Transforming a mirror into a chalkboard

It's the weekend, and that could only mean one thing:  garage sales!  Yeah!  I don't know if I will get the chance to go to any or not, so I am trying to use what I already have in my makeover projects.  A few years ago, I purchased a syrocco mirror at a yard sale.  What is syrocco, you might ask?  Well, it is a type of heavy resin like plastic, that was quite popular in the 1970's, I believe, and usually came in just one color: gaudy gold!  I am sure that your Grandma's, or your Mother's had a bunch in their homes!  Anyway, you would not believe how it can be transformed with just a bit of paint and tlc!

Ok, here is just a little teaser photo of the "after".  Unfortunately, I don't have a "before" picture of when I originally bought it a few years back, as I had no idea that I would be blogging one day (I probably had never even heard of a blog at that time!!).

So, the above photo is what it had looked like until yesterday.  Bad me, I forgot to take a picture of it while it was still hanging up in our bedroom!  I removed the backing, which held the mirror in place, and then realized "hello, picture time"!  So that is why you see the ceiling and our dining room chandelier in the photo!  Oooops!

After removing the mirror, I lightly sanded the frame, since I had used some Rub-n-Buff on it in my original makeover.  I was afraid that if I just painted over it, it might show through.  I then primed it, and followed with two coats of good old Heirloom White spray paint.  After that was dry, I used my Ralph Lauren antiquing glaze in smoke, just brushing a bit on with a foam brush, and wiping it off with a rag.  I really love how it highlights the wonderful floral details of the frame.

I know that some of you out in blog land just paint over the mirror with chalkboard paint.  I chose not to do that for two reasons, one being that I am putting this chalkboard in my Etsy shop, and I don't want to worry about breakage, and two, because the mirror had a few cracks in it!  So, I had hubby cut a piece of wood to fit where the mirror originally went.  After lightly sanding and priming it, I was ready for the chalkboard paint.  I have used successfully both the spray on kind, and the brush on kind, but my favorite way is the brush on one.  I use Rustoleum, which I found in a quart size at Lowe's.  The reason I like that the best is you don't have to rely on the weather for outdoor spraypainting!  And, with spraypainting, you have to be so carefully in timing between coats, and it's just so darn easy to get runs & drips.  This might not be such a big deal if the chalkboard is for yourself, but since I am making this to sell, I want to be extra particular!  I find that a small paint roller works best for the application.  Just make sure to overlap your coats.  I like using 4 coats, so the chalkbaord will be extra durable.  Be sure to use thin coats, & let dry thoroughly between each coat.

I used epoxy to adhere the chalkboard in place.  Again, just use a small amount, so that you don't get any excess on the chalkboard itself.  I really love how it turned out!

For the last few weeks I have been on the prowl at garage sales trying to find more syrocco stuff that I can transform, and wouldn't you know, it's no where in sight!  Seems like I used to see a ton of it at sales before, when I wasn't really looking for it!  Why is that?!

Hope you all have a great weekend!
I am linking this project to the following great parties! Be sure to check them out!
Flaunt it Friday 
Tickled Pink
Funky Junk Interiors