Customizing Mirrors with Rub ‘n Buff
*This post contains an affiliate link. For more information, see my disclosures here.*
Have I ever told you about my fear of gallery walls? They seriously intimidate me. Don’t get me wrong– I LOVE them… when other people put them together. I just have never been able to get past my type-A straight lines and ninety degree angles fixation in order to do one myself. The thought of hanging things on a wall in such a way that they would not be directly symmetrical to one another almost made my little head explode. I just couldn’t figure it out. But then I was browsing Instagram a few weeks ago and I saw this:
I mean would you LOOK at that gorgeous mirrored gallery wall?! And ya know what’s weird? It didn’t even bother me that there were no straight lines. I was in love. And I had to have one. So I started stalking collecting mirrors whenever I saw them on sale, and once I had quite a few, I began to lay them out and trying to come up with a configuration that I liked.
But as I was moving them around, something began to bug me… see those three mirrors on the bottom? They weren’t gold like the rest of my collection.
What was a type-A personality to do? 😉 I had heard of this stuff called “Rub ‘n Buff“* before, but I had never tried it for myself. I figured it couldn’t hurt to try, so the next time I was at Hobby Lobby, I picked up a tube in Antique Gold.
The application process was really easy. I used a super-technical tool– my finger– and spread the Rub ‘n Buff onto the frame of my mirror a little at a time.
I ended up applying two coats of Rub ‘n Buff to each mirror, allowing it to dry in between coats. After the second coat was dry, I used an old t-shirt to buff the mirrors, moving in a circular motion.
And that’s it! SO easy! The mirrors actually ended up just slightly more bronze-y than I thought they would, but overall I’m happy with how they turned out, and they definitely work better with the other mirrors than they did before.
Now I just have to figure out what configuration to put them in…
Notice the lack of straight lines and 90 degree angles– what is happening to me?! 😉 This gallery wall will be hung in our living room, which we are in the process of revamping. Our next big project in that room is to paint all of the walls, so once that is done, we can get hanging! Yippee! Can’t wait to call the living room finished… at least for now! Have a great week, friends!
Have you ever created a gallery wall? Any tips for me? Would you ever customize your mirrors with Rub ‘n Buff?
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*This post contains an affiliate link. For more information, see my disclosures here.*
Ooh, they turned out great, Abby!! I love the last arrangement the best – that big mirror creates a really nice focal point in the middle, with the smaller mirrors around it. That is going to look absolutely gorgeous up on your wall!
Thank you, Karen! I think that’s my favorite too! I’m excited to get everything hung on the wall! Hope you’re having a wonderful week!
~Abby =)
I like the last picture best too. I also have a serious straight line issue that I am fighting at the moment but it is sooooo hard so I really can sympathise with you.
My top tip is: instead of leaving the mirrors scattered on the floor print off one of your photos and then cut the frames out. You can sit and rearrange them til you find your perfect arrangement without someone standing on them. X
Thanks, Mandy! I’m glad I’m not the only one with a straight line issue, lol! Love that tip too– so brilliant!
~Abby =)
I can’t wait to see everything on the wall, what a great idea!
Thanks so much, Jill! I’m excited to hang everything! Hope you’re having a wonderful week!
~Abby =)
I’ve had rub and buff on my to do list forever! I love the way your mirrors turned out, Abby! Your gallery wall is going to be fab, no worries here at all!
Thanks, friend! I’m excited to get it all hung up! I recommend the Rub ‘n Buff– so easy to use! Have a wonderful evening!!
~Abby =)
I love how your gallery of walls turned out… very cute…I have actually used the rub and buff before too and love it… Have a great week.
Thanks so much!! Gotta love Rub ‘n Buff! Have a great week, ladies!
~Abby =)
I must try this Rub n’ Buff stuff!! Thanks for sharing!
-Tahnee @lane & alley | blog
I’m a fan! Now I keep thinking of other ways I can use it… 🙂 Thanks so much for stopping by, Tahnee! Enjoy your week!
~Abby =)
Looks so great and congrats on conquering your fear! I vote for configuration number 3.
Thanks so much, friend! I’m liking #3 too! Have a great week!
~Abby =)
Love it, Abby! That will look classy in your living room! So glad you gave them a matching finish!
Thank you, Jen! I can’t wait to see them all hung up! Hope you’re having a great day!
~Abby =)
I have a major love for rub-n-buff and mirror walls, so I’m crazy about this idea. Can’t wait to see it hung!
Thanks so much, friend! I can’t believe I waited this long to use Rub ‘n Buff! I may be addicted now! 😉 Hope you’re having a great week!
~Abby =)
Hi Abby,
Your mirrors look great. I’ve heard of rub and buff and really like your results. I’ll certainly look out for it in the UK. Have you decided on the layout? I really like the last option in the three pictures you laid out. I also find it hard to break away from an inclination towards symmetry! Interesting though that what drew me to the last of your three groupings was my perception of symmetry in the size of the gaps in between the mirrors. Maybe that’s the key?!
Emma xo
Oooh I think you’re on to something there, Miss Emma! (Plus I really love the idea of sneaking in some symmetry! 😉 ) I think I’m leaning toward the third one too! Hopefully they’ll all be hung soon! Hope you’re having a great week, friend!
~Abby =)
Love those mirrors, Abby! What finds! I love the last picture the best…. I just did my first one too and would like to do a gallery wall on every room in the house! 😉 Have a great rest of the week!
Thank you, Kendra! I’m leaning toward the last one too! Hopefully we’ll have them all hung soon! Yay! Hope you’re having a great week!
~Abby =)
Super idea!!! Pinned for the future….Christine from Little Brags
Thank you so much, Christine! Hope you’re having a great week!
~Abby =)
Yes, I would definitely try this. I meant to pick some up last week when I was at Michaels and forgot (darn Michaels is an hour away…). They look fab Abby!
Thanks, Krista! Gotta love Rub ‘n Buff! And you should definitely petition your town to put in a Michael’s closer to you– it’s a necessity, lol! Hope you’re having a great week, my friend!
~Abby =)
Oh my word! I have been trying to paint the edges of a gold mirror silver for 3 1/2 years now! With no success I might add! And here in one post you have solved my problem. Thank you thank you thank you!!!!
Yay! Rub ‘n Buff for the win! 😀 Have fun with that mirror, Rebecca! Hope you’re having a great week!
~Abby =)
So easy…pinned!
Thanks so much, Patti! You’re right– easy peasy!! Hope you’re having a great week!
~Abby =)
Look at all those beautiful mirrors! What a wonderful collection. I too like the last picture best, but whatever you choose, they will be gorgeous! I had never heard of rub and buff, so what a find! Hope you enjoy putting up your collection!
Thanks so much, Elizabeth! I’m leaning toward the third one too! I’m anxious to finish painting so we can get them up! Thank you for stopping by! Hope you’re having a great week!
~Abby =)
Wow! I love the look with the Rub n Buff! What a great resource! Love it!
Thanks so much, Allyson! I love that it was EASY! 😀 Hope you’re having a great week!
~Abby =)
Great job on your mirrors! I just started working on my old brass hinges with rub n buff silver leaf. I could see that it would take 2 coats, but when I applied the second coat, it started taking off the first coat. Did you have any problems when you did the second coat? I let it dry for 24 hrs in between coats. Maybe I should have waited longer. I couldn’t tell if your mirrors were made of metal or wood. Any suggestions?
Hm. I didn’t have trouble with the second coat, but I’ve heard that can happen on non-porous surfaces and that a light sanding in between coats can help with that! Best of luck with your hinges!
~Abby =)