Will Any Spray Paint Make A Mirror
Professional mirror re-silvering is expensive and re-silvering shops are few and far between. A do-it-yourself alternative is to use silver spray paint. We examination the major brands and report the best.
Our tests show that the best spray paint is "Mirror Result" silverish spray pigment by Rust-Oleum – available in 6 oz cans (sufficient to silverish most 5 square anxiety of drinking glass. The closest to real mirror silvering is Spaz Stix brand "Ultimate Chrome Mirror" but this is only available in two oz bottles for air-castor painting.
Mod Glass Mirrors
In mod mirrors, the silver (or sometimes chromium) is deposited by electroplating straight onto drinking glass. The silver layer is then protected from scratching past a glaze of pigment. Read more almost the history of mirrors here.
Silvering is frail and prone to damage either past abrasion (scratching) or water (condensation) so very few antique mirrors are perfect.
Black-edge or other damage to silvering is very common on old mirrors.
Flaking on antique beveled mirror is even regarded every bit a benefit by some sophisticated customers
With impairment to mirror silvering being common, the question becomes – is my mirror worth re-silvering?
Our conclusion at Artistry in Glass is that mirrors are seldom worth professional re-silvering. This is because re-silvering is very expensive (unless you live shut to a re-silvering shop) and a new mirror is by far the best choice. See this useful table for retail prices of new mirrors.
The only exceptions are engraved, or especially shaped mirrors – like the Venetian-style mirror pictured below.
Tiptop candidates for re-silvering are engraved mirrors or complex-shaped specialty mirrors similar those in the Venetian style. Contact a specialist restoration visitor like Artistry in Glass to manufacture custom-shaped or engraved glass.
Antiquarian silver paw-mirrors are often worth re-silvering, considering of their pocket-size area and odd shapes
See, to purchase a new mirror or re-silver the quondam for more discussion
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Do-It-Yourself Re-Silvering
If you are on a budget, and if you do not have a local re-silvering shop, or if yous are simply a keen hobbyist – it is possible to go acceptable results, particularly on small mirrors, by using high-quality silverish spray paints.
Nosotros carefully tested a range of unremarkably available paints, mainly from the Krylon and Rust-Oleum companies to determine which ones requite the best results.
Our tests show that the closest to real mirror silvering is given by Spaz Stix brand "Ultimate Chrome Mirror", but nigh as skillful, and much improve value for money is our top pick – "Mirror Issue" argent spray paint by Rust-Oleum – available in half-dozen oz cans (sufficient to silver about 5 foursquare feet of glass).
The Spray Paints We Tested
Results of Test with Spray Paint Prices
| MAKER | Brand | VOL OZ | Cost/OZ | Mirror Quality | # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spaz Stix | Ultimate Mirror Chrome | 2 | $vii.50 | Best | ane |
| Rust-Oleum | Mirror Effect | six | $ii.25 | Close Second | 2 |
| Krylon | Looking Drinking glass Silver | 6 | $i.66 | Third | 3 |
| Krylon | Special Purpose Metal | 11 | $1.41 | Matte Silverish | iv |
| Krylon | Premium Metallic | eight | $2.25 | Matte Silver | 5 |
| Krylon | Foil Metallic Silver | eight | $1.66 | Matte Silver | 6 |
| Rust-Oleum | Bright Coat Metallic End | 11 | $1.xviii | Matte Silver | seven |
| Rust-Oleum | Metallic Silvery | 11 | $0.67 | Matte Silver | 8 |
All the spray paints come in aerosol cans available from hardware stores or on Amazon, except paint #1 – "Ultimate Mirror Chrome" which is a liquid for airbrush painting and is designed mainly for model-making hobbyists.
Recall to follow health and safety precautions when using volatile and flammable aerosol paints.
Notation that the coverage for these silver spray paints is between i and two foursquare anxiety per ounce.
Testing Process
Using 1/4″ thick standard clear mirror, nosotros remove the paint and the silver and prepare clear strips to test the spray paints and compare them to clear mirror.
Removing the Protective Paint
Mirror pigment is tough, and eco-friendly, low-VOC strippers practise non piece of work. We recommend a potent paint stripper like 2 Minute Remover from the Sunnyside Company (bachelor at Ace Hardware or Amazon).
Ii applications of stripper were necessary to remove the paint from this 8-inch by iii-inch piece of modern mirror.
Removing the Silvering
We used "Strip Silver" (active ingredient chromium trioxide), formerly marketed by the Armour Company but now discontinued. A currently bachelor alternative, composed of ferric chloride, is distributed by Affections Gilding and tin can be purchased on Amazon by post-obit this link.
Test Results
We sprayed the de-silvered strips of mirror and found that most of the paints produced a light silver matte-textured appearance.
About of the paints did not produce a mirror stop
#four Krylon "Special Purpose Metallic", #5 Krylon "Premium Metallic", #half dozen Krylon "Foil Metallic Siver", #7 Rust-Oleum "Bright Coat Metallic", #viii Rust-Oleum "Metal Silvery"
Comparison the Paints to Mirror
Paints #four through #8
Paints #iv through #viii all produce a matte argent stop like this instance #7.
The silver in all these paints is produced by finely ground aluminum and we retrieve the matte end is due to the relatively fibroid grain size of the aluminum flakes. The grains diffuse the light but practise not produce a reflective surface.
Third Identify Paint: Krylon "Looking Glass"
Krylon Looking Glass pigment, available here on Amazon, is our tertiary option because information technology forms a definite cogitating surface simply is much less perfect than our elevation two choices.
This might be an option for hobbyists looking for an antique or distressed-looking mirror.
2d Place for Quality: Rust-Oleum "Mirror Effect"
Rust-Oleum "Mirror Effect", available here on Amazon is the close 2nd best for quality but is our #1 recommendation for value considering the winner (beneath) is so much more expensive.
Utilise up to five coats, allowing each coat to dry. Finish by protecting the surface with a coat of clear matte varnish.
Nosotros found that the Best Mirror Quality is "Ultimate Mirror Chrome" Air-Castor Pigment past Spaz Stix
Ultimate Mirror Chrome pigment is actually fabricated for hobbyists to paint models rather than for silvering big mirrors. Simply if yous take a small mirror (like an antique mitt-mirror) and y'all know how to paint with an airbrush, then this paint made by Spax Stix will give the best results.
Ultimate Mirror Chrome paint is available here from Amazon.
Instructions for Using Silver Spray Paint
Edited from the Rust-Oleum website, these are the instructions for using their spray paint.
Before using Mirror Effect, clean the object with drinking glass cleaner or soap and water, then dry with a microfiber cloth. Apply Mirror Result in very thin coats, allowing the paint to dry for 1 minute between each coat. Apply upward to 5 coats to accomplish the desired mirror effect. For added protection or reflectivity, utilize a thin coat of Rust-Oleum® Ultra Cover 2X Matte Clear. For a darker appearance, use a sparse coat of Rust-Oleum® Ultra Cover 2X Flat Black over the painted side of the Silver Mirror Outcome.
Conclusions: Our Top Iii Paints
Best Quality merely for Air-Brushing
Spaz Stix Ultimate Mirror Chrome Airbrush Pigment 2oz
We used a standing hobbyist's airbrush to spray paint clear glass in our final test. Be sure to clean the glass very thoroughly considering whatever speck of dirt will show. Five sparse coats produce a very proficient mirror end. This is an excellent choice for small mirrors only very expensive if you lot have 2 foursquare anxiety or more than. Protect the mirrored surface with black pigment subsequently silvering.
#one Choice in Aerosol Spray Paint
Rust-Oleum 267727 Specialty Mirror Spray
Our all-time value: almost every bit good in quality every bit Spaz Stix make but bachelor in 6 oz cans – sufficient to cover about 5 square feet. Dries in 10 minutes – utilize 4 or 5 thin coats and embrace with protective paint or varnish. Can be used on drinking glass or plexiglass.
#2 Choice in Aerosol Spray Paint
Krylon Looking Glass Silverish-Like Droplets Spray Paint
In our tests this Krylon spray paint came second in mirror quality. Like the Rust-Oleum Mirror Spray, comes in six oz cans and the maker says will cover 7 square anxiety, Can exist used on glass or plexiglass. Use the same instructions as previous product – v coats, leaving to dry for v minutes betwixt coats.
Retail Prices of Articulate Mirror
The price of mirrors varies widely from shop to shop and in different parts of the US. Use the approximate retail prices, in the table below, equally a guide to decide whether information technology is worth your time and endeavour to strip and re-argent an old mirror. Notice the weights of the various thicknesses – consider choosing a lighter-weight mirror for easier hanging.
| Thickness in | ii Sq. Ft. | 3 Sq. Ft. | 4 Sq. Ft. |
|---|---|---|---|
| one/8″ | $21 (3.4 lbs.) | $24 (5.ane lbs.) | $27 (half-dozen.8 lbs.) |
| iii/16″ | $35 (v.1 lbs.) | $39 (vii.seven lbs.) | $42 (10.two lbs.) |
| 1/4″ | $48 (6.8 lbs.) | $54 (10.2 lbs.) | $66 (13.seven lbs.) |
To Buy a New Mirror, or Paint the Erstwhile Ane?
We have found that the try involved in removing the former silver and painting is only worthwhile for special antique mirrors – that is mirrors with decorative engraving or special shapes (like Venetian mirrors) or small, precious hand mirrors.
Carefully remove defective pieces (they are screwed or glued to the substrate), clean off the old silvering and spray paint. If the glass is chipped or croaky, tape the broken pieces together and take them to a company like Artistry in Glass to exist recreated.
If you would similar to preserve the historic and authentic engraved glass, carefully remove the pigment and silvery, taking special care to deliquesce all traces of old silver in the engraved areas. Then spray with our recommended silver spray.
Antique, silverish hand mirrors are treasured belongings, often handed down through the generations.
These are good candidates for restorative spray painting because of the pocket-sized surface areas (less labor-intensive) and their special shapes and askew edges (expensive to re-produce the mirror). Remove the old mirror very carefully before re-silvering.
Can I Disguise a Scratched Mirror with Pigment or Aluminum Foil? – Follow this Link to Find Out.
Postscript: the History of Mirrors
The beginning mirrors used by mankind were simply pools of night, still h2o in ponds or primitive drinking vessels. By the Stone Age, mirrors were fabricated from polished rocks like obsidian. In the Bronze Age through Roman times burnished disks of copper, bronze, or silverish were widely used.
Modern silver on glass mirrors dates from the discovery of the wet-deposition method of mirror manufacture by German chemist Justus von Liebig in 1835. A fine layer of metallic silver is deposited on glass by the reduction of argent nitrate. This discovery led to the widespread availability of affordable mirrors. These days the silver (or sometimes chromium) is deposited by electroplating straight onto glass. The silvery layer is so protected from scratching past a glaze of paint.
Unique Mirror Resources from Artistry in Glass
Mirror Design & layout
- How are mirrors made?
- What is a beveled mirror?
- What is a ii-way mirror?
- Best mirrors for bedrooms
- How to size and position your wall mirror
- How to order custom etched mirrors
- Best places to hang dining room mirrors
- How much do wall mirrors cost?
- Store the MIRROR Family unit Package
Mirror Installation & Removal
- How to hang a wall mirror
- How to frame a builder's grade bathroom mirror
- How to hang a frameless mirror with glue
- Best clips for hanging mirrors
- How to attach a mirror to a closet door
- How to remove a mirror glued to the wall
Mirror Repair & Restoration
- Should I resilver my antique mirror?
- Can I repair scratched mirror silvering?
- What is the best spray paint for mirror silvering?
- How to fix a cracked mirror
- How to repair a cleaved mirror frame
Meet our other informative repair guides!
- How to repair a broken china plate
- How to repair a broken prc teapot
- How to fix a broken marble slab
- How to repair a broken china coffee mug
- All about repairing stained-glass lampshades
- How to care for your stained glass skylight
- Is stained glass worth repairing?
- To repair or toss out?
- Tucson crystal & china repair a partitioning of Artistry in Glass
- What to do with cleaved antiques
Will Any Spray Paint Make A Mirror,
Source: https://www.artistry-in-glass.com/best-silver-paint-for-mirror-silvering-the-ultimate-test/
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