Learn how to transform a salvaged window into a mercury glass window pane mirror using spray paint and vinegar!
I love the look of mercury glass and antique mirrors, but the real deal can be so pricey.
So I figured out how to make my own — easily and cheaply using salvaged windows and specialty mirrored spray paint. And I’m going to show you how to make a faux mercury glass mirror from an old window.
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I always find old windows at yard sales, thrift stores , salvage yards and even on the side of the road. Those are my favorite because they’re free. If you don’t luck into a free one, keep looking. You shouldn’t have to pay more than $5 or $10 for an old window to turn into a mirror.
I’ve made a lot of these mercury window pane mirrors using this technique, and I’m always thrilled with the result. Maybe that’s why this tutorial is one of the most popular blog posts.
In this tutorial, you’ll see photos of two different ways to transform mirrors in progress — one made with Krylon Looking Glass Spray Paint and the other with Rustoleum Mirror Effect Spray Paint. Both work equally well, and they’re priced similarly. You should be able to find them in craft stores, home improvement stores and online.
How to Make a Mercury Glass Window Pane Mirror
Supplies
- an old window
- lead paint test kit
- dropcloth
- Rustoluem Mirror Finish Effect Spray Paint or Krylon Looking Glass Spray Paint
- Sandpaper (optional)
- Paint (optional)
- polycrylic sealer
- Glass cleaner
- Paper towels
- A spray bottle filled with 2/3 cup water and 1/3 cup white vinegar
- sawtooth picture hanger
Instructions:
The first step to making an old weathered mirror is to clean the old window well, to knock off years of dirt and chipping paint.
Be careful with this step, especially if you’re using a pre-1978 window. It may well be painted with lead paint, and you’ll need to be careful that you, your kiddos and animals don’t ingest the paint chips or dust. Before beginning work on your mirror transformation, I recommend using a lead paint test kit to confirm that it’s safe.
If you do find that your window has been painted with lead paint, don’t despair. Miss Mustard Seed had a great post on safety precautions when dealing with lead paint. I encourage you to check it out and follow her tips.
Following any necessary safety precautions, sand any loose paint, and use glass cleaner to clean both sides of the window.
Once your window is clean and dry, shake up the Looking Glass or Mirror Effect spray paint for a couple of minutes — until your arms get so tired you can’t shake anymore.
Now, it’s time to start painting. These mirrored paints have a strong smell, so do this outside or in a well ventilated space. I recommend wearing a mask, too.
Apply a coat of the mirror spray paint to the back side of your window/mirror. This is the side you’ll want to be facing the wall. Use a smooth, left to right sweeping motion.
Let the first coat dry for about a minute — then grab your spray bottle with the vinegar-water solution.
While the paint is still wet, spritz the backside of the glass with the vinegar and water solution and blot gently with a paper towel. This will remove flecks of paint and help to create the mercury glass look of the mirror. Work quickly, as the mirror spray paint dries quickly.
Apply a second thin coat of the spray paint, then spray with the vinegar-water solution and blot. Continue layering and removing paint until you have the crackled look you want. Make sure you check how things are looking from the front of the mirror before continuing with the next coat of paint and distressing.
If you prefer a solid mirrored surface to the mercury glass effect, you can skip the vinegar-and-water distressing. Just continue adding thin coats until you have the mirrored look you want. (Make sure to check the other side to see how the coverage looks from what will be the front of your mirror.)
Depending on how much character and patina the original window had, you may not need to do anything to the wood frame.
This one was perfect, as is. I love the original green paint and the chippiness of it! But the first window pane mirror I made needed some color.
So, I painted the wood frame on the front side of my mirror with a couple of coats of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint. I think I used Provence, but I can’t remember. It may have been Duck Egg Blue, or a mix of both. They’re very close, though Provence tends to be brighter and more vibrant, while Duck Egg Blue is more muted.
Normally, I finish my chalk painted pieces with wax, but I wanted to make sure to encapsulate the old paint, so, I sealed it with polycrylic. You could also use polyurethane.
The final step is to add a sawtooth hanger or hanging wire on the back of your mercury glass window pane mirror.
Then stare lovingly at your handiwork.
If you make a window pane mirror using this tutorial, please share a photo of it on my Facebook page. I’d love to see it.
You can also use this same process on glass vases and candle holders. Be sure to check out these other projects using mercury glass mirrored spray paint and old windows:
Sea Glass & Mercury Glass Votives
Taylor
I love this! This weekend we hung our “dutch door” that leads from our laundry room to the back yard. I would love to use this paint on the outside window (looking in). I was curious if we would still be able to see through it if we are in laundry room and looking out back, but neighbors can’t see in from the outside if the outside of window is painted?
antique furniture
I appreciate, result in I discovered just what
I used to be looking for. You’ve ended my four day long hunt!
God Bless you man. Have a nice day. Bye
gailpittman.com
After fibe years oof usage, the consumer caan brreak the platss and placee in
a composting bin. In thee United States, thesre aare manufacturer regulations aboout dishes sold as cookware, but in
other countfries you may nott have that protection ,so be cautious.
The leaves tat fsll naturally aand would otherwise bee burned are collected.
www.boatieblog.com
I don’t even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post was great.
I do not know who you are but certainly you are going to a famous blogger if you aren’t already 😉 Cheers!
sharlotte
Hi Amy,
I’m new to you site and love it! I was in the market for a vintage mirror but wasn’t having any luck so I googled making one. Your site was the first one to pop up and after reading this post, I knew I could do it! I did and I love it! Thank you so much for posting this tutorial, it was perfect! I made my mirror, posted about it and named you as my inspiration! Thanks again!
Sharlotte
Sharlotte’s Reflections
Atta Girl Amy
I am so happy that I was able to inspire you to make your own mirror. Isn’t that Looking Glass spray paint amazing. Although I’m finding it harder to find in my local stores…
I commented on your post, but I think your mirror turned out beautifully. It’s perfect for your bedroom.
ROHTOPIA | Real Organic Happiness
SO pretty! Thanks for the hint with lead paint, I certainly wasn’t aware of it. Love the pic with the Easter Eggs as well, very beautiful 🙂
Jenna
Beautiful, beautiful mirror! I love the old look it has! Great job! Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof
perelandra
Important safety note: even if you’ve removed all the lead paint safely from a wood surface and contained the waste properly, the wood itself is still impregnated with lead. I had my recycled front door tested after it was professionally (and very carefully) stripped, and it was still every bit as contaminated as it was before it was stripped. I chose to seal it with another finish and keep it anyway, but I don’t have children at home. If I had crawlers or (ahem) dynamic, kinesthetic children like I was, well … I’d probably have chosen differently.
Any time the wood is disturbed (by sanding, scraping, damage) the lead is made available again. Make sure you are aware of this risk when recycling old doors and windows, it doesn’t take much lead to contaminate an area the size of a football field (Imagine the contents of a sugar packet in that football field), and there really are no safe levels for lead in the human body. Mirrors are probably safer than doors because they’re not designed to move and therefore don’t suffer the friction of swinging or sliding open on wearing surfaces, but just a public safety announcement for anyone who would like to have this information before they start a project.
Amy
This is great information. Thank you for sharing. I had no idea that a door could still test positive for lead after the old finish has been encapsulated or sealed. Definitely something to consider. And that sugar packet in a football field example is eye-opening.
I am always more careful with my kid than myself, but I’m thinking now I need to take better care of myself when working with these old furniture and architectural finds, too.
Thank you for looking out for me and all the rest of the salvagers out there.
Magda
Is it possible to do it without glass? Ie on plywood?
Miss Charming
I love the looking glass spray. It really creates a great look. Wonderful job on your old window. It looks terrific and I’m loving the blue color on the frame.
Micki @addhousewife
what a great project. I really love that blue.
Atta Girl Amy
Thanks so much. That is one of my favorite colors. I probably have way too much of it in my house!
Stephanie
LOVE it – want it – gonna do it. A terrific project.
Atta Girl Amy
Thanks so much. I liked this project so much, I made another mirror. In a darker blue. I’m addicted.
debbie
I was wondering how you did this too. Thanks for sharing. It really is neat.
Atta Girl Amy
Thanks so much. It was fun to do. Great project for a sunny day!
debbie
I was wondering myself how you did that. Fantastic, I love it.
Lorrie
It looks beautiful just like I pictured it! lol, you see I have an window just like that, and I’ve been searching for that paint to do the exact same thing, where did you get the paint, I can’t seem to find it.
admin
I found my paint at Hobby Lobby and Michael’s. They don’t sell it at Home Depot and Lowe’s, or not that I could find. Online, I believe you can order it from Amazon. Sorry for being so late in replying. Your comment went to spam for some reason.
Inspire Me Heather
That came out beautiful – nice job!
Tisha @ Delectable Home
Thanks for the tutorial! I love this look and would like to give it a try. Now I’ll just need to find an old window…
So glad you linked up @ the Delectable Home!
Bonnie and trish @ Uncommon
Wow..now that is quite a transformation! Love the color and just can’t believe how perfect it looks! great job! thank you so much for linking up again at Uncommon, we are so happy to have you and can’t wait to see what you have been up to this week! 🙂
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Bonnie @ uncommon