I’ve been experimenting with painting glazed tiles because I’ve been asked in the past to do it and I knew I’d be asked again. Today’s customer asked me about painting mirrored closet doors. She hates the mirrors, but they are top of the line doors and work very well. Replacing them would be very expensive. If I could figure out a way to paint them, I would be her hero.
I have yet to find a primer that works well enough on tile and I’m assuming glass would be similar. We discussed it before in this thread: http://forums.taunton.com/tp-breaktime/messages?msg=67715.1
There used to be a guy here (also named Don) that etched glass. I was thinking that maybe etching/frosting before painting might work. Anybody know? How about the GlassMasterworks guy, you still around?
-Don
Replies
Glue veneer over them.
She hates the mirrors
Maybe her time/money would be better spent improving her self esteem.
Sorry, I can't help with the paint. I avoid it at all costs.
--------------------------
It's only satisfying if you eat it.
you can sand blast a design into them or you can apply a film on them.
you can sand blast a design into them or you can apply a film on them.
Could you elaborate about applying a film?
-Don
How 'bout wallpaper? Lite pattern can be primed and painted.
Troy Sprout
Square, Level & Plumb Renovations
Don: I'm still here. Will send you more details later tonight. I'm in the process of slapping down hungry crocodiles as we speak. They are ripping my Jockey Shorts off.
Don
The Glass Masterworks
"If it scratches, I etch it!"
Guys, guys!!! Come on, this guy needs real answers.
Don, they can be painted just fine. I have done painted interior glass doors, actually frameless doors like the shower doors, only not for showers. First chemically etch the glass. Then prime and paint it. You can do this yourself, but since you haven't done it before have a glass guy do it or show you. He will have the right primer and paint and it's not that expensive unless you want some form of artistic picture painted on.
DG/Builder
Don,
Glidden makes a latex primer called "Grrripper" or similar, that sticks to clean glass pretty well. There was a sample glass mirror at HD a few years ago and I could see where skeptical builders and HO's had tried to pick the paint off the glass, with small success. The glass had not been etched prior to painting.
Bill
Don,
UberCleanliness and automotive primer.
How clean, you ask?
Take three old all cotton T-shirts and wash them normally. Then run them thru a full cycle without detergent. Wash them again in plain water with 1 cup white vinegar added. If your wife uses fabric softner on your Tees, buy some lint free rags instead.
Go to your local pharmacy and ask for a pint of dry alcohol, 98% dry. The druggie will want to know what you're gonna use it for. Everclear works too, and you can make some really good punch for the church social later...
Stop by the auto parts and buy a spray bomb of Rustoleum Automotive primer. Any color.
Wash the mirrors with one o' them T-shirts and Windex or similar, then, with another tee and white vinegar, then another tee and the dry alcohol, then another . . . oh yer outa tees, OK done.
Set a metal, glass, or ceramic 'touch plate' next to the mirrors. Spray a very, very fine mist coat on the mirrors and touch plate. When the paint on the touch plate is no longer tacky to a light touch, spray another fine mist. Repeat until the mirrors are barely, barely, barely covered with the Rustoleum and let dry >36 hrs.
The next day, prime and paint as you normally would.
SamT
Thanks for such thorough info. I would be remiss if I did not honor your efforts by trying this technique.
-Don