How to Frost a Wine Glass
Frosting is a dramatic way to change the look of a wine glass. Sandblasting wine glasses to create a frosted appearance is not possible, as the force of the stream of air and sand would shatter the delicate glass. Spray-on paints are neither food safe nor permanent; instead of altering the glass, they simply coat it, and repeated washing results in chipping and flaking. For permanent results on wine glasses, use glass etching cream to create a frosted appearance.
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Things You'll Need
- Wine glass
- Dishwashing liquid
- Paper towels
- Newspaper
- Latex gloves
- Face mask
- Natural-bristle paintbrush
- Glass etching cream
Instructions
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1
Wash the wine glass in dishwashing liquid to remove oils and dust. Dry the glass with paper towels and place it atop a section of newspaper.
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2
Don the latex gloves and face mask. With the natural-bristle paintbrush, apply a thick, even coat of etching cream to the exterior of the wine glass.
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3
Allow the wine glass to sit undisturbed while the etching cream takes effect. The time will vary depending on the brand of etching cream, so consult the directions on the packaging.
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4
Rinse the glass to remove the etching cream and wash it again. Thoroughly rinse the paintbrush and discard the newspaper.
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Tips & Warnings
If you wish to create a design on the glass with a vinyl stencil, you must apply the stencil before you apply the etching cream.
It's best to etch the exterior of the glass. It's difficult to coat the interior of the glass evenly, particularly narrow flute designs. Also, etching creates minute nooks and crannies that can harbor bacteria. These can leach into wine or other liquids drunk from the glass.
Always wear gloves and a face mask when handling glass etching cream. It contains potentially dangerous chemicals.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Polka Dot/Getty Images
