How to Paint a Mirror Frame Gold Easily

Transform an outdated mirror or picture frame with gold paint without having to remove the glass by using this simple tutorial!

Do you ever have an unfinished project due to lack of experience or uncertainty of how to go about it? Or maybe you think it might take too long? You probably want to use the most efficient and easiest method if you are like me. And still get a beautiful outcome.

I bought a set of weathered grey large mirrors for our open concept living dining room makeover last Spring with the intent of painting them gold. The framing was intricate and the thought of removing the glass or taping out the design was discouraging.

Guess what? It was so much simpler than I imagined and I’m going to show you how easy it is to paint a mirror frame without removing the glass. Which pretty much makes this a two step process! Sound good?

My first mistake was trying to use gold craft paint to lightly brush on a little shimmer. I was hoping it would save time and still have the look I was after but here we are months later and I still envision them gilded gold. Now that I know that I know it’s completely doable to change a picture frame or mirror without having to remove the glass, I won’t procrastinate in the future!

If you are new here, howdy! I’m a recently retired military spouse who moved back to Texas after being gone 19 years. I’ve perfected the art of rental decorating and overcoming challenges in small spaces the last fifteen years but now am tackling home ownership with a new set of challenges! I love infusing colorful global style with DIYs and furnishings in our one story 60’s ranch style home.

How to Paint a Mirror Frame Gold

*This post is sponsored by Velvet Finishes paint. As always all thoughts and opinions are my own.  Thank you for supporting brands that help make this blog possible. 

For this project I had the opportunity to try Velvet Finishes’ metallic line in a gold finish. I’m complete smitten with this paint brand and they have been my go to for many furniture projects. I also tried the pearl finish metallic in our foyer with a stencil and it turned out brilliantly!

You can prepare your mirror with painters tape around the frame and glass if you have an unsteady hand. Since paint streaks are actually very easy to clean off of glass you can forgo this step all together like I did to save time.

Step one: Use an art brush about the thickness of your mirror frame. Dip it dry into the gold paint and apply it to the mirror frame. Use two light coats for even coverage. By the time you are finished with the first coat most likely you can start again at the original spot for the second coat.

Step two: Like I said, paint is very easy to clean up on glass! For any mess ups around the frame use glass cleaner and paper towel. You can scratch off some with your nail behind a towel.

For mess ups close to the edge spray a Q-tip with window cleaner and wipe paint off. Cleaning up right after you paint will make this job quick and painless. I even painted my mirrors while they were hanging on the wall!

I love how professional Velvet Finishes’ paint looks after it is applied. The mirrors are absolutely beautiful now and reflect even more light in our dark corner with the metallic finish. I really couldn’t be happier.

If you’ve been putting off updating a mirror or old picture frame that is professionally framed. Just do it! You can have a beautiful finish without removing the glass every time.

And can we just mention how beautiful they look with my grandmother’s reflection? Hanging double mirrors in this corner also make the line of sight go all the way to the foyer hallway. It really is stunning!

They also pair beautifully with two wing back chairs from my grandparent’s old house that I had reupholstered in designer fabric for the open concept glam living room makeover.

Aren’t they stunning? Seriously don’t know why I put that one off for so long. Now on to tackle all of those other unfinished projects! What’s on your house to-do list? Do you have any frames that could use a little glam?

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