How to Paint Tempered Glass

Tempered glass can be painted to look like stained glass

Tempered glass is glass that is specifically designed not to break easily. When it does break it will not shatter like ordinary glass. Instead, the pieces that separate from the whole will resemble little pebbles. This lessens the risk of getting cut from sharp edges. Painting tempered glass is similar to painting ordinary glass. Glass paint is close to the consistency of watercolor paint. It is a runny liquid that needs to be contained when painting on glass.

Things You'll Need

• Paper
• Pencil
• Acrylic paint in tube with fine nozzle
• Glass paint
• Paint brushes
• White spirit

Instructions

1. Design your artwork by sketching the pattern on a sheet of paper.

2. Place the design on a flat surface. Cover the design with the tempered glass.

3. Trace the design onto the glass using an acrylic paint in a tube with a fine nozzle. Ensure that all lines are closed off completely. If there are any gaps in the lines, the glass paint will work it's way through the gap and into other spaces and mix with other colors. Wait for the acrylic paint to dry completely. This will take approximately 2 hours.

4. Drop the glass paint into the spaces with a paint brush. Completely fill each space with paint. Do not overfill the spaces as the paint will run into other areas and create a mixed color you may not want to have. Allow the paint to dry completely. This will take approximately 2 hours.

5. Fill in any small areas with a fine tipped permanent marker.

Tips & Warnings

• Clean paint brushes with white spirit. Use a clean dry brush each time you change a paint color.

• Work in a well-ventilated area when working with glass paints -- the odor is strong. Do not clean the glass with chemicals.

References

• "Schott guide to glass"; Heinz G. Pfaender; 1996