I’ve had people ask me if I buy plastic mirrors and frames or pass on them. If they have beautiful details, I absolutely pick them up! Amazing friends, this oval mirror was about as plastic as you could get:
I paid way too much for it in my opinion at nearly $25, but I knew I would make my money back on it, so in the cart it went.
And I just knew all those ornate details would paint up so pretty! There’s nothing I like more than white for a simple shabby look!
Prep
I started this mirror makeover as I always do…by removing the mirror from the frame. This one was easy since the back was just screwed in place. I vacuumed the dust out of all the details as those can give the paint a dingy look if you don’t get it all cleaned out first. Then I gave it a good cleaning.
Paint
Next, I gave it three coats of Cotton for solid coverage, using my Best Dang Brush to get in those details easily:
I also painted the inside edge of the frame on the back, so that white would be seen in the reflection instead of that fancy gold.
Sand
Then I sanded very lightly all over using 220 grit sandpaper wrapped around and old sanding sponge:
You could also use the cheat distressing method if you didn’t want to see the gold come through.
Seal
I chose to seal with Best Dang Wax in Clear. I applied it using the La Petite brush and then used a soft clean cloth to buff off the wax:
If you buff a little harder, you can reveal even more of the gold beneath.
The After
Here is how this gold plastic thrift store frame looks now:
It doesn’t look plastic anymore!
And, it’s a heck of a lot lighter to hang than a wood mirror!
The details stand out a bit more in person, but I didn’t overdue the distressing…
These pretty details didn’t need anything more than a simple paint job.
You can also see that the gold coming through doesn’t really appear gold…
Quick and easy woot woot!
So yes, buy the plastic mirror!
This was a super simple makeover, but sometimes, that’s all a piece needs!
Another one done…only TWO more!!
Missed any so far? See them here:
$3 Thrift Store Tray Makeover with Decoupage Paper
Table Makeover with Transfer and Wax
$6 Thrift Store Mirror Makeover with Decoupage Paper
$5 Thrift Store Chair Makeover
$5 Child’s Coastal Chair Makeover
$8 Thrift Store Box Makeover & How to Apply Decoupage Tissue Paper
How to Properly Paint a Mirror
Painted Thrift Store Lamps & How to Cover a Lampshade
$20 Thrift Store Desk Makeover
$5 Thrift Store Chair Makeover & How to Use Silk All-in-One Mineral Paint
Unfinished Wood Cabinet Makeover
Painting the Smalls, Holiday Edition (Five of these pieces are in this post!)
Repurposed Headboard and Footboard
Vintage Secretary Desk Makeover
$3 Thrift Store Headboard Repurposed
Drop Leaf Table and Chairs Makeover
There were FIVE mirrors in this huge haul, and I’ll be back with the last one for Trash-to-Treasure Tuesday:
UPDATE: No need to come back! See how I really changed up the look of this mirror hERE now!
Hope to see y’all then! Have an amazing Spring weekend!!
XOXO,
Don’t Miss a Thing!
If you like what you see, there are several ways to follow along!
Mary Kaiser says
Wow, white for win!! It is so pretty now, and your right, it doesn’t look plastic any more! I love that it was so simple to do, but turned out so beautiful!
Christy says
Thank you, Mary! Yes, super simple…gotta love that! Have a fantastic weekend! XOXO
Pam Walsh says
Beautiful!!! Mirrors are such a great addition to any room. Where do you get the cheat distress item? Thanks
Christy says
Thank you, Pam! Yes…every room could use a mirror! I made my own distressing block with scrap wood and a knob, but you can buy one on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/3dOpqwi XOXO
Janice Holt says
So pretty and you are right, it certainly don’t look plastic anymore. So much easier to hang than a heavy wood mirror. Good job again. I’m so excited, I’m going thrifting with my 2 sisters and niece today.
Christy says
Thank you, Janice! Yes, much easier to hang for sure! Wishing you lots of luck today in your hunt!! Enjoy! XOXO
Cecilia from Georgia says
This mirror looks so elegant! Don’t you love it when a quick and easy piece works out and you don’t have a lot of time invested? You get a gold star for this one:)
Christy says
Thanks so much, Cecilia! Yes absolutely! Love these easy projects! XOXO
Maryellen Webber says
The mirror looks so beautiful in Cotton! I am going to give a plastic picture frame a makeover now! Thanks for the inspiration Christy!
Christy says
Thank you, Maryellen! Have fun with yours!! XOXO
Christina says
Christy you know how much I also love white and this is the perfect white for this mirror! Love the gentle distressing. This one won’t last long in your booth!!
Have a great rest of the week and weekend!
Christy says
Thank you, Christina! The simple white pieces usually do well, so hoping this one does too! Have a fantastic weekend! XOXO
Stacey says
What a difference!! Love it!!
Christy says
Thank you, Stacey! XOXO
Toby Peplow says
Beautiful as always!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Toby!! XOXO
Denise Cox says
Pretty!!! The frame reminds me of the “Home Interior” brand. Remember?? My Aunt had a couple of the larger pictures and I received one of them when she died. My Mom has three very large ones, as well. And, my cousin used to sell Home Interior. I loved their decor, especially when I was just married in the mid 80’s and didn’t have a lot of money to spend on decorating. I really love the ” Cotton” that you are using so much of !!!
Christy says
Thank you, Denise! And oh my goodness… Yes! This totally looks like a Home Interiors piece! Have a great weekend! XOXO
K says
Thanks for doing this mirror. I have one almost like it sitting in my unfinished basement and I needed to see it was worth keeping. Another project for the upcoming weeks for me to complete.
Christy says
Yes, definitely a keeper!! XOXO
Laurie Thurman says
This motor is amazing! I have a beautiful similar mirror that is wood. I can’t wait till it warms up here in Colorado to start my painting! You have awesome ideas!!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Laurie! Yours will surely be amazing! XOXO
Mikki says
Good Morning Christy! I’ve been waiting for you to get to this mirror. I accidently bought a very large plastic mirror, from an on-line auction about a month ago. I didn’t know it was plastic, until I went to pick it up. I wasn’t sure what to do with it. Thank goodness I didn’t pay much for it! I’m going to copy your process down to the T. Thank you so much. Beautiful as always! XOXOX
Christy says
Oh yay! Well I am so glad I had one of these in my stash so you could see how pretty it is painted, even though it’s plastic! I know that was probably disappointing for you when you went to go pick it up. It does paint a beautifully though! Thanks so much, Mikki! XOXO
Niki says
This simple plastic mirror, with just the right amount of detail; is refreshing and airy. White was the perfect color for this one!
With spring in bloom and summer coming quickly, I can’t wait to finish projects put off by Covid and cancer. I’m overwhelmed with where to start, and chalk paint is not my friend. 😩
I can’t help but wonder which of the two left you will share with us on Tuesday. God bless Christy, have a wonderful rest of your week!
Christy says
Thanks so much, Niki! It sounds like you deserve a break and could use a creative outlet right about now. Just start painting…even without a plan in mind, and the ideas will surely follow. I’ll be sharing the mirror on Tuesday…hope to see you then! Enjoy your weekend! XOXO
Joni Gonzales says
OMG this is my bedroom mirror! LOL! I bought it in 1995 when my sister had her wedding photos done at my house so she could have that “looking in the mirror photo.” It was so pretty then but it’s needed a makeover for many, many years. Thanks for the push 🙂
Christy says
Oh funny! Well now you know what it looks like painted lol! XOXO
Ashley says
Who knew plastic could be so gorgeous? 💕
Christy says
Ha ha right?? Thanks, Ashley! Have a great weekend! XOXO
Addie says
Woo WHOOOOO….who wears short shorts???!!! Don’t know if you are old enough…but that is an old song…….wish I could!!!!
LOVE the mirror!!! There are real beauties out there in plastic and sometimes you never know until you touch them. This one came out perfecter that dresser combo!!!…..xxoo
Christy says
Ha ha was that the song that became a Nair commercial?? I work out first thing and those are my workout shorts…I don’t leave the house with them on lol, but I guess it would be fine to share them with the world on my blog?? Thank you, Addie!! You definitely can’t tell this is plastic now! XOXO
Addie says
yeah…that is why I don’t have a blog….I could not expose myself!!!! I wish I looked like you in short shorts!!!!
Yeah….that was on the Nair commercial and also it was an old song before.
The mirror comment got screwy…it was suppose to say:
“perfect with that dresser”. Too much coffee!!! xoxo
Have a good weekend!!!!
Christy says
Ha ha! Have a fantastic weekend, my friend! XOXO
Lizzy says
Beautiful. I recently purchased a similar mirror on FB Marketplace!
Christy says
Thank you, Lizzy! The plastic ones have the prettiest details! XOXO
Anita Engel says
Beautiful! So you didn’t need to paint with Slick Stick to get the paint to stick? Thanks! Love your work!
Christy says
Thank you, Anita! I would use Slick Stick if I were painting a piece of plastic furniture, but for something like this that will just hang on the wall, there is really no need! XOXO
Wanda says
This looks EXACTLY like a mirror I inherited from my grandmother. It hangs over our living room fireplace mantle. For various reasons I’ve left it gold. 🙂
Christy says
Oh awesome! I have a stash of gold mirrors that I am saving for a mirror wall and I like those as is. This plastic one was discolored, so not very pretty. You are lucky to have something of your grandmother’s to enjoy! XOXO
Sue Mellette says
The mirror looks fabulous! I love the distressed white finish you painted the mirror. And no, it certainly does not look like plastic, especially after you painted and distressed it. Staging is one of your gifts! The blue and white pops and the mirror makes the perfect backdrop! Thanks for sharing. Have a relaxing weekend.
Christy says
Aww I appreciate that so much, Sue! Thank you!! You have a wonderful weekend too! XOXO
Nancy @Artsy Chicks Rule says
Gorgeous!! And with those hydrangeas .. Oh my, swoon! You’d never know it was plastic! So good. xoxo
Christy says
Thanks, girl!! Miss ya! XOXO
Ginny says
Yes, you’d never know it’s “just” a plastic mirror. It’s lovely!
Christy says
Thank you, Ginny!! XOXO
Dottie says
I have this same mirror. It was my mother’s. I have been anxiously waiting to see what you would do with it. Thanks for the inspiration and step by step tutorial.
Christy says
Oh perfect! you are so welcome! XOXO