Mirror mirror

After spray painting my rusty lantern, I moved on to another spray painting project in my continued attempt to clean out my garage. I got this metal framed mirror/shelf a few months ago at a garage sale for $2. 

Obviously someone tried to paint it in the past, but used a paintbrush so there were brush strokes all over it. 

I decided to keep it white for now so it can go in any room. I used a Rustoleum white semi-gloss spray paint. (A word to the wise, you may think you’re saving money with the dollar cans of spray paint, but unless you’re painting something the same color, you’ll need multiple cans to get any coverage at all. With the $3 or $4 spray paint you’ll get better coverage, less dripping, and you may be able to do a few small  projects.)

First I cut out some notecards in the shape of the mirror and slid them in between the metal frame and the mirror to protect it from the paint. Then I covered the middle with newspaper and tape.

Once the mirror was protected, I sprayed it in 3 thin coats, allowing it to dry completely between each coat. The key with spray paint is keeping each coat really thin so you don’t get drips or pooling. After leaving it in the garage to dry completely for a couple of days, I brought it inside. Here is the finished product!

I love how clean and bright it looks now. I’m still not sure where I want to put it, but with the shelf I thought it could either go by the door to the garage for keys and things or in my closet to hold miscellaneous accessories. The total cost of this project was $2 for the mirror and maybe another $2 or $3 for the spray paint (I still have quite a bit left in the can).  Not bad for under $5! And it’s one less thing in my overstuffed garage!