Last year, while visiting family in Schenectady, I bought two beautiful leaded glass doors at an architectural salvage shop. They were originally part of a built-in cabinet from an old house. I had hoped to use them in our addition/renovation. However, our contractor, the crusher of unrealistic expectations, advised me they were not weatherized and would need to be retrofitted (which is code for a lot of money to install). Although it was disappointing, I couldn't justify the expense. I stored them away and forgot about them until recently when I saw a Facebook post where someone had used a product that made glass look like mirror. I thought about my leaded windows and decided to give it a try.
Unfortunately, one of the windows developed a crack while in storage. The repair costs were too high, so I focused on the intact window, which was as stunning as I remember. To achieve a more consistent look and remove the hinge marks, I used a table saw to trim both sides.
After the cuts were made, I sanded the window smooth. I loved the raw wood but felt it needed a little separation, so I painted the inside trim with an off-white chalk paint color.
Next, I applied the mirror effect spray. I put on a mask and taped off the raw wood. Following the directions I sprayed light coats, applying a total of five. At first, I was nervous because it had a cloudy look. However, once it dried, the effect was amazing; it truly resembled a mirror. After the treatment was completely set, I cleaned the window/mirror
using a Q-tip to reach the corners.
It is gorgeous; the rosettes stand out even more, truly a one-of-a-kind piece. I will definitely be using this mirror effect spray again.
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