How to Frost Glass

Frosting is crucial for adding privacy to the windows in your home, especially those in the bathroom. The process involves spraying a "foggy" solution onto parts of the window to make it slightly opaque. This allows natural light inside the room while obscuring the view into the room. Frosting glass isn't difficult, but it requires focus and attention to detail to ensure that the frost is applied correctly. Here are some ways to frost glass.

Steps

Frosting a Large Window

1. Wash the window thoroughly with a rag and window solution. Scrub until you have removed all dust and debris from the surface.^[1]
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   • After washing, dry the window completely. Make sure you leave no paper or fabric on the surface as this could affect the look of the frosted glass once it dries.
   
   
   
   


2. Tape a border along the inside of your window frame. This border will be the area of the window you don't want frosted.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   • Use blue painter's tape to create your border. Painter's tape is specifically designed to endure wet applications and has a weaker adhesive, allowing it to be easily removed once application is finished.^[2]
   
   
   • For windows with lattice work or muntin bars (strips of wood between the glass), you will need to cover it with tape as well.
   
   
   • 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 all borders are symmetrical to each other; having uneven borders will result in an awkward-looking final product
   
   
   • If your window does not have a frame, simply tape along the outside edges until you have created a border.
   
   
   
   


3. Cover the interior walls of the work area with masking paper or plastic sheeting. Cut it with scissors and tape it using the painter's tape.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   • Avoid leaving any openings or gaps where the spray may enter.
   
   
   • When working indoors, open doors and windows and turn on fans to help circulate the air. Consider wearing a particle mask to protect your nose and mouth. The spray fumes aren't just pungent, they can be hazardous to your health.^[3]
   
   
   • Take the window outside if you can. This will ensure a well-ventilated work space and will decrease the likelihood of "overspray," or frosting drifting onto other objects in the work area.
   
   
   
   


4. Shake your frosting spray can for the suggested length. The proper length can be found on the back label, but is usually 1-2 minutes.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   • Frosting spray cans can be found in most craft and home improvement stores.
   
   
   • As you shake the can, you should hear the small ball inside begin to rattle. Test by spraying on a small piece of cardboard.^[4] If the can sprays correctly, prepare to frost your glass. If it is still not spraying at a steady rate, continue shaking and testing in 1 minute intervals.
   
   
   
   


5. Spray the window using large, back and forth motions to cover the surface. Hold the frosting can at least from from the window's surface to avoid splotches and runs in the paint.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   • Apply a light coating at first. It is easier to go back and add a second or third layer to even out the frosting, but it is difficult to remove gloppy or runny patches.
   
   
   • Expect it to take between 5-10 minutes of spraying for the frosting to appear on the glass.
   
   
   
   


6. Apply a second coat of frosting once your first coat has completely dried. Use the same back-and-forth motion to create a uniformly frosted surface.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   • If necessary, apply a third or fourth layer of frosting to get the most desired effect. Adhere to the spray can's directions on the wait time required between coats.
   
   
   
   


7. Spray acrylic sealer onto the frosted window after it has completely dried. If you are absolutely satisfied with how the frosting looks, apply sealer to protect the frosted area.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   • Acrylic sealers help protect glass from elements such as moisture and dirt. It sprays a protective gloss coating that can sometimes be permanent.^[5]
   
   
   • If you are unhappy with the frosted surface after the sealant has already been dried, you will need to scrape it off with a razor blade.^[6]
   
   
   
   


8. Remove the painter's tape carefully from the glass once the frosting has dried. Peel slowly to avoid accidentally removing paint from the frosted area.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   • If you worked indoors, remove the painter's tape in a similarly cautious manner. This will prevent removal of paint from the walls.
   
   
   • Use mineral spirits to clean any overspray from your hands or other objects in the room. Do not use mineral spirits to clean items with paint or nice finishes, as this could damage the quality.
   
   
   
   

Frosting a Glass-Panel Door

1. Remove the door from its hinges and lay it on plastic bags. Face the door so that the surfaces you intend to frost are facing up.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   • 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.
   
   
   
   


2. Clean the window surfaces with a cloth and window cleaner. Any residue left on the window will appear in your frosting and will not look as professional.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   • 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.
   
   
   
   


3. Place painter's tape around the outside edges of each window pane. One tape edge should always be against the muntins (wooden frames separating panes).
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   • 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.
   
   
   
   


4. Cover the door frame and the individual muntins with tape. The only visible parts of the door should be the glass surfaces.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   • Be sure to overlap tape strips and press firmly to avoid penetration of overspray to the wood.
   
   
   
   


5. Shake the spray can for 1-2 minutes. Though each can's label advises a specific time, the spray generally requires just a couple of minutes for preparation.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   • 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.
   
   
   
   


6. Spray the glass with a slow, sweeping motion. Hold the spray can about from the surface so that the coat is light and even.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   • 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.^[7]
   
   
   
   


7. Remove the tape from the door frame, muntins, and glass. Be sure that the frosting has dried first before removing the tape, as this could damage the outline.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   • 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.
   
   
   
   

Designing your Frosted Glass

1. Cover the area of the window you want to frost with a large sheet of paper. Attach it with a removable type of tape, such as painter's tape or masking tape.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   


2. Sketch the design you want to create with a pencil. Keep in mind that complex designs will be difficult to create with frosting spray, though it is possible with a lot of time and patience.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   


3. Remove the sketched paper from the window and lay it on a flat, scratch resistant surface. Use a razor knife to cut out the design, making sure to leave the outline intact.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   • Keep in mind when cutting that you are creating a large stencil so you will want an inverted image.
   
   
   
   


4. Clean the glass thoroughly with ammonia cleaner and a lint free cloth. This will prevent any dirt smudges or flakes from appearing in your design.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   • 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.
   
   
   
   


5. Attach the stencil to the window using the removable tape. Make sure it is positioned exactly where you want the design to be.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   • 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.
   
   
   
   


6. Spray the exposed window under the stencil with the frosting spray. The closer you are to the glass, the thicker and darker the frosting will be.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   • 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.
   
   
   
   


7. Allow the frosted design to dry thoroughly before removing the stencil.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   • 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.
   
   
   
   


8. Remove the stencil when the image is completely dry. Slowly peel off the tape while holding the stencil in place to prevent it from sliding across the image. Lift the stencil off the glass in a fluid motion.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Tips

• When you are ready to change the design of your frosted glass windows, use the straight edge of a razor blade to scrape it off. Clean the window with soap and warm water.


• If possible, recruit the help of a friend who knows how to frost glass when you are attempting to do it for the first time. This will make it less frustrating for you when learning the fine details of frosting glass.

Things You'll Need

• Large sheet of paper


• Masking tape


• Razor knife


• Ammonia window cleaner


• Lint free cloth


• Vinegar


• Window frosting spray

Sources and Citations

Related wikiHows

• How to Get Tape off of Glass


• How to Stencil or Frost a Mirror


• How to Frost Windows


• How to Bend Glass


• How to Create Glass


• How to Do Glass Painting from a Pattern Tracing

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