How to Create Fake Glass for Special Effects

Dive through glass without a trip to the ER.

Sugar glass has been used in special effects for decades as a safe alternative to the real thing. It can be smashed and shattered with little to no danger to actors and stunt crew. Sugar glass is basically a large, clear lollipop that is set into a window frame. It must be used quickly after being made because heat and humidity will cause it to sag and warp.

Things You'll Need

• 2 cups water
• 1 cup white corn syrup
• 3 1/2 cups sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
• Pot
• Candy thermometer
• Heat source
• Nonstick cookie sheet
• Oven mitts
• Food coloring

Instructions

1. Mix water, corn syrup, sugar and cream of tartar in a pot.

2. Slowly heat the mixture on a stove or hot plate until it boils. Use a candy thermometer to regularly check the temperature.

3. Allow mixture to heat to 300 degrees.

4. Pour mixture onto nonstick cookie sheet. Wear oven mitts to protect your hands. The mixture will bubble rapidly as you pour, but most bubbles will pop as it cools.

5. Set cookie sheet onto flat surface and allow mixture to cool for two hours.

6. Turn cookie sheet upside down over folded towel to release fake glass.

Tips & Warnings

• Add a few drops of food coloring to the mixture to create colored glass. Sugar glass can be tinted any color that you want. Untinted sugar glass will have a slightly yellow appearance.

• Sugar glass is still capable of causing minor cuts if you aren't careful.

References

• Indy Mogul: Break Glass
• "The Prop Builder's Molding & Casting Handbook"; Thurston James; 1989