How to Make Paint Stick on Windows
Painting your windows is an ideal way to decorate for the holidays, add some privacy to a bathroom or even to get a stained glass effect without the stained glass price. The trickiest part of painting a window is getting the paint to stick. Without the proper preparation, paint will run with even the slightest exposure to moisture. You can make your paint stick to your glass windows with just a little bit of extra prep work.
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Things You'll Need
- Ammonia-based cleaner
- Rags
- Sandpaper
- Glass conditioner
- Enamel paint
- Glaze
- Paintbrush
Instructions
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Clean the windows thoroughly with an ammonia-based cleaner. Use clean paper towels to wipe the windows completely free of smudges and oils from fingers or other substances.
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2
Wet sand the window. Sanding will help the paint stick to the window by creating some texture for the paint to sink into. Dampen the window with a sponge dipped in clean water. Wet the sandpaper and rub the window gently. Use fine grit sandpaper and rub in a circular motion across the entire window. Wipe away any sanding debris with a clean damp rag. Dry the window completely. If you don't plan to keep the window painted, consider skipping this step.
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3
Apply glass conditioner to the window. Glass conditioner works similarly to a primer coat. It fills in any small scratches in the glass surface and will create a smooth base for the paint and help the paint stick to the glass. You can purchase glass conditioner as part of a window painting kit or separately from the hardware store. Glass conditioner is sold for the glass on cars, boats and cooktops. You can choose any type of glass conditioner. Dip a clean rag into the conditioner and rub a light coat onto the window. Let the conditioner dry completely.
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Apply paint to the window. Use an enamel paint formulated for use on glass. Some enamel paints, like Delta PermEnamel, will withstand multiple washings. These paints will be some of the most durable for window painting. Apply a thin layer of paint as a first coat. Allow the paint to dry completely.
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Paint the window with additional coats of paint. You will need many more coats of glass paint than you would for other types of paint jobs. Plan on applying as many as six coats of paint to achieve a look that you like. Allow the paint to dry overnight.
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Coat the entire painted surface with a thin coat of glaze to add a layer of protection. Glaze can be found at a craft store.
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Tips & Warnings
When you get ready for a change in paint color or design scheme, simply wash the windows with mild soap and use a plastic scraper to scrape the paint off the window. Start from the beginning with a brand new design.
References
- Photo Credit painted windows image by Hilma Anderson from Fotolia.com
