DIY frosted glass

[JoeJoe]

I live in a flat and the bathroom window is overlooked. Ideally I would have replaced the clear glass with a frosted one, but as it already has the extractor fan mounted in it, and my budget is limited, I thought that perhaps I could just spray paint it to create the effect until my budget allows for a more permanent solution. If I could get a couple of years out of it, then that will do.

Assuming that the glass is unlikely to be touched/scraped, although it could get quite dump, which type paint should I use?

[johno]

Worrying thought that you will get dump on your windows, maybe a lower fibre diet? ;-))))) Seriously though, you can buy a plastic film that will stick to the glass, or I seem to remember you can buy glass etching liquid, a Google search should do the trick. Hope that helps John

[johno]

Worrying thought that you will get dump on your windows, maybe a lower fibre diet? ;-))))) Seriously though, you can buy a plastic film that will stick to the glass, or I seem to remember you can buy glass etching liquid, a Google search should do the trick. Hope that helps John

[Mark]

I think paint would be a bad idea, how about this instead

[Mike]

At one time you could buy "Fablon" in a semi-transparemt frosted glass effect.

First house we bought had clear bathroom windows, and being skint (naturally) I used it instead of replacing all the glass. Was still there and looking OK 4 years later.

Woolworths certainly used to stock it, and it sounds like just what you need. Take extractor out to fit it though!

Mike

[johno]

Plastic window film

[Frank Erskine]

I've seen "Fablon" in B&Q, but I have no idea what patterns or finishes they sell.

[Lobster]

It would probably be a lot neater and easier to use stick-on film, eg:

[The3rd Earl Of Derby]

You can obtain this in an art shop.

Sir Benjamin Middlethwaite

[Andy Dingley]

Humbrol do an aerosol "glass etch" which is actually a matt translucent varnish. It works well for this job.

It's even funnier as a gift for chemists. To see their face when they realise it's an _aerosol_ glass etchant (before they realise it's actually just varnish)....

[Mary Fisher]

Thanks, Andy, useful to know about for temporary special effects.

Mary

[meow2222]

lol.

Another option, just for completeness, it to hang some shower curtain fabric.

NT

[mcbrien410]

Good God man! For the price they want for a 'wee' panel I'd put a brick through it and fit a new double glazed unit.

[Ed Sirett]

Is that because they think "I the f**k can anyone sell a spray can of HF ?!?!?".

[John]

I used a transparent patterned Fablon for a similar job some years ago. Never liked it - looked cheap and nasty. I suspect damp/condensation might bring most varnishes off.

Have you thought of putting a bit of patterned rigid plastic over the window - either screwed straight on (it can be cut and drilled) or even framed and hinged? It could opened for cleaning - and might serve as effective double glazing. You can buy sheets of Glodex (sp?) or similar in various patterns from DIY centres, even some garden centres. You used to be able to buy diy aluminium framing for secondary glazing, but I haven't seen that in a while.

John

[PM]

If you do use the glass etching liquid, leave small clear letters to spell your postcode :-)

[meow2222]

I rmember seeing that plastic stuff on bog windows in old houses, and it was always cut wrong at the edges, looking rather carp, and leaving gaps that could be seen through. I remember it as generally looking a mess. I assume it can be applied well, but it seems many didnt manage it. So I cant help but have some amount of reservation there.

Sounds much nicer. You could even use shower curtain material and double sided adhesive if you need a no-ish cost job.

Ever though of printing out a bizarre bathroom scene and hanging that in the window??

NT

[Dave]

If you go along with the idea of sticking a film on the glass, be warned that some reflective films go clear at night, when backlit.

[John]

Now THAT I like!! LOL.

You could enlarge a scene from 'Psycho' - that would give the neighbours something to talk about!

John

[zymurgy]

Me too, it'd look like an empty shop.

Can't you pop the window out and get it sandblasted ;-)

P.