Artist and Culture

Using Back Painted Glass In The Home

There are many ways to spruce up a home and take its decor in an unique direction. But there are few that marry modern design sensibilities with functionality quite like back painted glass. It has the strength to stand up to any of the rigors of the home while providing a surface that when well painted, is beautiful, and smooth to the touch. With back painted glass homeowners even have the option of painting and installing the glass themselves. This article will provide a short guide which should help DIY enthusiasts get started.

Choosing the Right Glass

The professional standard for glass used for back painting is Starphire Glass. This type of glass is regularly used because it has an optical clear property. You may not notice but regular glass has a greenish tint to it. It’s easier to see in thicker pieces of glass, especially at the edges. And the standard thickness of Starphire Glass used varies depending on how it will be used. For kitchen backslashes the standard thickness is 1/4″ or 6mm. And for countertops the standard thickness is 3/4″ or 19mm. The Starphire Glass that you use for backslashes should differ from the type you use for countertops in another fundamental way. Since back painted backslashes will most likely be used in areas that will see regular heat fluctuation, like behind stoves, it should also be tempered. So be sure to buy tempered glass if you wish to use it for this application.

Applying the Paint

Applying the paint is a straightforward affair. But first you should clean the glass with rubbing alcohol and new paper towels. And of course polish it dry with fresh paper towels. Once that’s done you can begin painting which is best done with a spray gun or a mohair roller. A spray gun will be easier and faster but for smaller jobs a roller is more cost effective. With a sprayer it is best to apply 3-4 coats onto the glass, waiting five minutes between each coat. And with a roller you’d apply the same amount of coats but wait 20-30 minutes between each one.

Installing the Glass

You install a glass backsplash the same way you’d install a mirror. You can use mirror mastic, neutral cure silicone and/or double sided grazers tape. The main challenge which comes from this is whether or not you want your backsplash to fit behind a stove. This is a more involved process and may require the aid of a professional.

And the final step is to enjoy your back painted glass!

The author of this article enjoys painting glass and is a glass paint enthusiast.

Gavin Clark & Ted Barnes – Painted Glass

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