Frosting glass

[bazza73]

Hi everyone,

                           The unit-style building ( 36 sqm ) on my Thai GF's land has sliding glass doors and fixed glass panels separating the bedroom from the living area. The intention was to have frosted glass for privacy. Instead, clear glass was installed.

I've tried plastic film. It loses adhesion as soon as the water behind it dries out. Can't find 3M film anywhere in Chiang Rai.

I don't like the idea of acid cream to etch the glass - messy and dangerous with free hydrofluoric acid.

I'm leaning towards spray paint or an acrylic enamel tint base. The products I have seen when googling are all US-based. Does anyone know of local equivalents?

[steven100]

bazza ...  this was a previous thread ... but doesn't really give much info.

Frosted glass spray can - where to find

Started by lifeincnx, April 16, 2015

[bankruatsteve]

A strange design choice for sure.  Why not leave the glass as is and just put up some drapes?

[johng]

You could have a design "media" blasted onto the glass
The shops that sell Marble and Granite slabs for kitchens and bathrooms often advertise the service often with a huge slab of black granite with gold letters engraved onto it (like a headstone) they can use the same stencil and blast method on glass

[ignis]

'I've tried plastic film. It loses adhesion as soon as the water behind it dries out. '

 

Silly question maybe........ after applying the water on the glass did you take off the backing on the film before applying ?  [tried many years before and yes kept peeling off when dry, had no idea back then there was a clear backing on the film]  

 

I put film on all my house windows [ 24 windows + 2 pairs of double doors in total upstairs and down] did them myself that was as soon as the house was built mid 2004, and 13 years later still fine/perfect.. [it is not 3M film]

Edited May 23, 2017 by ignis

[bazza73]

51 minutes ago, bankruatsteve said:

A strange design choice for sure.  Why not leave the glass as is and just put up some drapes?

Had thought of that. Nowhere to put up a curtain rail that would be solid.

[bazza73]

33 minutes ago, ignis said:

'I've tried plastic film. It loses adhesion as soon as the water behind it dries out. '

 

Silly question maybe........ after applying the water on the glass did you take off the backing on the film before applying ?  [tried many years before and yes kept peeling off when dry, had no idea back then there was a clear backing on the film]  

 

I put film on all my house windows [ 24 windows + 2 pairs of double doors in total upstairs and down] did them myself that was as soon as the house was built mid 2004, and 13 years later still fine/perfect.. [it is not 3M film]

There isn't any backing on the film that I can detect. I know static electricity is supposed to keep the film there, but this film is too thick.

 

I will try taping both sides of the film to see if I can pull it apart.

[bankruatsteve]

5 hours ago, bazza73 said:

Had thought of that. Nowhere to put up a curtain rail that would be solid.

I'll bet the local drapery shop could figure it out.  Just sayin.

[RichCor]

Options:

- Mask the glass, use spray paint. As a bonus it comes off with a razor blade.

- Mask the glass, use Compressed Air + fine Sand Particles.

- Hang something decorative directly in front of the glass

- Heavy breathing sometimes gives that fogged up glass effect.

[bazza73]

On 5/23/2017 at 8:27 AM, ignis said:

'I've tried plastic film. It loses adhesion as soon as the water behind it dries out. '

 

Silly question maybe........ after applying the water on the glass did you take off the backing on the film before applying ?  [tried many years before and yes kept peeling off when dry, had no idea back then there was a clear backing on the film]  

 

I put film on all my house windows [ 24 windows + 2 pairs of double doors in total upstairs and down] did them myself that was as soon as the house was built mid 2004, and 13 years later still fine/perfect.. [it is not 3M film]

Hi everyone,

                            I rechecked the plastic. It's impossible to get apart with a sharp knife or fingernails. The trick is to use a small amount of cloth tape on opposing sides of the film to get the two layers to separate. Once that is done, easy-peasy.

My thanks to everyone who contributed to this thread, including the tip about heavy breathing.

[kamalabob2]

Frosted glass is not expensive in isaan. You might get a better "glass shop" or local window installer to switch out the glass to the frosted glass you want. I have frosted tempered glass on four windows at a pool house and it was not a budget breaker. Any local window guy can buy from a wholesale glass and aluminum frame supplier. Those suppliers can buy from the name brand glass companies and 2nd tier suppliers.