Painting glass

Hi,

I'm thinking of building a vanity having a top made of glass (see attached diagram). The top would be 800mm x 470mm.

I've had a quote of $450 for painted 10mm toughed glass (top + door inserts), half of which is the cost of the painting. Can I paint it myself without it looking awful? I've seen other answers where the assumption is that spraying is preferable to hand painting, but given we're talking about the back of the glass, would it matter as long as I make it a solid coat?

Given the glass will sit on top of an HMR carcass, would 6mm glass be sufficient?

What about attaching the glass to the carcass - is Liquid Nails OK?

Thanks

Tony

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Originally Posted by tony2096

Can I paint it myself without it looking awful? I've seen other answers where the assumption is that spraying is preferable to hand painting, but given we're talking about the back of the glass, would it matter as long as I make it a solid coat?

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Yes, but make sure the first coat is using paint that has been thoroughly mixed (for this there's no such thing as "too much") and that it's given more than ample curing time before the 2nd coat goes on.

What paint're you using? Jam?

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Given the glass will sit on top of an HMR carcass, would 6mm glass be sufficient?

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I doubt it, not for the top to a vanity. Jars will be dropped on it. :rolleyes: 10mm is about right, although personally I'd like to go thicker again.

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What about attaching the glass to the carcass - is Liquid Nails OK?

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I'd use acid-free Silicone, as used for bonding mirrors. Liquid nails is too strong a bond, with any timber movement either the bond will fail or the glass will crack. Ordinary Silicone will eat away the paint.

Thanks for the response.

I'm now thinking of just getting the glass professionally painted - I'll be spending quite a bit of time making the vanity so the thought of the paint failing down the track due to my inexperience doesn't inspire me.

Tony

I tried painting a test piece of glass it it looks fine, so now I'm back to thinking I can do this myself!

I used ESP + 2 coats of White Knights acrylic enamel.
I didn't take a lot of care with the painting and on the painted side you can still see the brush strokes but when I turn it upside down and place it on the carcass the reflection is perfect and the paint film is solid.

What would you recommend as a paint: enamal or acrylic?

Given that it will be in contact with the carcass, I guess it should be the same as you'd use on window sashes ie enamel

Any other recommendations?

Tony

Quote:

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Originally Posted by tony2096

I tried painting a test piece of glass it it looks fine, so now I'm back to thinking I can do this myself!

I used ESP + 2 coats of White Knights acrylic enamel.
I didn't take a lot of care with the painting and on the painted side you can still see the brush strokes but when I turn it upside down and place it on the carcass the reflection is perfect and the paint film is solid.

What would you recommend as a paint: enamal or acrylic?

Given that it will be in contact with the carcass, I guess it should be the same as you'd use on window sashes ie enamel

Any other recommendations?

Tony

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I would recommend acrylic only because that's what our painter did with our shop windows, As you say, it looks pretty ordinary from the inside but great from the outside

I went through the same thing with the kitchen splash backs. I trialed painting by brush, roller and spray can (don't have a gun)
Tried acrylic and oils. Tried adding sparkles....

It all looked crap! air bubbles on the glass are the worse.

I am expecting the glass splashbacks to arrive any day painted by a professional (automotive paint) and the installers take all the risks of mismeasuring or breakages.