How to Make Windows Opaque

How to Make Windows Opaque
Written By
Tina Lane
Tina Lane
Published: Jan 24, 2010
Updated: Nov 20, 2021
2 minute read

For those who desire complete privacy with less light passing through, glass paint is available.

Things You Will Need

  • Glass cleaner
  • Towels
  • Painter's tape
  • Clear adhesive vinyl
  • Craft knife
  • Glass etching cream
  • Glass paint
  • Paintbrush

Frosted Windows

  1. Clean the window with glass cleaner to remove all dirt and grime from the surface.

  2. Dry the glass completely with a dry towel making sure to remove all traces of moisture.

  3. Trim all the edges of the window with painter’s tape or clear adhesive vinyl to protect them from treatment. Use a craft knife, if necessary, to line up the protective covering as close to the edge of the glass as possible.

  4. Apply etching cream evenly to the entire window using a paintbrush.

  5. Refer to the etching cream packaging for how long to leave the cream on the window before removing.

  6. Clean off the remaining cream from the window using a damp cloth. Dry with a separate towel. The entire window should now be frosted.

Painted Windows

  1. Prepare the windows by cleaning and applying trim adhesive (see Steps 1 through 3 from Section 1).

  2. Apply one coat of glass paint directly onto the glass using a paintbrush.

  3. Allow the paint to dry completely.

  4. Repeat the previous two steps as desired to achieve a deeper color or darker coverage.

The Drip Cap

  • Windows that are exposed to the neighbors or a busy street may require additional privacy.
  • Dry the glass completely with a dry towel making sure to remove all traces of moisture.
  • Dry with a separate towel.
  • Apply one coat of glass paint directly onto the glass using a paintbrush.

References

Photo Credits

Thinkstock/Comstock/Getty Images

Thinkstock/Comstock/Getty Images

Tina Lane

Tina Lane is a freelance writer and blogger in the Cincinnati and Dayton area. Her work has been published in the Eastsider Magazine, The Voice of the Miami Valley, and various online media. She blogs at FloridaGirlMeetstheMidwest.com,…

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