Upcycled DIY CD Mirror Frame

This “DIY CD Mirror Frame” blog was written by an in-house contributor. All photos were taken by Yohali Ramirez.

As a college student, I’m always looking for ways to save money, which is why I love upcycling. Whether it’s a candle jar, furniture, or clothing, I am passionate about giving new life to old items. In preparation for the new school year, I wanted to add some personalized touches to my on-campus living space to make it feel more like home.

Living in a dorm room is hard but living in a dorm room with no décor is even harder! While looking for dorm room décor ideas, I noticed I had a lot of CDs tucked away, collecting dust. Although CDs may be a thing of the past, you can easily repurpose them to transform everyday objects. I decided to put those old CDs to good use by creating a DIY Mirror Frame.

This CD mirror was super budget-friendly and helped transform my boring dorm mirror into the talk of the hall. Keep reading to learn how to make a shiny, upcycled DIY mirror frame with just a few materials and Flex Glue.

Materials

● 50 CDs (Amount will vary depending on the size of the mirror)

● 1 Flex Glue 9oz cartridge, clear

● 1 Resealable bag

● Caulking gun

● Mirror

● Hammer

● Towel

● Gloves

● Protective eyewear

● Painters tape

● Newspaper or plain paper

● Paper towels

● Glass cleaner

● Tweezers

Note: Before using Flex Seal products, read all directions and take proper safety precautions, such as being in a well-ventilated area and wearing protective gear while applying. Use caution while breaking and handling broken CDs. Gloves and protective eyewear are recommended for this project.

Steps

1. Clean and Prep Mirror

Clean the mirror frame to remove any dirt or dust particles. Next, cover the mirror with painter’s tape and paper to ensure no product will get on it during the process.

2. Break the CDs

There are a few ways to break the CDs, but I found it easiest to place a batch of them in a reusable bag before hitting the CDs with my hammer.

Take about 5-7 CDs and put them inside of the bag.

Flexpert Tip: Make sure all air is out of the bag, and you zip it up tightly. If not, the bag could pop and cause CD pieces to fly everywhere!

Fold your towel in half and place the CD-filled bag on top. Then, fold it in half again to add an extra layer of protection when smashing the CDs.

Flexpert Tip: Before moving on, make sure your safety glasses and gloves are on.

Now it’s time for one of the best parts of this project - smashing the CDs! During the breaking process, check on the CDs frequently to ensure the pieces are of different shapes and sizes. Otherwise, the pattern won’t look as cohesive.

Once you’re done with the first batch, lay down a paper towel and dump the broken pieces onto it.

Then, add new CDs to the bag and repeat this process until all are crushed. Now that’s a lotta damage!

3. Adhere the CD Pieces With Flex Glue Clear

Now that the CDs are broken, it’s time to grab Flex Glue. Twist the cap off, cut the nozzle at a 45-degree angle and then screw the top back on. Place the Flex Glue cartridge in the caulking gun, and you’re ready to go.

Next, arrange a few large CD pieces around the mirror frame. Once they’re positioned to your liking, grab each piece and add a dab of Flex Glue. Press and hold for about 15 seconds to activate Flex Glue’s instant grab technology.

Once you’re done with the large pieces, grab some medium-sized pieces and place them around the larger ones. Finally, fill in the gaps with the smaller pieces. If any Flex Glue spreads to unwanted areas, grab a paper towel and carefully wipe off the excess.

Flexpert Tip: If you have trouble gluing the smaller CD pieces, you can use tweezers to help adhere them.

4. Let the CD Mirror Dry

Allow 24-48 hours for Flex Glue to dry before moving on to the next step. Patience is a DIYer’s secret step to achieving the best results! After Flex Glue dries, it continues to get even stronger, reaching its maximum strength in 7 days.

Flexpert Tip: Depending on the size of the mirror, you may have leftover glue for future projects and repairs. After use, squeeze a small bead from the opening to form a plug. Simply cut the plug when you want to reuse.

5. Remove Paper and Clean the Mirror

Now it’s time to clean the CD mirror. Peel off the paper covering and grab a towel and glass cleaner. Carefully wipe the CD pieces around the mirror frame to remove fingerprints or debris. Afterward, wipe down the mirror itself.

And just like that, you’ve taken your plain dorm mirror and transformed it into a beautiful piece of art!

This DIY mirror frame was so much fun to create, and I always receive compliments on it when my friends come over. I am super happy with the results and can’t wait to see what other projects the Flex Seal Family of Products will help me achieve!

By Yohali Aldana Ramirez

Yohali is an advertising and public relations student at the University of Central Florida. During her free time, she enjoys creating budget-friendly art and crafts. Her expertise is repurposing old items and bringing them back to life, and she loves how upcycling helps reduce waste and keep her costs low. She believes you don’t need a lot to make something look flextastic!

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