How to Change the Shiny Surface of Glass to a Matte Finish

In the past the art of glass etching was a cumbersome job involving sand blasting, time and a mess. Today you can achieve the same great effects with a simple technique that can turn your glass doors or mirrors into works of art to personalize or characterize your home. A one time application of etching cream over the cut-out stencil pattern of your choice is a modern mess free alternative that can be accomplished in nearly the time it takes to dream it.

Things You'll Need

• Clear glass or mirror
• Pattern or stencil of your choice
• Pencil
• Contact paper
• Cardboard
• X-acto knife
• Etching cream (available at craft supply stores)
• Small artist's paintbrush
• Plastic gloves

Instructions

1. Wash the glass or mirror and let it dry.

2. Transfer your pattern design or stencil, such as a letter of the alphabet or a geometric shape, to the plain paper side of a small piece of contact paper at least 1 inch larger than the pattern, by tracing around it with a pencil. Without removing the contact paper backing, place the piece of contact paper on top of a slightly larger piece of cardboard with the penciled side up.

3. Using your X-acto knife with sharp new blade installed, carefully cut out your pattern shape. Discard the pattern shape or use in a future project such as scrap booking.

4. Remove the paper backing from the cut-out that you have left. Position and attach your contact paper with cut-out to your piece of glass or mirror. Press down all edges firmly to the glass. This is very important for nice precise finished lines.

5. Open the etching cream. Using your artist's paintbrush, apply etching cream over the cut-out shape, following the manufacturer's directions on the label.

6. Put on the plastic gloves. Remove the adhered pattern from your project.

7. Carefully rinse off the cream from your glass or mirror under a faucet or with a saturated sponge, in the case of a large project. Allow it to dry.

References

• Better Homes and Gardens:Santa Plate and Tumbler

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish