Mirrored Writing Desk: How To

After

before

Materials:

krylon chrome aluminum spray paint

polyurethane spray paint in semi-gloss

wet/dry sandpaper in 400,600,1000, & 2000

sponges 

soapy water

clean cotton rags

rub n' buff in antique gold

antiquing glaze

rubbing compound

mirror glaze swirl remover

car wax

Instructions

1) Lightly sand your piece just enough for the spray paint to stick.

2) Paint with the chrome spray paint. I used about 4 very light coats allowing it to dry completely between coats.

2) Spray with at-least 3 coats of poly and let dry completely. I let mine dry for about 2 days before moving on to the sanding.

3) Grab your bowl of soapy water, sponges, sand paper, and rags. 

4. Starting with the lowest number sand paper, wrap a small piece around the sponge and get it wet.

5. Very lightly sand on a very wet surface just until you stop feeling the drag as you go back and forth. This should not take a lot of time. I think a minute is plenty depending on the size of your piece. Be careful you can easily sand through your finish. Remember GENTLY, and watch the edges!

6. Repeat step 5 with each higher grade of sandpaper. wiping down in-between with a dry rag just to see how you are doing. With each step it will get smoother and smoother, don't freak out if it has a slightly "dusty appearance." Just be careful not to sand to hard.

7. After you have finished sanding wipe down the entire piece with soapy water and dry completely with a towel.

8. Apply an ample amount of rubbing compound and rub gently until it has all been rubbed in (follow the directions on the bottle.) This is where you really start to see it shine.

9. Follow with the swirl remover and follow the directions on the bottle. Don't panic if you see some imperfections in the paint, little scratches etc... its ok, we are going for the antique look. Just work on the shine.

Top after rubbing

10. Go over all of the edges and detail with the rub 'n buff. 

11. Add you antiquing glaze to the edges and trim. I used a dry brush technique using my Purdy brush which worked really well.

12. Finally grab your turtle wax and give it that final seal and shine! Just follow the instructions on the jar, go gently.

That is it, I would say that after the paint and poly had dried the whole thing took about 3 hours. I focused the sanding on the flat surfaces and hit the legs and detail very lightly if at all with the sand paper.

The sand paper, rubbing compound, swirl remover, and wax I found at an automotive store. Lowe's in our area did not carry it. The rub 'n buff I ordered from Amazon and the paint is from Lowe's.

Good luck! If you give it a go, I would love to see how it turns out!

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