doris...so you want to try glass etching, huh?...it's super easy...and very addicting!...so you've been warned!...
first you'll need glass etching cream...i use armour etch...you can get it at michael's or joann's...so make sure you take a coupon!...because it's a little pricey...
then choose whatever surface you're wanting to etch...and clean it very throughly!...don't want anything on there like finger prints and smudges...that'll mess with the etching process...after i've cleaned...i put on gloves...that way i don't touch it accendentially...
i've done the tiles...mirrors...windows...glass doors on my entertainment center...ornaments...vases...wine glasses...glass blocks...casserole dishes...pretty much everything!...see..told you it was addicting!...
just a side note...if you're doing casserole dishes and containers like that...do not use pyrex!...it does not etch evenly..it's best to stick to the cheaper brands...like anchor...which is walmart brand...
then you'll need vinyl or contact paper and some blue painters tape...i've never used the contact paper...but i hear that people get great results with it...plus it's cheaper....
then cut your image out of the vinyl...peel away the backing...and stick to your surface...i find it much easier to use transfer tape...that way the image is all together and you don't have to worry about placing little pieces...the transfer tape is usually sold right beside the vinyl...
now...once the vinyl is placed on your surface...make sure all the edges are down...don't want anything to seep under...just keep rubbing your fingers over it...and if you're doing this without gloves...you'll want to take a paper towel and get all your smudges off...if you're doing something like the tiles...and don't want the edges etched...this is where you'll use your blue painters tape...run it all along the edge...and make sure it's tight with no lumps or bumps...
then grab your etching cream...i like to apply with a foam brush...for me...it gives the most even coating...pile on a a good amount!...you don't want to be able to really see your vinyl through the layer...make sure it's to all the egdes of the vinyl and tape...don't want any bare spots...then leave on for 5 to 10 minutes...sometimes 15...or longer if you forget about it like me!...
then with warm rinse all the cream off...peel off your tape...peel off your vinyl...and it should be all etched!...
hope i did an ok job explaining...if you have any questions...just let me know!...good luck...and i can't wait to see what you come up with!...
carrie aka greenbean
