There may be a number of different reasons why you would want to color a piece of glass. Regardless of whether it is a windowpane or a wine glass, is it possible to do it with epoxy?
Glass works very well with an epoxy coating. It is a type of material that allows the epoxy to adhere solidly and you will not have any problem getting it to stick, provided you clean the glass and prepare it in advance.
In fact, there are many different types of materials that can be used that will form a very solid bond when epoxy is applied. These materials are quite varied, including anything from plastic to metal and even natural products, such as stone.
In this article, we are going to be focusing primarily on putting epoxy on glass for artistic or crafting reasons. It may also be possible to use certain types of epoxy to get a bond from one material to another.
The epoxy used for bonding 2 pieces works very similarly to other types of epoxy, but most people are not worried about the finished look of the epoxy itself. In fact, they want it to be hidden as much as possible.
The fact is, you can bond glass to many different types of products, including metal and plastic if you use the right type of epoxy. There are some that are made specifically for the purpose but even a two-part epoxy can work nicely if it is used properly.
Can You Put Epoxy On Glass? (How To)
As far as using epoxy on something for artistic reasons, there are some specific considerations that you should not ignore. It is not only a matter of having something you can be proud of, it’s a matter of your personal safety.
For example, you may want to use epoxy on a wine glass in order to beautify it in some way or another. This could be done with color or perhaps you are adding flakes or sparkles in the epoxy.
It certainly is possible to do this but you want to make sure that you are using a food-grade epoxy that is safe for those types of items. Much epoxy is toxic and if you wash it in the dishwasher or put it in the microwave, it could soften the epoxy and you may end up consuming it.
It is important to understand that any type of food-grade epoxy is also going to be toxic when it is in its liquid state. It is only after it cures that it is considered safe.
Another factor to consider is that you may want more than one layer of epoxy. We are not going to cover this in the instructions, but it certainly is possible to do it.
The key to using multiple layers of epoxy is to sand the resin between the coats. This will help to remove any imperfections that may exist in the epoxy and at the same time, it will provide a rough surface so that the new layer of epoxy will adhere properly.
Let’s consider some of the issues associated with applying epoxy on glass and then we will look into how it can be done properly.
Should You Put Epoxy On Glass?
Although glass is an excellent base for applying epoxy, it isn’t perfect by any means. There are some things to keep in mind to avoid the problems that may happen.
Cracking Glass – This is not typically going to be a problem but it is something to keep in mind. When you apply epoxy over glass, the two of them may not expand at the same rate. One may be more flexible than the other and this could lead to cracking.
That being said, it is rare that an epoxy coating is going to crack because of heat or cold. The glass is more likely to crack and if it does, it will take the epoxy along with it.
Bubbles – One of the big problems you will have when pouring epoxy on any surface is the formation of bubbles. You can avoid this by mixing the epoxy by hand but they are still likely to be a problem.
One thing you can do to avoid this problem is to avoid having the epoxy be too thick on the glass. A thinner layer of epoxy is less likely to have bubbles come to the surface as it finds its own level.
You can also use a hair dryer to remove most of the bubbles and to facilitate the spreading of the epoxy over the glass surface. A heat gun can also be used for this purpose.
When heating the epoxy, keep the heat on at least 8 inches away from the surface and continually move it. The heat will cause the bubbles to disappear but using too much heat will damage the epoxy.
Transparency – If you want the piece to look its best, you will not want any transparency. As the epoxy spreads out and gets thinner, however, you may find that you are actually seeing through it and looking at whatever is behind it.
One way to avoid this problem is to use enough epoxy. You don’t want to use so much that you are causing excessive bubbles, but you don’t want to get it so thin that you can see through it.
You can also prepare the surface with a layer of colored epoxy to help knock down this problem. That layer will act as a base and it will keep you from seeing through the glass to the other side.
There also isn’t anything wrong with adding the second layer of epoxy. Just make sure that you sand the surface and wipe it down to remove the dust before doing so.
Dry Resin – If you are doing an art project and putting epoxy on glass, you will likely be using multiple cups. The primary cup will be for the clear resin and then you can mix the colors in the individual cups.
The problem is if you try to get too much of the resin out of the primary cup by scraping it. This can be a problem because you may be introducing solids from the bottom of that mixture into the other cups. It’s better just to pour what is necessary from one cup to the other.
What Tools Do You Need To Put Epoxy On Glass?
There are very few tools necessary for applying epoxy to glass. It’s a good idea to have them available, however, so that you can continue with the job without stopping.
Cups – Have some cups or some small pyramids that will hold the glass above the table. They should all be the same size.
Level – A small level can be used on the glass to ensure that it is not tilting in one direction or another.
Mixing Cups – Use mixing cups that have marks on the side so that you can measure the resin and hardener.
Wood Stirring Sticks – Have a ready supply of stirring sticks on hand because you will be mixing everything manually.
Painter’s Tape – This will be used to tape the backside of the glass so you don’t get any drips.
You should also have some other tools on hand, such as plastic, rags, buckets, a heat gun, a hairdryer, a foam brush, and a plastic scraper.
What Preparations Do You Need To Put Epoxy On Glass?
Now that you have everything ready, it’s time to prepare the glass for epoxy. How can you do it?
Copyright protected content owner: ReadyToDIY.com and was initially posted on November 15, 2022.
Clean – The glass surface should be clean and free from any grease or dirt, including fingerprints. Anything that is on the glass will stop the epoxy from adhering properly.
Elevate and Level – The glass should be put on an elevated surface, such as on top of cups that are turned upside down. This will keep the epoxy from sticking to the edge and the lower surface.
Check to make sure that the glass is level by using a small level. This will keep the epoxy from flowing in one direction.
Tape – Use some painter’s tape on the back edge. This will allow you to remove any drips quickly and easily without ruining the piece.
How To Put Epoxy On Glass
What are the steps necessary to put epoxy on glass? Follow these steps:
1. Mix the Epoxy – You should now mix the epoxy according to the manufacturer’s directions. It is typically a 50-50 mixture of resin and hardener.
Use a wood stirring stick to mix the two together manually. You should mix it by hand because mixing it automatically could introduce bubbles.
2. Spread – The epoxy should be poured on the glass and then you can spread it over the surface with a plastic scraper, a foam brush, or even by picking up the glass and tilting it. Make sure you are wearing gloves. It is acceptable to have the epoxy run over the edge as long as drips are not forming.
3. Heat Gun – As a final step in the process, use a heat gun to remove the bubbles that appear on the surface. Waive the heat gun over the surface, being careful not to hold it in one place too long. The bubbles will be removed automatically.
4. Cure – Finally, don’t touch the finished piece for at least 24 hours while the epoxy cures. Giving it the extra time ensures that you will not make the mistake of ruining the artwork by touching it.
Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on November 15, 2022.
Glass makes an excellent surface for applying an epoxy finish. As long as the glass is clean, the epoxy will stick to it. You can even add a second coat of epoxy if you lightly sand the first coat first and clean the surface again.
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ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on November 15, 2022.