After washing, dry the window completely. Make sure there is no paper or fabric left behind on the surface or else this will affect the final appearance of the frosted glass.
Blue painter’s tape. Painter’s tape is specifically designed to endure wet applications. It has a weak adhesive allowing it to be easily removed. For windows with lattice work or muntin bars (strips of wood between the glass), cover the wood with tape. If the 1-in. painter’s tape width isn’t a thick enough border, lay another piece alongside it. Use a tape measure to ensure that borders are symmetrical; uneven borders look bad. If your window does not have a frame, simply tape along the outside edges until you have created a border.
Don’t leave any openings or gaps where the spray could enter. When working indoors, open doors and windows and turn on fans to help circulate fresh air. Consider wearing a particle mask to protect your nose and mouth. The spray fumes are hazardous to your health. Take the window outside, if possible. This ensures a healthy work space and decreases the likelihood of “overspray,” and frosting spray drifting onto other objects.
Find frosting spray at craft and home improvement stores. While shaking the can, you should hear the small ball inside begin to rattle. Test spray on a small piece of cardboard. [2] X Research source If it sprays correctly, prepare to frost your glass. If it is not spraying at a steady rate, continue shaking and testing in 1 minute intervals.
Apply a light coating at first. A second or third layer is often necessary to even out the frosting, but it is difficult to remove gloppy or runny patches. Expect 5-10 minutes for the frosting to become visible on the glass.
If necessary, apply a third or fourth layer of frosting until you get the desired effect. Follow the spray can’s directions regarding the wait time required between coats.
Acrylic sealers protect glass from the elements such as moisture and dirt. The protective gloss coating is often permanent. If you are unhappy with the frosted surface after the sealant has already dried, you will need to scrape it off with a razor blade.
If you worked indoors, remove the painter’s tape cautiously. This will prevent removal of paint from the walls. Use mineral spirits to clean any overspray from your hands and other objects. Do not use mineral spirits to clean items with paint or nice finishes, as this could damage the quality.
A garage or backyard patio are ideal areas to frost glass. This will prevent inhalation of hazardous fumes and limit the amount of accidental spray.
Even if there is no dirt or residue on your windows, you should still wipe it down to ensure that it is dry. Frosting will not adhere well to windows that are moist or oily.
Since individual window panes are typically small on glass paneled doors, stay within the 1-inch margin of the painter’s tape. Using too big of borders will allow more light in but will also reduce the surface area of the frosting.
Be sure to overlap tape strips and press firmly to avoid penetration of overspray to the wood.
Spray some frosting onto something clear, like a piece of plastic, before applying to your window. Make sure that the nozzle sprays steadily and evenly. This will ensure that your frosted glass is smooth and consistent.
Pay attention to the pressure you put on the nozzle, as this will affect how much and how quickly frosting is sprayed. Try to apply enough pressure to spray a steady stream, and do so in short bursts. This will help you apply a light coat that can be sprayed over with another light coat, if necessary. Let the first coat completely dry before spraying on a second coat. Apply each successive coat with the lightest possible amount, even if you have to spray on a third or fourth layer. Gradually applying frosting will limit areas with heavy paint and blemishes. [4] X Research source
The drying process typically takes about 5 minutes, though you should allow an extra few minutes just to be certain. Also take into account how many layers you’ve applied and how heavy, as these factors will also affect drying time. If you are still uncertain about whether or not the paint has dried, leave it for half an hour in which the paint should most likely be dried by then. Avoid touching the frosted area to test its wetness. This will create a smudge in the frosting and will require more layers to repair it.
Keep in mind when cutting that you are creating a large stencil so you will want an inverted image.
If your window has a filmy coating, clean it with vinegar first in order to strip away the oils. Window frosting spray will not stick to a window that is oily.
Tape around the perimeter of the stencil to create a strong hold. If the stencil should slip when the window frosting spray is drying, it will cause the image to smear.
If you are using multiple colors in the design, spray the colors one at a time and allow each one to dry before spraying the next color.
You can speed up the drying process by directing a fan at the window, making sure it is on the low setting to prevent the stencil from shifting.
