How to Frost Glass

How to Frost Glass With Etching Cream

1. Prepare Work Site

   Prepare a work table covered with plastic. Tape the plastic down. Have latex gloves and safety glasses nearby.

2. Clean Glass

   Clean the glass thoroughly with mild additive-free soap and warm water. If frosting glassware, run it through the dishwasher. After the dishwasher, clean the glassware once more by hand. Dry off the glass with a lint-free cloth.

3. Add Stencil (Optional)

   If frosting over a stencil, apply the stencil now. Press down the edges of the stencil with a popsicle stick or old credit card to make sure that the etching cream will not seep under the stencil.

4. Apply Etching Cream

   Wearing your protective gear, use a disposable paint brush to apply the etching cream. Use the paint brush to gently dab etching cream on the glass. Cover the glass with a thick layer of etching cream. Do not brush on the cream. Instead, dab it onto the glass. The cream should be about 1/4-inch thick. It should not be so thick that it slides off the glass.

5. Let Etching Cream Sit

   The etching cream needs to sit on the glass for a period specified by the manufacturer. Usually, the waiting period is from one to five minutes.

6. Wash Off Etching Cream

   In a sink with warm water, rinse off the etching cream. Thoroughly remove all traces of the etching cream.

7. Remove Stencil (Optional)

   If your glass has a stencil, remove the stencil only when all of the etching cream is gone. With the stencil gone, run the glass once more under warm water to remove cream that may have remained along the edges of the stencil.

8. Dry Off Glass

   Gently dry off the glass with a soft cloth.

Tips for Frosting Glass With Etching Cream

• Avoid cleaning the glass with vinegar, alcohol, acetone, or glue removers as they can leave streaks. Instead, use mild soap and warm water.
• Applying the etching cream with brush streaks will create streaks. Be sure to dab it on, not brush it on.
• Some types of glass, like Pyrex, may not etch well. Experiment with different types of glass.

Frosted Glass Spray

1. Prepare Work Site

   Prepare a work area that is shielded from the wind but is ventilated enough to prevent the fumes from building up. The temperature should be between 50ºF and 90ºF and humidity should be below 65 percent. Cover the work area with paper and tape the paper down.

2. Clean Glass

   Use a mild detergent, water, and a soft cloth to clean the glass.

3. Spray First Coat

   Shake the can well for about a minute. Holding the can 12 to 16 inches from the glass, spray the glass with even side-to-side motions. Overlap each spray by a few inches.

4. Spray Two or More Coats

   After a few minutes, it's safe to spray a second coat. Wait at least 10 minutes for the frost effect to appear. The spray will appear shiny until the frosting takes effect. Clean up with mineral spirits.