Rub n Buff mirror makeover

When the house came jam-packed with stuff we didn't want, we shoved it all into the garage and vowed to deal with it another day.

Slowly, I've been going out there every few weeks and purging some things or salvaging some things. Now, I'm getting down to it and there's only a few things left in there that came from the house.

A few days ago I was in the furthest corners of the garage when I noticed a frame and some glass way back behind some lawn tools. I dug and pulled and ending up dragging out a huge, heavy wall mirror.

It was covered in so much dust and dirt it barely made a reflection. The frame was cracked and discolored and there were stickers on it from 1972. 

 I scrubbed it and scrubbed it with dish soap and hot water until the glass was clear. I was amazed to find not a single crack. The thing was actually in great shape.

The kids' play kitchen is in the kitchen, and it's looking a little rough here. But this is about THE MIRROR.

The frame was still pretty messed up. Mostly, it was just not attractive.

I had read some reviews about a product called Rub N Buff. I was in a Michael's, and they had it, and I had a coupon, so I decided to go ahead and try it. Since the mirror was free and I didn't immediately need it for something, I wasn't concerned about "ruining it".

Basically, the rub is a combination of hard furniture waxes in liquid form combined with powdered metals to give the finish of real metal. I bought the color "gold leaf." You apply the Rub n Buff with your finger, or a cloth, and just rub it on. It dries almost right away and then you buff it to a shine.

And it really was that easy. In just a few minutes the mirror went from junk sale to looking like a museum frame. It took a little bit of work to get it along the inner edge: I had to slip some paper between the mirror and the frame to shield the glass from excess. 

There are probably a few spots left that could use a touch up, but I think I am going to hang it on the wall somewhere and then touch them up, to make sure I get them all in the right light. That's part of what is great about Rub n Buff- it's so unobtrusive you don't need to drag whatever outside and tape off like spray paint. Just put the wax on your finger and apply it.