How To Antique A Mirror | Thrift Mirror Makeover

Here's an easy way to Antique A Mirror using what you have on hand in your own home - bleach, and water! Today I'm sharing how I turned this inexpensive plastic thrift mirror into a distressed antiqued show stopper!
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[@kring7665]

Great tutorial! Just what I wanted to know. Just remember that the bleach solution used to take the backing off of the mirrorr, whenmixed with an ammonia based glass cleaner produces toxic fumes!

[@expressivedezien]

Vinegar? You said 50/50 Bleach What did you use to mist with Bleach or Vinegar?

[@ambrepighin8104]

Also, you should clean the bleach off the mirror with water first, mixing windex with bleach can also cause dangerous chemical fumes!

[@SalvagedInspirations]

Good to know, thanks Ambre!

[@stephaniereach7502]

It works!!!! Took 41 mins for the paint thinner. Very cheap. No more than 25 bucks for this looks. I'm so happy. This lady kicks ass!!! Lol ♡♡

[@SalvagedInspirations]

I'm so happy it all worked out for you Stephanie! 🤗

[@stephaniereach7502]

@@SalvagedInspirations I've made 2 so far and it seems to work alot better with thin mirrors than thick ones. But I love it. So easy to do and I enjoy doing it. Do you have a page on fb I csn follow and should you my work?

[@PoliticalJunky101]

That looks stunning. Great job!

[@AuroraMeansDawn27]

Great idea for the tiny spray bottle.

[@ambrepighin8104]

Everyone pointing out the vinegar/bleach thing, pretty sure she just mixed up words, she says bleach multiple times, so it seems bleach is what she meant.

[@tracys_plants]

Love this. I can’t find the shape mirror i want in a distressed, but don’t want a perfect shiny mirror on the mantle. Gonna try this!!

[@leettayarlot95]

A tip from an "Old stripper." When applying stripper, applying in one direction, not criss-cross. On wood, apply with the grain, overlapping as little as possible. Always use safety goggles and special chemical protective gloves. This should be done outdoors if at all possible. Indoors use good ventilation. Happy stripping !

[@SalvagedInspirations]

Thanks for the tips!

[@hendrikvanderwalt6960]

Stunning

[@mdhuff1]

Beautiful!!!

[@Purpurschnecke]

Beautiful! And very well described. It would be also cool to see a tutorial how you painted the frame, it is beautiful too!

[@3augirls]

Wonderful instructions!

[@stephaniereach7502]

Omg I love this. I'm actually doing this tomorrow. Thank you for breaking steps down!!!!!

[@SalvagedInspirations]

Thanks Stephanie and have fun! 🤗

[@stephaniereach7502]

@@SalvagedInspirations how long do I wait for the paint thinner to eat away the paint?

[@stephaniereach7502]

@@SalvagedInspirations how to I measure the 50 50 water and bleach?

[@stephaniereach7502]

@@SalvagedInspirations do I have to use paint thinner or can I use something else to get the paint off? My husband says the smell can make me not smell anymore??

[@susanz894]

Shouldn't use windex to clean off bleach. There's amonia in windex. Bleach and amonia make a poisonous gas.. Other than that, great video.

[@heartsdesire4u]

I love this! Great job and great instruction :) it's beautiful

[@SalvagedInspirations]

Hearts Desire Thank you!🙏😃

[@1mezrahi187]

Good job 👍🏻 love it will try thank you 😊

[@1mezrahi187]

Really nice 👍🏻 I hope you show how to paint the mirror frame .. that’s pretty also😊 thank you!

[@talal919]

Awesome ❤️❤️❤️

[@elliotwares]

Beauuuutiful. Love this. Great job

[@SalvagedInspirations]

thank youuuu! :)

[@lilybecerra2035]

Ty for great video!!

[@mariaelisaherrera5263]

Thank you for the tutorial! I would like to see the result clearer in the last part if it´s possible. The reflection doesn´t quite show the effect

[@annametochi7504]

Great result loved it!!what's an alternative for citrustrip if we dont have it in our country?i've asked in every DIY shop we have & they didnt even understand what i wanted to do or gave any alternative option😔 Thx!

[@janetteyful]

do you have a video where you show how you transformed this frame to the end result??

[@debbiesalyer4368]

Have you ever added any script behind to show through portions of the effect - am wanting to add old sheet music along with a music quote to one that will go over my piano. If so how would you recommend to do it.

[@trinawilliams1395]

This looks fairly easy. I've seen other tutorials that require special chemicals, face masks and industrial gloves. I'm certainly going to try your way first! Any chance that we will get to see the how you updated the mirror frame ? Its gorgeous!!! Thanks for sharing!

[@SalvagedInspirations]

Although I have nothing to compare this too, I find it works amazing. I also saw tutorials with muriatic acid and ya, not for me. :) And sure, if I do another project with a similar painting w gilding wax finish, I'll post it for you Trina. :)

[@trinawilliams1395]

@@SalvagedInspirations thanks so much! I'll be following in anticipation!

[@pfeilsusan]

How do you do gold vein effect with mirrors? It was big in the 1970s.

[@l2iowacowgirl893]

I wanted to see you painting the frame!

[@mahayoussef464]

Hello there .. thanks for the video .. How did you put the yellow flowers... from top of mirror as decoupage ?

[@karinmann4700]

Great tutorial! Thanks Denise. Just tried this and it turned out great!!

[@SalvagedInspirations]

Yay! So glad!

[@monicalara1115]

I like what you did - it would be so helpful if you would list items needed below.

[@loubnahakim]

Thank you for this informational tutorial. I need help, when I’m diluting the bleach (Clorox) and spraying it it’s not doing any reaction. I tried to use it non diluted, same, no reaction. Only if I pour it directly onto the mirror with large quantity, this is when it works. But this way I cannot get a subtle effect, only large spots of distressing. Any advice?

[@kimberlydrake8463]

Hmm...I know older video...just letting them load as they come up...did you do video on frame makeover? I will do a search...great result...thank you for sharing😊k

[@SalvagedInspirations]

Thanks for watching! :)

[@marciamerryman3587]

Was it 50/50 bleach and water or 50/50 vinegar please? Great illustration.

[@sandrinaiphonexi807]

Hi Denisse, I am an old follower for your tutorials but this is the first time I ran into a situation: you said the mix is 50%-50% bleach and water but later on you mentioned vinegar instead of bleach just when you show how the mirror turned out after this spry on process. So maybe it’s a bleach/vinegar mix and no water mix or vinegar instead of the bleach. Maybe even the 3 liquids in a 33% each one? I can wait to do this to a circle mirror so please let me know what is your best advice about the mix recipe. Wish I know how to send you pics of this and other transformation I dared to make thanks your how to tutorials. From Mexico, your work fan, Sandrina

[@ambrepighin8104]

Please never mix vinegar and bleach! it will make ammonia fumes that are extremely dangerous!

[@michellewhite6992]

Hi yes I noticed she said vinegar instead of bleach later on in the video that's why I'm looking through the comments.

[@stephanieoakley7509]

Did you happen to try vinegar I can't use bleach amd have been searching all morning to see if vinegar would work

[@creativegirl9710]

The final effect looks great! Did you refinish the frame or was it like that already? Anyway it looks good.

[@SalvagedInspirations]

Thank you! And yes, the frame was also refinished. :)

[@laurenpierce3312]

I stripped the paint off a brand new mirror, I did bleach and water and no spots, then I sprayed straight bleach and still no aging showing through even after letting the bleach sit for over an hour. What am I doing wrong?

[@creativegirl9710]

What is the vinegar/water mix eating through?

[@JM-ry3iq]

If I want to make it see through can I just rub bleach on it. Only ??

[@yanaherold6047]

What are you using to clean the mirror after the removal of the stripper. At the 6:57 mark you speak of a vinegar and water mixture. Is this correct?

[@360revolucion8]

I have the same quest ion as @Yana Herold Are you using 50/50 water and bleach or water and vinegar as you mention both in a pre-mixed little spray bottle that you used in another project?

[@s_a_r_a_jd2204]

She replied in a newer comment that either bleach & water or vinegar & water will work. I had the same question. 😀

[@madisonfaith6535]

I can’t find the link for the video of the mirror where the back doesn’t come off

[@franticscantic]

is it bleach or vinegar?

[@irenegarcia67]

Did I miss something she stripped it off then went to bleach solution but talks about vinegar and water, where is the vinegar part?

[@SalvagedInspirations]

Irene, you can use a vinegar-water mixture or the bleach solution, either or will work. You're right, I don't think I made that clear enough. :)

[@sandybrown2497]

Vinegar or bleach?

[@emanfarouk8905]

The bleach is 50% vinegar or Clorox???

[@debrapahl7573]

You said bleach & Water and then vinegar & water....which is it ?

[@katefoley8438]

1/2 bleach and water, or vinegar???

[@jylbek71]

So is it a bleach or a vinegar mix? You said first bleach n water, them on 7.12 you call it vinegar mix.

[@SalvagedInspirations]

Hi there, you can use either or but for this makeover I used bleach.

[@andreaparks8274]

First you said you were using 50/50 bleach and water then you said vinegar. Which is it?

[@SalvagedInspirations]

I used 50/50 bleach+water but vinegar works on some backings as well.

[@virginiaspindle8403]

U said vinegar and water. I assume u meant bleach and water. Right??

[@chattykathie7129]

You said bleach then you said vinegar. Which one is it?

[@veracollinsgorshe7169]

I'm confused... Is it a WATER & BLEACH MIXTURE or a WATER & VINEGAR MIXTURE?

[@SalvagedInspirations]

I used water + bleach but yes, you can use water and vinegar if you prefer.

[@deltatango6793]

Wait you said bleach and water then later vinegar and water …did I miss something?

[@dixiehurley3599]

I do not know why but you cannot see your results very well in this video . Just thought you might want to know that . Too bad because I think it would be just awesome .

[@SalvagedInspirations]

salvagedinspirations.com/how-to-antique-a-mirror-thrift-mirror-makeover/

[@renayarnold8295]

I noticed you said in your video that it was bleach and water at first 50/50 then you are saying as you were cleaning it or spraying on it I mean that it was vinegar and water and then you went back to saying it was bleach and water which is it that would be helpful. Watch a video over and you'll see where you say it that is vinegar and water that first you say bleach and water

[@vociferonheraldofthewinter2284]

That was my question, but I dug down and found where she already answered us. "Irene, you can use a vinegar-water mixture or the bleach solution, either or will work. You're right, I don't think I made that clear enough. :)"

[@sherryroberts7716]

It's very sad to think of all of the stuff that goes into the landfill.

[@SalvagedInspirations]

I totally agree with you

[@jungsomewhat]

bleach and water then turned into vinegar and water, is this the same technique that other famous guy used with water and wine lol

[@CrowBirdsMusic]

Where is the link to the video where you can’t access the back of the mirror? I have a mirrored table that I can’t get to the backside of

[@laurieagnes619]

You said water and bleach , then you said vinegar and water ??????

[@SalvagedInspirations]

it's an ooops! You can use either or but I'm using water and bleach in this demo

[@dynaordie8083]

Thanks for the info. Btw it's called "goop" not "gook"

[@bandm1]

Your accent! Where the hell are you from?!?!

[@SalvagedInspirations]

Greater Toronto Area 🇨🇦

[@laviniajanehollis4064]

Antique is not a verb.

[@number1neek]

It is now ;)

[@missvassy]

According to Merriam Webster it is. Try googling it.