To get a true mirror with Pintyplus Mirror Effect spray, you spray the back of a clean, very smooth, transparent surface such as clear glass or acrylic sheet, with no primer, in several very thin coats. You then look at it from the front, through the glass. That is the whole trick. Sprayed onto wood, metal or plastic, the same paint gives a glossy silver finish, not a mirror, and frosted or textured glass won’t give a clean reflection either.
The short version
- Product: Pintyplus Mirror Effect Spray Paint for Glass, 400 ml, Ref. 283
- Surface: clear glass, acrylic glass or similar very smooth transparent material
- Side: spray the reverse side, the one you won’t be looking at
- Primer: none. Spray the product on its own.
- Spray: 20 cm away, several very thin, quick coats, a few seconds apart
- Drying: about 5 minutes in total, 2 minutes between layers
Which side of the glass do you spray?
Always the back. Pintyplus says to spray the reverse side of the surface to create the mirror-like finish. When you look at the front, you see the reflective layer through the glass, and the glass gives the reflection its depth and shine. This is how an ordinary mirror is made too: the reflective layer sits behind the glass.
If you spray the front of a glass panel instead, you get a shiny silver coat on the outside, which is easy to scratch and doesn’t look like a mirror.
Which surfaces give a true mirror, and which don’t?
Surfaces that work
- Clear glass panels, such as the glass from an old picture frame or a cabinet door
- Clear acrylic sheet
- The inside of wide-mouthed clear glass jars and vases, where the inside is the back of the glass
Pintyplus recommends very smooth surfaces. The smoother and cleaner the glass, the sharper the reflection.
Surfaces that won’t give a mirror
- Opaque materials such as wood, MDF, metal, ceramics and plastic. Pintyplus says you get a high-gloss silver effect on these, not a true mirror.
- Frosted, patterned or textured glass, because the surface isn’t smooth enough.
- Narrow-necked bottles, simply because you can’t spray the inside evenly.
If you want a shiny metallic look on the outside of an opaque object, Pintyplus Chrome Effect Spray Paint is made for that job. Our comparison of mirror effect and chrome effect spray explains which to choose.
What do you need?
- A can of Pintyplus Mirror Effect Spray Paint for Glass
- Washing-up liquid and water
- Rubbing alcohol and a lint-free cloth
- Masking tape and newspaper or plastic sheet
- Gloves and a mask
- A piece of scrap glass for a test spray
How do you spray mirror effect on glass, step by step?
1. Clean the glass completely
Wash the glass with soapy water to remove grease and fingerprints, rinse, and let it dry. Then wipe the side you will spray with rubbing alcohol on a lint-free cloth. Any film left on the glass shows up as a patch in the mirror.
2. Handle it by the edges
From now on, hold the glass only by its edges, or wear gloves. The oil from a single fingerprint can spoil the finish.
3. Mask the front and edges
Lay the glass face down on clean paper and tape along the edges so overspray doesn’t creep round onto the front. For a jar, cover the outside and the rim.
4. Pick a dry, still, ventilated spot
Spray in a well-ventilated place, as Pintyplus recommends, but out of wind and dust. Keep away from anything connected to the electricity supply.
5. Shake and test
Shake the can vigorously for one minute after you hear the mixing balls. Give your scrap glass a quick test pass to check the spray pattern.
6. Spray several very thin coats
Hold the can 20 cm from the glass and spray thin, quick passes, first horizontally and then vertically. Wait a few seconds between passes and keep building thin layers. Pintyplus gives 2 minutes between layers. Resist the urge to fill in a thin patch with one heavy pass. Heavy coats run and cloud the finish.
7. Let it dry, then check from the front
Pintyplus gives a total drying time of about 5 minutes. Turn the piece over carefully and look from the front in good light. If you can see thin spots, add another very light coat on the back.
8. Clear the nozzle
Turn the can upside down and spray until only gas comes out, so the nozzle doesn’t clog.
Do you need a backing coat or varnish?
The Pintyplus instructions don’t call for a backing coat or a varnish, so we don’t add one to the method. What matters is protecting the painted back by where you put it. Fit the glass into a frame, set it against a wall or mount it behind a cabinet door, so nothing rubs against the paint. The front is plain glass and can be cleaned like any glass.
Why does the mirror come out cloudy or patchy?
Cloudy or hazy finish
This usually comes from damp air or coats that went on too heavy. During the monsoon, wait for a dry day, and keep each pass light and quick.
Patchy or streaky reflection
Either the glass wasn’t completely clean, or the coats were uneven. Clean more thoroughly next time, and cross your passes, horizontal then vertical.
Specks and bumps
Dust landed on the wet paint. In Lahore and across Punjab, summer dust gets everywhere, so spray indoors in a closed, clean room with ventilation rather than in an open courtyard.
A mark you can see from the front
That is often a fingerprint on the back of the glass from before you sprayed. It can’t be fixed from the front, which is why step 2 matters.
Common questions
Can I spray it on a wall or on furniture to make a mirror?
No. On opaque surfaces it gives a glossy silver finish, not a mirror. A true mirror needs clear glass or acrylic, sprayed on the back.
Do I need to prime the glass?
No. Pintyplus says to apply the product alone without priming. The glass just needs to be completely clean.
How many coats does it need?
Several very thin coats. Keep going until no light shows through when you hold the piece up to a lamp.
How much glass will one can cover?
Pintyplus rates a 400 ml can at 2 m², which is plenty for several frames, jars or small panels.
Where to buy in Lahore and across Pakistan
Pintyplus Mirror Effect Spray Paint for Glass is ₨ 5,795 for a 400 ml can. You can pick it up from our shop at Sohail Centre, LG 8, Dil Muhammad Road, Garhi Shahu, Lahore, Monday to Saturday from 8:30 AM to 10:00 PM, or order online for delivery anywhere in Pakistan.
Not sure which one you need? Send a photo on WhatsApp to 0321 999 3919 and we’ll tell you.
More on reflective finishes: Mirror & Metallic Effects