How can I tone down a mirrow frame that is too bright and brassy of a gold color?

Question

It is a large mirror - very heavy with a carved wood frame. The design is not intricate or ornate, but rather, more of an '80's Spanish furniture motif - if you remember that look. Kind of rustic and knobby. I'm sure it was originally a dark wood, but someone painted it white.

My daughter worked on it, but I am not pleased with the result. I wanted a dark, antiqued gold or a burnished gold with some subtle darker shadings to highlight the knobby swirls and lines of the carvings. I don't want it just a solid gold - I want it toned down. She has worked with antique gold, burnt umber, and sienna colors, but the frame is still too brassy and bright.

I don't want to scrap it, because it is a nice, heavy piece. I couldn't replace the quality without spending big $$$$. Help?

Answer 1

Try spray painting it black, and wiping most of it off, while wet. This may give a more " antique " look.

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

First I would sand the whole thing down,then prime it, and then paint it a deep antique gold, and then paint first with a dark brown bronze paint then go over it and sponge it in all the crevisis. But you need the proper paint for a project like that. So, I would go to ACE Hardware, or True Value or Home Depot and explain to a salesperson in the paint department what you are trying to achieve, and they may show you a kit that will give you what you want. Under any circumstances should you throw away that mirror, it is worth alot of money. Vintage mirrors are very expensive in today's market. Good Luck

Answer 4

Try a base coat in a color about the color you want or slightly darker. Then they have this gold or brass leafing cream in the paint area of craft stores. It will pick up the details of the wood work without being too much. Our craft store has handouts on how tos, but the directions are also pretty good.

Good luck

Answer 5

multi-step finishing, to be sure.. start with a base coat, covering everything, than a light coat of complimentary color, thinned by 25% solvent (or water, if it's latex paint). you could do this several times with different colors.. (just be sure that you leave areas of the previous color showing through). then blot some of that color off with a rag. then, cover again with a darker color and wipe down some if that color, leaving it in the details. after all of that, spray with a coat of low-gloss clear coat, like polyurethane. could be very cool looking..

good luck!

Answer 6

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