Gold mirror

[Alliegid]

Hi - I've got a large gold coloured mirror - quite fancy with sort of burnished gold and darker gold background. It needs to be silver to fit in with my new colour scheme but I've no idea how to do this. Just masking and spraying it wouldn't work as then it would all be the same colour and it really does need the back ground looking more tarnished. Hope this makes sense. Any advice would be much appreciated :o)

[Mr Veritas]

You can buy Silver Leaf from art shops (don't panic,it is MUCH cheaper than Gold Leaf!)
When you have applied it to the mirror frame you can burnish it to make the raised parts of the frame shiny, and leave the background as matt (if you get my meaning).
It's a bit fiddly to apply but not that difficult.
Ask at an art shop as to how to do it.

[Mr Veritas]

This picture shows a mirror with a silver leaf applied frame.Of course this may be much more ornate than yours,but it does show what can be done.
http://thelavenderbarnshop.co.uk/images/catego ries/tf%20silver%20mirror.jpg
Of course Silver Leaf(being a very thin metallic sheet) is much easier than paint,as to wipe of the excess you merely use a dry cloth,where paint can get everywhere.

[Alliegid]

Thank you so much Mr Veritas, that sounds just the job. I shall go and track some silver leaf down and make a start. (I'm raring to go now :o))

[sabrad]

I agree that silver leaf would be good, I have used it lots in artwork. However, it can be a very delicate operation to get total coverage in a largish area as the sheets are extremely thin and light as air when handling. There is also a product called gilt cream, which comes in different metallic 'colours'. The pewter one is great for frames, you apply it a bit like shoe polish with a soft cloth and buff afterwards. Or have a look at this link, metallic acrylic paint. you could use two shades, darker all over, let dry, then highlight/drybrush the raised detail with a lighter shade. http://www.jandtblackman.ltd.uk/eShop/proddeta il.php?prod=LiqMetBaroque

[Alliegid]

Thanks for that - the silver leaf was a bit daunting! I shall have a go with the gilt first (just ordered some online :o))