8.4. Enjoy the view!
How to Paint Glass Windows
Painting glass windows is an easy DIY project that can add privacy and decoration to your home. Whether you want to create a colourful design or add a frosted effect for more privacy, window painting is an affordable and creative way to update your living space.
Upgrade your timber double-glazed windows in a fun and easy manner as we guide you through how to paint glass windows step-by-step. Learn about this activity here, from choosing the materials to drying and finishing your final product!
What You Will Need
Before getting started, you must gather some essential materials:
Paint
Different paints will produce a variety of finishes and effects in your window art. Temporary options like washable window paint or tempera paint are perfect for use with kids, while water-based acrylic paints are semi-permanent and longer-lasting. Specialised glass paint will adhere to your window after curing without peeling, fading, or chipping for a more permanent solution.
Painter’s tape
You must use tape to protect the areas around the glass window that you don’t want to paint, such as the window frame.
Paintbrushes
Choose brushes suitable for the type of paint you are using and the size of the window you want to paint. Small fine-tip brushes are ideal for smaller details, while sponge brushes work well with a stencil.
Preparing Your Windows
Making the appropriate preparations before painting your glass windows is crucial to ensure a smooth and long-lasting finish. Clean the glass surface with glass cleaner and microfibre cloth before applying painter’s tape to the areas you want to protect. Lay down tarps or cloth to prevent paint from staining other surfaces.
Brush strokes
Use a small brush to create strokes in the desired design or pattern. Get creative and let your inner artist shine with custom designs that reflect your style. For a translucent effect, use a dry brush or add a small amount of water to the paint before application.
Stencils
Use stencils to create more complex designs or patterns. Tape the stencil to the glass surface and paint the design with a small brush.
Spraying
For larger glass surfaces, use a spray paint designed for glass surfaces to create a more uniform finish. Otherwise, let loose and practice your calligraphy or lettering for a rough spray-painted graffiti-like finish.
Step 1: Materials
For every craft you do you always need your set of materials. Glass painting luckily doesn’t require too many, but you’ll still need to do some shopping before you can start.
Materials:
Plaid Gallery Glass Acrylic Paint – comes in a variety of colors
Plaid Gallery Glass Liquid Leading – comes in black and gold
Glass – sheets of glass, wine bottles, windowpanes, anything works
Toothpicks
Optional:
Glass glue
Suction cups
Cling Wrap
Note: you can buy your supplies at craft stores like Hobby Lobby or order them online.
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Step 2: Chose Your Pattern
Choosing you pattern is a crucial part of doing this craft and will define what your final product will look like. It may involve drawing your own pattern if you’re artistic. Or if you’re not very confident in your own drawing skills there are books full of stained glass patterns you can get, and of course there’s always the Internet.
For my paintings I’m going to be using some dragon pictures that that I’ve printed off from the Internet.
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Step 3: Choosing Your Glass
There are a wide variety of options that you can use for your glass. You can use a simple flat sheet, a wine bottle, a window pane, a glass pan, etc. You can also get glass in numerous different colors and textures.
For my project I’m actually going to paint it on a piece of Cling Wrap and later peel it off and glue it onto one of my windows.
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How to remove paint from glass
Wet paint can be easily wiped up with a dry cloth, followed by rinsing it with water. Our paint is water-based, so it’s super easy to clean up.
For dried-on paint (including gloss), you can use a couple of methods to get it off the glass.
Use a thin razor blade to very gently scrape off as much paint as you can. This is useful for getting random splotches of paint off glass or keeping a neat finish.
Nail varnish remover or white spirit are both effective at removing paint too. Dampen a cloth or cotton bud and hold it against the paint for several seconds. Then rub it until the paint comes away. Repeat until you’ve got rid of all the paint.
We love to see your creatively upcycled glass and furniture, share your projects with us on Instagram @valsparpaintuk
