Antiquing a Mirror Frame

Rub the surface with rotten stone or pumice. Rotten stone and pumice are both made of weathered limestone used to add sheen to frame surfaces. Pumice is a very fine abrasive that gives a glossier sheen, while rotten stone is a very fine abrasive that produces a shine similar to one accomplished by polish. When used together, the stones will produce a very high shine. Start with pumice and follow up with rotten stone.

Scratching the surface is an ideal addition when aging a frame. Over time, wood will expand and contract with temperature and humidity changes. Older frames will already have these characteristic marks, but a few household items will help create these in new pieces. Start at natural stress points in the frame, notably corners, edges and miter points. Use wire brushes, a razor blade, and screws or nails randomly scratched over the surface to create a random, natural pattern.

Hit the surface to create chips in the wood. As with scratching, chipping will add authenticity to the aging process. This gives the frame a “knocked around” look and an aged appearance. Use chains to dent and ding the surface of a mirror frame. Use a variety of chain sizes to increase the randomness of the chipping and create a more genuinely aged look. Hold the chain in your hand and drop it along the surface of the frame for slight damage or whip the chain across the surface for a more severe look.

Distressing is a way to add character to a piece. Though the amount of distressing will vary greatly depending on personal preference and decorative style, there is one thing true to all aging procedures. This is that any mark or ding in the frame’s surface should look authentic and not as if it was done intentionally. Accomplish this by using a variety of materials, application methods and pressure intensities to make the piece look realistically aged. This will make the frame look as if it’s experienced years of usage as opposed to being made to look that way.

Applying a coat of paint followed by a paste wax and topped off with a second coat of paint is an alternative way to start the aging process. When done properly, this system will create the worn paint look associated with older frames. This also makes it possible to change the color of the frame to match room decor.