How to make a decorative framed mirror
It has been some time since I installed the new bathroom vanity and I finally got round to making up the large framed mirror for the wall above the vanity basins.
08/08/2018
You will find detailed instructions here for the 'his' and 'hers' bathroom vanity. The new unit replaces a pedestal sink with a dinky bathroom cabinet above. There is now plenty of space in the vanity for all our bathroom essentials and I can now replace the cabinet with a large, framed mirror.
The mirror was sprayed with Rust-Oleum Universal - titanium silver - which ties in beautifully with the new whisper grey walls. The new colour makes the bathroom look so much brighter, and using Prominent Paints Select Matt paint disguises the horrible plaster finish on the walls. Click here for details and tips for painting the walls.
You can buy the complete range of Rust-Oleum spray paint products at your nearest Builders Warehouse.
YOU WILL NEED:
20 x 94mm wide PAR pine cut to length
20 x 67mm wide PAR pine for French cleat and 30mm screws
Mirror, cut to size at your local Builders
4 of mirror brackets and 16mm screws
Biscuits, #20
Ponal wood glue
Wood filler
Rust-Oleum Universal spray paint in your choice of finish
Fischer wall plugs and suitable masonry bit
TOOLS:
Drill / Driver plus assorted bits - the PSB 10,8 also has a hammer function*
Mitre saw, jigsaw or table saw
Biscuit joiner
Orbital sander plus 120- and 240-grit sanding pads
Electronic detector
*Corded drill if not using a PSB 10,8
HERE'S HOW:
1. Measure up the area in order to cut the required lengths for the top, bottom, sides and shelf for your picture frame. Cut the frame pieces with a 45-degree angle at the ends. Find tips here for cutting angled ends.
2. Using a biscuit joiner is the easiest and fastest way to make picture frames, but you could simply join the sections at the back using steel angle braces and screws.
GOOD TO KNOW:
Set the cutting depth for #20
biscuits and dry fit the biscuits to make sure
they fit half way into the cut slot.
3. Apply Ponal wood glue into the slots and along the edges and join the sections together to create the frame. Work on a flat, level surface so as not to disturb the frame once is has been glued together. Leave undisturbed overnight.
4. Should there be any gaps at the corners, use wood filler to cover up. Let this dry before sanding.
GOOD TO KNOW:
If there are any defects in the
pine board, fill these with wood filler and
leave to dry.
5. Start sanding with 120-grit sanding pads to remove the roughness left by the cutting blade and then sand again with 240-grit for a smooth finish.
6. Wipe clean to remove any dust before spraying the entire frame with Rust-Oleum Universal spray paint. Allow each coat to dry thoroughly before applying a further coat. A little trick I have is to spray one side, let it dry and then wipe down with Mr Min furniture polish. This prevents any tackiness when I turn the project over to spray the other side.
GOOD TO KNOW:
The frame was placed on small
pieces of foam around the edges to make it
easier to turn over without damaging the finish.
7. To mount the heavy frame onto the wall I am using the French cleat system. This involves two block of wood on either side, each block cut in half with a 45-degree angle. For this you will need a compound mitre saw or jigsaw with adjustable plate. Make the angled cuts first and then cut the blocks to size. In this way you don't have to worry about having your hands too close to the blade when making the angled cuts.
8. One part of the French cleat is mounted to the back of the frame using wood glue and screws. Note the angle of this section and how it will slot in the lower section once mounted (see below).
GOOD TO KNOW:
Before drilling into walls -
any walls - use an
electronic detector to check that it will be
safe. Green and you are good to go!
9. When using Fischer wall plugs they tell you what drill bit and diameter screws to use, but also make sure that the screws are 5mm longer than the plug, plus the material you are mounting onto the wall.
10. Once you know it is safe to do so, drill holes in the wall for mounting the French cleats.
Now all that you need to do is lift up the mirror and slot the two French cleat brackets together to securely hold the frame in place.
