Antique a Mirror in 5 Minutes! No Chemicals

Antique mirrors make for a great bit of set dressing for haunted attractions. They provide a sense of disrepair that can really make a space feel old and neglected. In this how to I'm going to show you how to antique a mirror in 5 minutes without sanding, scraping, or harmful chemicals. The best part is that you probably have all the materials you'll need. This is a great effect for replicating mercury glass, too!
Thanks to Brandon Champlin for the suggestion to do this topic!
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#Halloween #tutorial #halloweenhowto #VanOaksCemetery #VanOaksProps

[@tressydoll68]

Everyone: watching your videos for Halloween prop ideas 🧡 Me: watching your videos for home decor ideas 🖤

[@micheleaipperspach3944]

That's exactly how my autnentic antique mirror looked. It broke, so I've been wanting to duplicate it. I watched so many tutorials and your's is by far the easiest, safest, cheapest and actually looks the most authentic. Thank you!

[@VanOaksProps]

Glad I could help!

[@horses2by]

Looks creepy and amazing

[@kathleensozzi2368]

Awesome tutorial!! You saved me a bunch of money not having to buy those harsh chemicals AND saved me time skipping those steps! Thank you so much! Now I'm going to go make something lol .... My project: An aged mirror with French hand-writing and roses (rub-on transfer rubbed on top of aged mirror) to match my chalk painted and distressed dresser with a different rub-on transfer on the drawers. Very boutique-y look for my shabby chic bedroom

[@VanOaksProps]

Glad I could help!

[@WVgrl59]

What harsh chemicals would you have used? Lol

[@CobwebsandCandlesticks]

This works with base/clear automotive paint jobs too. It makes a great acid rain pattern.

[@TLOEric]

Once again, amazing video dude. Consistently to the point and incredible results!

[@VanOaksProps]

Thanks, Eric! I always figure people just want to get right to it so they can get back to making stuff.

[@andrea_s6437]

Do you recommend sealing after it’s dry? I’ll be doing this in a side table. Thanks!

[@VanOaksProps]

You can, but it’s probably going to dull the mirror. So just know that’s a possibility going in.

[@kevinfinkel5536]

Love that intro music.

[@jack_a_roe1117]

Thank you! Of ALL the tutorials out there , yours is simple and effective. Needed this

[@VanOaksProps]

You're welcome!

[@NobleHays]

A dark green paint might also work, especially since most early mirrors are glass, a foil, and green paint behind that.

[@VanOaksProps]

Good tip!

[@heiditiredmommyartist4423]

This would give a chance to revive the mirror once this trend is over 😅❤. Very cool tho!

[@VanOaksProps]

Good point!

[@smokey6034]

Nicely done! Thank you for saving me from all of the chemicals.

[@leslieboudreaux5877]

What happens when you go to clean the mirror?

[@VanOaksProps]

It depends on what you're using to clean it. If it's something harsh, it may remove the paint. This technique is really geared more towards a situation where the mirror will be left undisturbed, and cleaning wouldn't be necessary,

[@LCLW63]

Wow!!! Not only is this much safer option but less time consuming & way cheaper cause yeah I have that exact black paint! Thank you!

[@angelfmusic]

Thank you so much for this tutorial. I mixed the matte black with dark brown and it came out superb!

[@VanOaksProps]

Awesome!

[@tinalundy7858]

This is so great thank you your tutorials are spot on!

[@VanOaksProps]

Thank you! Glad you enjoy them.

[@sjdinatree]

This is great!!! Exactly what I was looking for !!!

[@JonFlores275]

I can't believe a simple technique can make this look so old and realistic. Thank you for sharing!

[@VanOaksProps]

You are so welcome!

[@tracys_plants]

Wish I’d have seen this before all the labor intensive one. LOVE IT

[@kfx216]

Can you put anything over it to seal so you can clean? At some point, everything needs to be cleaned....

[@VanOaksProps]

Does it? Seriously though, any kind of cleaner will remove the effect created by the spray paint.

[@lilyh5413]

Thank you so much. I did it and it worked perfect and didn't have to buy anything extra.

[@VanOaksProps]

I love hearing that!!

[@eenn0090]

so good

[@metalgirl]

Good idea. However, I really like how the other way, with stripper or acid makes the mirror look. The translucency of the mirror after it it treated makes it look so unique. This way might be OK for a small mirror but if you’re making a big piece I would definitely go the other route. Just my two cents.

[@VanOaksProps]

That’s the beauty of all of this. There’s different approaches with different results so that you can achieve exactly the look you like. Thanks for adding to the conversation 😀

[@ransomdaniels8395]

And, you can clean the mirror without having to do the aging all over again. 😊😊😊😊😊😊❤❤❤

[@RavenVargas27]

Wow looks like an old and dirty mirror this is great for Halloween too

[@melmhoffman]

So awesome!! Thanks for sharing this tutorial! Love it!

[@VanOaksProps]

Absolutely! Thanks for checking it out. I hope it was useful.

[@brockburch6887]

I feel your ducking the most sought after haunted mansion tutorial.... The singing busts from the graveyard. I think I speak for many that we all want the Grim Grinning Ghosts. With that being said. I love your work and have implemented many of your tutorials.

[@VanOaksProps]

I’ll see what I can do about those busts.

[@thombreslin8675]

LOVED this. Subscribed. Genius!

[@VanOaksProps]

Thanks and welcome!

[@SusanneCape]

Brilliant, many thanks 🎉

[@chchance8610]

Wonder if I could give a light spray of gold or copper paint in addition to the black? Anyone have any thoughts? Thanks!!😊

[@VanOaksProps]

Absolutely.

[@paappraiser]

Awesome! We had to do this for a work project . Who ever was in charge had us use strong mix of dish soap and water in windex bottles and let it dry. Sprayed it, let it dry and wiped the excess off a day later. It worked incredibly well. . I still used cheap dishsoap as a masking agent to this day.

[@VanOaksProps]

That's a great idea!

[@TonyBullard]

A technique so nice, he demonstrated it twice!

[@VanOaksProps]

So really, it's antiquing a mirror in 2.5 minutes! HAHA

[@stephaniecollins6052]

I think sceunching up your towel like a ball of newspaper would have a better effect. And dont do more than 1 coat of paint

[@VanOaksProps]

Thanks for the suggestion!

[@schiraque]

does the color go away? because I want to spray a large mirror in the living room but I don't want the paint to come off when I clean the mirror!

[@VanOaksProps]

Because this technique is intended for props and not daily use the paint will come off if cleaned with glass cleaner/vinegar/etc.

[@Gigi-dk3kd]

Looks easy enough! I will be trying this method. Thank you

[@VanOaksProps]

Have fun!

[@RealBikerAtHeart]

Wawww, thank you very much for sharing this. Fantastic, I'm going to try this out tomorrow 👍 by the way... your choice of music is absolutely 👏,😱☠️🤭👍🏆

[@jasperjanderson]

Nice! Super simple technique with great results.

[@VanOaksProps]

And fast.

[@factoriamarciana3757]

Me parece una tecnica sencilla y realmente inteligente para conseguir un efecto de otra manera requiere un trabajo mas pesado. Me lo apunto y creo que lo voy a poner en practica muy pronto. Gracias y enhorabuena

[@VanOaksProps]

Thank you and good luck!

[@NickWalters571]

Quick and easy! I like that kind of project.

[@VanOaksProps]

Always!

[@jungsomewhat]

Well that was dire...

[@dinasmairat4708]

Just tried this and wow!!! Thank you so much

[@VanOaksProps]

You're so welcome!

[@susanz894]

It looks like the moon!

[@darrylrodrigues9060]

Great 🙏🏾

[@cecilianagy3562]

Thank you! This was exactly the tutorial I was looking for.

[@WolfTenor]

So easy a child could do it. Now off to recruit neighbor children to do this for me with the promise of spray paint and breakables...What possibly could go wrong?

[@VanOaksProps]

It’ll work on plastic too!

[@ToddWood]

You have a voice that of a Golf announcer but I can't stay awake long enough.......

[@VanOaksProps]

🤣🤣

[@audrianadelmonte6940]

Thank you for this!!!

[@VanOaksProps]

Any time!

[@33v4.]

The song makes this video even better????

[@Mslibor1]

Can u clean them in the future?

[@VanOaksProps]

Do you mean to completely remove the paint or just general mirror cleaning but keep the aging?

[@foreverfandotcom]

Remarkable!! Beauty is in simplicity:)

[@fordguyfordguy]

Another great one!!! Awesome job!

[@VanOaksProps]

Thanks again!

[@OCLVIG]

Your first pass, you could see some fingerprints at first. That can be a cool effect on an antique mirror, as children's hand-prints could often tarnish old mirrors.

[@VanOaksProps]

Definitely.

[@kathleentorres2010]

I messed up and removed all of the color on the back my mirrors, yes, 2 big ones. Would I need to get mirror spray for the back, and then do your method on the front? I started scraping the back and went crazy with it. I guess I'm stripping too much furniture and overdid it.

[@VanOaksProps]

It may be time to have it professionally re-silvered. Spray paint isn’t likely to solve the issue.

[@kathleentorres2010]

@@VanOaksProps well dang. Thank you for your response.

[@angieresendes3329]

Is this able to be cleaned? Thinking about doing my backsplash

[@VanOaksProps]

Unfortunately, no. The spray paint is too fragile for cleaners.

[@chattykathie7129]

Is it permanent? Once it dries can you clean your mirror with windex

[@VanOaksProps]

It’s a somewhat fragile paint finish, so you’ll want to be EXTREMELY gentle when cleaning. This technique is really more appropriate for movies/tv/haunted attractions where the dustier it gets, the better it looks.

[@acarguycandreamright634]

Do you do all your filming on a phone? How about editing? Just curious.

[@VanOaksProps]

95% filming on iPhone 11 Pro Max, camera 2 is a Canon M50 DSLR. Editing on Adobe Premiere.

[@ryanmcgrath9415]

SO weird...I just did this exact technique on a mirror yesterday, now here's the video!

[@VanOaksProps]

Great minds!

[@costumesforalloccasions]

Can't wait derek!

[@RupertFrankenstein]

Looking forward to it!

[@GregPackard]

Great idea Have a mirror gag planned this year!

[@VanOaksProps]

Can't wait to hear more about it!

[@Kat_Nguyen]

Love this technique.

[@VanOaksProps]

Thank you!

[@realmswhatwillbeyournightm8230]

Looks grate

[@VanOaksProps]

Thanks!

[@esmeraldagreen1992]

Brilliant

[@VanOaksProps]

Thank you!

[@krissybreda1080]

Great job

[@VanOaksProps]

Thanks, Krissy