I’m back with another spray paint before and after! This one was a lot quicker and easier than the bar cart but just as much fun since I used chalkboard spray paint on a regular mirror.
Not only did I do another spray paint project, but it is another piece from a grandmother – this time, mine! This mirror was the perfect size for the end of our cabinet that houses the oven and microwave in our kitchen.
I love the shape and the detail on the frame, but the brassy gold plastic wasn’t our style. We also already have a mirror in here (remember the one I did with corks? It is across the kitchen from this area) so we didn’t need another one. I had chalkboard paint leftover from another project so I decided to use it for this!
First, I painted two coats of primer on the whole mirror – frame and all. You can see in this picture that the mirror part is still glossy and glassy. This will go away after the second coat!
After the primer dried, I sprayed two coats of chalkboard paint on the mirror. I did the inside first because I figured it would be easier to cover up this part while spraying the frame. (Hindsight? It didn’t really matter, I still have touch-ups to do.)
I used newspaper and Green Frog tape to cover the chalkboard paint while spraying the frame with a gray spray paint. I should have been more careful about how I taped it off and need to go back to do some touch-ups on the edge but I’m trying not to stress out about it…trying…
Once the whole thing was dry, it was time to hang the new ‘mirror’ up! The trick for using an object you’ve just sprayed with chalkboard spray paint is to lightly color the whole area with chalk. This will prevent your first words from setting in and always showing on the newly painted surface.
And here she is! I love it so much. The color, the shape, the everything – it is exactly what I wanted and needed in this area. Right now, I have a partial to-do list written out. If you saw my real to-do list for our house, you might freak out. I can only look every once in a while – hah!
The one thing I wish I had included was magnetic paint. I would love to be able to hang a paper list on here as well as write in chalk but the price of magnetic paint is absolutely ridiculous! (no, you’re not seeing things. The last item on the list is to have a glass of wine. This is a must after doing these projects!)
Here is a final look at the before and after of this project. I love that something like an inexpensive mirror can turn into a fancy looking chalkboard! Let me know if you’ve ever tried something like this; I would love to see it.
The Steen Style 
You, my namesake, are very creative! Laura Ivy
Awesome!!! I needed a chalkboard for my spice and tea store and didn’t want the generic ones that sell online for HUGE bucks. Glad I found your idea as I a pictureless frame waiting in the wings for something to happen to it 🙂 Thank you for sharing! Cheers!
Anyone who wants this look but with a magnetic surface, skip the magnetic paint and cut a piece of sheet metal to size (being careful and wearing heavy-duty work gloves). This way you can paint the frame and metal separately and save time on masking/touch-ups. You’ll also save money because mirrors can get expensive (and heavy!). Benjamin Moore announced that they are coming out with a chalkboard paint that can be tinted to any Benjamin Moore color–time to think outside of black!
Love it! What kind of primer did you use? How long do you wait between coats of primer and then in between chalk board coats?
Thank you! I used the Rustoleum spray primer and since I’m very impatient, waited only an hour between coats. I can’t stand waiting for more than an hour or two to finish painting something!
Thanks for the quick reply. I tried roll on chalkboard rustoleum paint on a mirror without primer. Waited an hour to re coat and the first coat started to peel and separate. Now I just have a clumpy mess. Maybe should’ve primed first.
Yes, definitely recommend using primer for most projects especially with a special type of paint. Have you tried to sand off the old paint? I would try to sand it off and then start again with primer. Hope this helps!
Do you think I could use 100% acrylic primer? It’s what I have lying sound the house right now
I’m not sure about that. I’m just used to latex paints.
I have a question! I read what you did on here, so I bought the primer and applied two coats of primer to my mirror. Then I used the chalkboard spray, and I’ve waited over 24 hours for it to dry. But it is all crumbly on the surface, and when I ran my finger across it, the chalkboard paint just crumbled off the surface. Should I have used the chalkboard paint in a can and used a brush? I wonder why the spray didnt stick?
Hmm…I’m not sure. What kind of primer did you use? Sometimes I’ve used bad ones that ruin a project. Did you use two coats of the chalkboard spray paint?
Hi, this looks great! I bought some cheap mirrors to do my own project, and when I went to pick up chalkboard paint, the guy at the paint store told me it probably wouldn’t stick to mirrors because the surface is too smooth– paint needs a bit of texture to hang on to. I really like the mirrors I got though, and since it worked for you, I was thinking I’d disregard the paint man’s advice and do it anyway. How has your chalkboard held up over time? Does it scratch off at all when you write on it? Do you think the two coats of primer should be enough to make it stick?
How would you recommend taping off the mirror to make sure there are no touch ups needed? I’ve had a hard time with this! I can’t take the mirror apart because it is a very old mirror and it is attached to the frame. Any tips would be greatly appreciated!
Hi Jessie,
I would put several layers of newspaper on the mirror and hold it down using painter’s tape. That should protect it from any spray from the frame. Good luck!
Great Idea..I have a mirror just like that, only a bit smaller, lying around here. And I just made it within 5 minutes. I did not spray paint it though..I had some chalkboard wall sticker left and I made it with that..awesome idea! I just love it!