Stripping paint off a mirror frame

Rugosa55

Hi, I bought a large mirror in a wooden frame. I wanted a dark wood one at first, but because it was sold out, I bought a white one, thinking that I might strip it and stain it myself.
So the white paint is a bit weird. When I first got the mirror it left white powdery marks on my hands whenever I touched it. I had to give it a good wipe with a wet cloth to get rid of it. Now it looks kind of greyish mat white, a bit dirty to the honest. As if painted with chalk... Is this what chalk paint looks like? If so, how do I get rid of it, so I can stain the frame a nicer colour? 
Any thoughts appreciated.
Thanks a lot.

Rugosa55

Here is the picture of the frame.

casper_gutman

I've no specific experience of this type of paint. Just a note of caution: in your shoes I'd be concerned that any chemical or heat-based method of stripping the frame could damage the silvering on the back of the mirror. Would it be possible to remove the mirror from the frame while you work on it?

Eldi_Dos

If you can find a chalk paint colour that suits just give the wood a clean with a new sponge scourer and repaint the mirror. If you wanted black, blackboard paint will go on just as well.

prettyandfluffy

Be sure that the frame is actually wood and not some kind of composite (MDF etc) which would probably not react well to being stripped.  

ThisIsWeird

It looks like real wood, and I suspect that the finish was a 'whitewash', essentially thinned water-based paint. It's designed to allow the wood grain to show through, and would also explain how you found it easy to wipe off!
How do you plan to get it  to dark wood? By using a wood stain and then a protective oil or varnish, or to apply a coloured varnish straight on? Either way, I think there's a fair chance it'll go on successfully without too much prep - I think it'll soak through the remaining finish, and give you the colour you want.
But first, use a damp cloth, possibly a scourer, to rub off as much of that white finish as possible.
Any of that timber showing on the mirror's back? If so, you can do test stains on there.

Rugosa55

Thank you for all your replies. 
Yes, it is a wooden frame. I enclose a picture of the back of it.
I was thinking of stain and oil. I don't like the dirty white look of it. I like real wood.
Thanks for the suggestion to test the stain on the back first! I will definitely do that!

twopenny

Just take care and be gentle.

It's made of strips of wood glued together and anything wet or harsh will make them peal away.

Pretty pattern in the wood though if you can do it