Glass paint: hiring it done v DIY

If you don’t have a lot of experience with painting, you may think that a glass paint project is too much to handle. You may be trying to weigh hiring it done v do-it-yourself. Exactly how much work is involved in a glass paint project? What tools are required? How much time will it take?

Glass paint is easy to work with

With the right tools and the right approach to the project, you can easily complete a glass paint project as a DIY job. Beyond that, working with glass paint isn’t really any different than working with any other kind of paint. So what tools do you need and what’s the right approach to the project?

Glass paint will work on any kind of glass. Whether you’re working with tempered glass or plate glass, glass paint will create the same permanent bond with the glass surface. Ordinary glass tends to have a green cast, and the thicker the glass, the more noticeable the green tint will be. Glass isn’t tinted, but iron in the glass creates the color when the glass is manufactured. If a green tint isn’t a bother, then use ordinary glass. If the green tint will be problematic, choose low-iron glass instead. Low iron class is also marketed under the name “Starphire” glass. This glass is made with low-iron components, which minimizes the greenish tint.

With a glass paint project, surface preparation is one key to a successful outcome. Fortunately, the surface preparation for glass paint is easy. Use alcohol, fine grit steel wool and inexpensive paper towels. (Pro tip: don’t use “lint-free” paper towels!) Dry the surface until it’s “squeaky clean.”

Apply glass paint with a good quality mohair roller, brush or preferably a high-volume, low-pressure sprayer. Apply in thin coats, and allow each coat to dry fully before applying the next coat – at least 4 hours. Plan to use between 3 and 8 coats for the best results. You can clean rollers and brushes using acetone. You can also use acetone to clean up small drips, overspray or repair smudges or imperfections on the glass surface.

Once the paint is cured, you can install your glass paint project on any surface using paint-can style mirror mastic, neutral-cure silicone adhesive or double-sided mounting tape. The adhesive will not show through the glass paint project.

Working with glass paint can really be that simple, and the results can really distinguish your home! If you’d like more information about working with glass paint, please check out the rest of our website. If you’d like to purchase Glassprimer™ glass paint, please visit our online store .

Photo Credit: Michael Zimmerman, via FreeImages.com