How to Make a Plexiglas Mirror

How to Make a Plexiglas Mirror

If you want an inexpensive DIY mirror that's easy to hang, make one with acrylic sheeting. In comparison to glass, the acrylic sheeting is strong, lightweight, shatter-resistant, resistant to the elements and easy to cut, which makes it a more attractive option for many people. Acrylic sheeting, known generically as plexiglass, is available in many brands including the highest-quality brand, Plexiglas. To make a Plexiglas mirror, all you need to do is apply mirror spray paint to the back of a sheet of Plexiglas then insert it into a frame of your choice.

Protect Your Work Surface

1. Cover a flat work surface with a drop cloth, plastic sheeting or newspaper.

Prepare the Plexiglas

2. Remove any protective film from both sides of the sheet of Plexiglas. Apply a few drops of mineral spirits to a rag and wipe both sides of the sheet of Plexiglas to remove all debris and grease.

Sand the Plexiglas

3. Lightly sand the side of the sheet of Plexiglas. Wipe the sheet with a clean rag to remove all traces of dust.

Prime the Plexiglas

4. Spray a fine, uniform coat of primer spray paint over the sanded surface of the sheet of Plexiglas, keeping the can 12 inches from the surface while you spray. Use a broad side-to-side motion with each row slightly extending over the previous one to ensure complete coverage. Let it dry thoroughly, following the directions on the can.

Apply the Spray Paint

5. Spray a fine, uniform coat of silver foil metallic spray paint over the primed surface of the sheet of Plexiglas, using the same technique as the primer step. Leave each coat to completely dry before adding another coat in the same way. Apply as many coats as needed to achieve complete coverage. Let the final coat dry thoroughly, following the directions on the can.

Assemble the Frame

6. Insert your mirrored sheet of Plexiglas into the frame with the sprayed surface facing inward against the backing that comes with your frame. It’s ready to hang on the wall.

Tip

Mirrored Plexiglas is available online and at all hardware stores and comes in many colors as well as tinted, non-glare and two-way varieties. To ensure your Plexiglas is as transparent as glass, go for the top-quality version designed for framing art. Ask the online retailer or hardware store to cut the Plexiglas to the size to fit your frame.

Warning

Only work with spray paint outdoors or in a location with adequate ventilation.