Rub N Buff. Slide the card stock along as you go.
This method works great for old mirrors which tend to be looser. New mirrors often fit tighter together but it is still doable.
Worst case scenario, you get a little wax on the mirror. It’s nothing you can’t remove with a fingernail or a razor blade after the finish has dried.
Choose A Color
Now with the mirror prepped, it’s time to choose a color and apply the product. There are nine color options and they can be found in this Rub N Buff color comparison guide I made. Those handy swatch sticks came in handy when I was looking for a close-ish match to the original frame color of my thrifted mirror.
I ended up choosing Antique Gold Rub N Buff which is such a beautiful gold hue.
When picking a color for your decorative mirror makeover, consider where the mirror will go, paint colors and light in the room, and any accessories you want to pair it with.
Apply Rub N Buff
Now the fun part, let’s apply some Rub N Buff to the mirror frame. A note before we start, a little of this gold gilding wax goes a LONG way.
Start by dabbing a few dots of Rub N Buff onto the face of the frame. Using a lint-free cloth (or your finger), rub the product all over the wood. Get all the edges and even the sides against the mirror.
While it’s tempting to use a paper towel or cut-up t-shirt, I highly recommend using a lint-free cloth. Particles can get into the wax and can harden there, leaving imperfections in your finish.
Keep applying the product, going over thinner spots, until you’re happy with the coverage.
Let It Dry And Buff It Out
Make yourself an afternoon coffee and watch the paint dry…I mean…wax harden. Typically, it’s dry in under an hour. But depending on things like humidity and how thickly the Rub N Buff was applied, it could take longer.
I always let Rub N Buff dry for a few hours before buffing.
To buff, just grab another lint-free cloth (sometimes I cheat on this step and use an old t-shirt since the wax is dry), and buff the finish in little circles.
Remove Any Wax On The Mirror
Next, look over the mirror where it meets the frame for any spots of Rub N Buff on the mirror. Using a razor blade or scraper (I think technically they are for scraping paint off windows but they work here too), scrape any product off the mirror.
Be careful to keep the scraper flat against the mirror so it doesn’t scratch it.
Work around the edges of the mirror until you’re happy.
Hang And Style Your Mirror
Admire your finished product and pat yourself on the back for a job well done. Take that gold mirror and hang it proudly over the mantel where it was intended. Style it up and enjoy!
This project was such an easy way to update our home decor on a budget. It turned out beautifully and was quick to accomplish. All in all, this project cost me $13, that’s $5 for the mirror and $8 for the Rub N Buff.
Now I’m scheming my next project and other mirror makeover ideas. One mirror down and two more thrifted mirrors to makeover (the other recently thrifted mirror and the one over the dining room buffet).
So scour the flea markets, hit your local yard sale, and peruse those thrift store finds for your DIY mirror frame makeover project.
