How to make a faux (fake) stained glass window

[dwill67]

Thanks for posting this video. I've been looking up instructions on how to stain glass as a beginner and it has been very hard to get any info. This has been extremely helpful and has made the idea of doing a project at home much more obtainable.

[LisaSparklesXOXO]

Where can I get the glass from?

[gryphern]

@LisaSparklesXOXO You can buy sheets of window glass, or if you don't want to re-use the glass for another project, sheets of acrylic glass at hardware stores. Home Depot or Lowes sell their scraps. I buy tester pieces of glass or acrylic for five cents to a dollarfrom their scrap bin to try techniques.

[neogeo0823]

I'm thinking of using this technique for making colored glass pieces for a fountain I'm making. Does anyone know if the paint will wash off if it comes into contact with water over long periods of time?

[gryphern]

@neogeo0823 Yes it will, liquid will get between the paint and the glass and it will come off. You need to SEAL the paint with a waterproof sealer. If you seal it, then you're golden.

[neogeo0823]

@gryphern Cool. I'm assuming that the sealer will be sold wherever I can find the paint, right? Hopefully it won't be too expensive...

[gryphern]

@neogeo0823 Look for marine varnish or waterproof acrylic sealer. I've seen some people use Mod Podge as a sealant, but I don't know how long it lasts, especially if exposed to UV light (sunlight.)

[HikariYamino]

How do i finish it off? As in i want to make it permanent? What do i spray it with?

[gryphern]

@HikariYamino You can add an extra layer of protection with a clear acrylic brushed on coat, but unless you scratch it off this will last a long time, especially if it is somewhere that doesn't get contacted.

[juansito52]

great thanks for the tips

[Fireballofdolera]

wtf that music in the end lol

[PriceWaterhouseCoopa]

Marry me. Who is Ben?

[deliaruben]

your work is wonderful. I am practicing - How do I get away from brush lines. am trying different brushes but can't get smooth enough. what kind of acrylics do you use?

[gryphern]

@deliaruben

I use Basics brands acrylics for windows, because they're cheap, but have light-fastness ratings on them which is good for paints that are exposed to light! If brush marks are a problem, try a wide, very soft brush with fine bristles and use a gentle "lapping" motion.

[Shareallicu]

@gryphern, do you know if that paint works on Plexiglass too?

[shahed2oo6]

nice vid,=D i was wondering if i can do this directly  on my window and will the colors rowan the glass?

like can i take it of if i don't like it and the glass will be ok? if not what product should i yous that wont rowan the glass and can be taken of easily

[gryphern]

This is good for windows. I have done this on four windows, and the windows are fine. To remove the paint, spray with glass cleaner, let the glass cleaner soak in, then the paint wipes away. You want to use an "Ammonia-based" glass cleaner.

[shahed2oo6]

thanks,i cant wait to try it on my window =D

thanks again :)

[PalmyBruce]

Very interesting, thanks. What's your advice about making the result more permanent? I'm considering doing it in my house. The existing leadlight is a bit old and bucked and fragile. What about things like finishing it with marine varnish or something - any experience, re. UV, scratching, washing damage or other deterioration/durability? Thanks, Tomo in New Zealand.

[gryphern]

1. UV is a big issue especially for reds and oranges. You can buy paints or powdered pigments that have "light fastness" or "light rating" printed on them. Higher end paint companies rate their own paints, for example Basics acrylics have a star rating system for resistance to fading. Some window decal/window sticker products fail miserably, such as Pebeo brand window decal product, with sunlight the red is completely gone in 6 months--I wouldn't trust Liquid Rainbow brand, either.

[gryphern]

2. So if you're willing to pay for high quality paint, you'll have a good result. There's two kinds glass specific paints, which I don't suggest using for windows, the peel off paints and the bake on paints. The peel off paints are crud (like the earlier Pebeo paints mentioned) the bake paints can stand up to abuse, but to be long-lasting they require the item painted be baked in an oven. They are not made for windows, but glassware and miniatures.

[gryphern]

3. Normal glass allows the transmission of UV light, not all of it, but enough to ruin paints that are not created to be UV resistant. You can use UV blocking sprays over and under a layer of paint to help lend it resistance. However, such coatings are not perfect so combination of high quality pigments and a UV spray sealant are good. Marine varnish is very thick, great for protection, but may create a plastic looking final window. Try outdoor UV spray coatings.

[gryphern]

4. Short of UV from a bulb or window the biggest killer of a painted, sealed glass piece would be water vapor working its way under and between the layers, then forcing them apart. For a lamp that is kept warm by a bulb it shouldn't ever matter. I find scratching isn't an issue with so much color and texture to distract the eye, and did a window in a childrens classroom, and it stood up to lots of abuse.

[gryphern]

5. WASHING. Patting an un-sealed acrylic painted window with a smooth, dampened cloth is good for removing grime. Window cleaners with ammonia MAKE THE PAINT FALL OFF THE GLASS. Great for removal, bad for longevity. If your glass piece will be in situations where it will get dirty, spray sealant will allow you to properly wipe it clean. Call the company that makes the sealant and ask what's safe to use on it, urethanes, like your marine varnish, can take a heavy beating.

[CINNAMONbunny06]

what a fun craft idea! :)

[missteriouslee]

This was very helpful! Thank you!

[No0Nonsense0Taylor]

Does it have to be black, white and the basic colors of acrylic paint? Can it be any other colors like that brown you used? It looks really neat.

[plad556]

what do u use to make the thing with the dragon and the paints

[gryphern]

Adobe flash, it's a computer program that is good for making animation. It is expensive to buy, even if you get a discount for being a student, but most schools have a copy of it you can use.

[plad556]

Oh thanks

[gratscot]

Awsome videos, your very original!

[iagrl]

Very cool! Thanks for sharing this video and your knowledge. I can't wait to make one.

[IRellevant]

could you use black hot glue sticks instead of black acrylic paint?

[gryphern]

Yes, in that it would work, no in that you would never get the residue off the glass. So for a movie prop or permanent art piece (like you're getting the windows replaced anyway, so why not?) gopher it. The melting adhesives in hot glue include waxes and resins and no amount of wiping gets them off, you have to use hard core wax removers in addition to residue left from the melting EVA and other chemicals.

[truemirror]

To clean off the dried paint off of glass (not plastic), use a flat razor blade and it will scrap off easily... even the crayon.

[DrMadBrewer]

This is brilliant--thanks so much for this very informative video! I'm now working on a Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired glass lampshade using your technique. Will be sure do do plenty of practicing on plastic first! Excellent and thorough instruction video.

[lancetop]

Can regular acrylic paint be used in this project?

[TheCrazyB133]

is there a way to make the piping dry faster? i need this in approx. 18 hours

[gryphern]

Blow dry the sucker--on medium heat---glass cracks if heated rapidly, and the plastic can burn. The idea isn't to cook it, just to speed up evaporation. You may get some wrinkles in the piping, but if you ant to use the piece again in the future you can go over the wrinkles.

[lancetop]

THANKS for posting this!

[gryphern]

You're WELCOME!

[TheCrazyB133]

thank you very much. great vid by the way

[ohsofunny18]

would u care to make a video on how to make a stained glass cup cuz i need to do a project on stained glass so i wanted to do like a cup sort of like the ones you would see at european cathedrals or something

[gryphern]

ACTUALLY I just did a fake stained glass project with glass paints AND I got to visit the Museum of Glass in the home of cool glass Corning New York--Do you have a reference photo or a description of the project!?

[ohsofunny18]

not really i just need Christian designs that are simple..how would u do it on a glass like a goblet or a wine glass?? Could u post up a vid or something?? plz comment back!!!

[gryphern]

I'll send you quickie vid by youtube tomorrow-- cheapest option is FolkArt brand enamels, they're acrylic paints for glass. And they're only 2-4 dollars a tube, so with black, white, red, blue, yellow, you can make any color. You bake them in the oven when you're done painting to harden them. MUCH cheaper than the three part glass painting kits. Without a clear topcoat they're likely to scratch, but it takes a lot of destruction to really hurt the folkart enamels.

[gryphern]

I found a huge variety of them at JoAnne crafts-call ahead, each store's purchasing manager will buy different products. Make sure the store knows it's Folkart ENAMELS and not plain folkart brand.

[KayaTetsu]

Do you think you could do this with plexiglass? Like If I want to make a movie prop.

[gryphern]

Yes, but expect it to stain the plastic, Plexiglas and it's cousins will absorb the paint a bit, so you can't reuse the Plexiglas after, which you can do with glass or mirrors.

[KayaTetsu]

Would a clear coat or something of the sort fix this, you think?

[gryphern]

Sort of. A clear coat would likely be acrylic spray, and Plexiglas and its cousins are acrylic products. So, in effect, you would be protecting the original acrylic, but then you'd be staining the new acrylic clear coat--which you would be unable to strip off easily. Do not despair! If this is an effect you'll want to do over and over on the same piece of Plexiglas-type material, then don't worry, minor staining will not be noticeable under a thin layer of paint from job to job.

[gryphern]

Like glass, you can use window spray to remove the previous paint job from the acrylic.

[cookiedough8184]

Great video! Very clear instructions! :D

[kessval]

Great demo and clear instructions. Do you think acrylic craft paints (like Apple Barrel) would also work? They are a bit thinner than the tube variety.

I'm getting ready to do this project with my art class.

[HigiltyPigilty]

i love teh video nice work

[cornbreadjoe]

Thanks. Excellent video.

[kmmzproductions]

bad parrot! :-P 

it looks really good when it's done in front of the light.

[SG77com]

Okay

[marioscandles]

GREAT....no...AWESOMELY GREAT VIDEO presentation!~

You've got a fan in me~

All the best...say hi to polly~

Mario.

[seashorecanadian]

Not only GREAT content! A GREAT teacher! and willing to SHARE real info without guarding secrets we can't duplicate. I could watch and learn all day! Thanks

[RobLeepopart]

pretty damn cool

[wowzer088]

great, tyvm

[BubbleCow]

Wow! These tutorials of yours are very very helpful! Way more than the famous artists who use expensive things no one could ever make! thank you so much.

[gryphern]

Yeah, a lot of people put all their money into some totally unknown and esoteric material, then try to cut costs by using cheap supplies for everything else. For exmaple: Painting wicker furniture with housepaint to match a color scheme. All you do is end up with paint flakes on your paints and a ruined 150 US Dollar chair!

[epoch9]

wow! this technique looks great!

[Jeronimus]

Does this have a different effect when done on say plexiglass (acrylic glass)? Seems safer (for me at least) when it comes to accidentally breaking the glass (or just for when transporting it somewhere for use, plexiglass has virtually no danger of breaking)

[gryphern]

The acrylic paint will be more likely to stain plexiglas, so a plexiglas application should not be done in a fixed window pane. As for a movie prop or a prop for a band (like stand alone gothic style stained glass windows with lights behind them on stage) it would be totally fine. The acrylic paint can be scratched away from either a glass or plexiglas surface, so be gentle during transport. Coating with spray acrylic will reduce transparency.

[Jeronimus]

Thanks for replying so fast. I'll keep those things in mind if I ever want to make a stained glass window. And yeah I was kind of thinking of props for movies/plays and stuff when I asked the question.

[boyprodegy]

You are a fun lady! Thank's

[mabuti8]

Man, you have some time on your hands :P

Still waiting to make halloween costumes, lol

[gryphern]

No, no I don't! I'm a full-time graduate student working on my thesis right now. What I do have is 15 minutes now and then, and that's when I'll snap together a video and get a project done at the same time. By jumping into a project and not being overly careful or slow-paced you can get really good results in a very short time.

[ogunshi]

Very nice.

Has it fool anyone into into thinking it is read?

[gryphern]

I did I window at a high school, and it did actually fool some people into thinking it was real!

[ogunshi]

I made one using colored resin and wire before, cost over $200 and just didn't look right. Now you come along and so the same thing for under $10, and it looks so much better. Somehow that just isn't right.

[Gekkology]

That is pretty cool!

I always wanted this great light through stained glass

[gryphern]

Дякую!

[Gekkology]

Дякую тобі!!!^_^

I'll credit you if I use it in my film!

[oblenob]

second. nice I like this it is good

[dcollins39212]

1st comment