How to Add Privacy to Glass

Privacy glass is great for any area where you would like more style, personal space and less opportunity to see into a room. It works particularly well on front door windows and in bathrooms. Replacing a transparent window can be rather expensive. Thankfully there are a number of ways to create your own privacy glass that are both budget-friendly and simple to do. By using removable stickers, you can also add a creative touch to your newly transformed surface.

Frost Spray Your Glass

Step 1 - Visit your local hardware store and speak with a representative about your plans to alter your glass. There are frost glass products available that can be easily applied to the glass, creating a non-transparent frosted finish.

Step 2 - Clean the glass you want to frost with glass cleaner that has an ammonia base to it. Make sure the surface has no fingerprints, dust or lint on it. Wear lint-free gloves throughout this process to ensure that the glass doesn't develop smudges or smears.

Step 3 - Read and follow the directions provided by the manufacturer of the glass frost spray that you are using.

Step 4 - Apply protective tape around the area of the glass you are working on. Choose the removable stickers may want to use to create a decorative component to the frosted glass. Place the removable stickers onto the surface. Press down on all of the edges of all of the stickers and the tape so that they are secured to the glass.

Step 5 - Open all of the windows in the room where you are working so that the fumes from the spray will not become overwhelming. Put on a breathing mask to prevent any breathing issues.

Step 6 - Apply a light coating of the frost spray onto the glass, keeping the spray about a foot away from the area as you work. The spray strokes should be evenly distributed in the same direction across the surface. Allow the spray about 24 hours to dry thoroughly.

Step 7 - Carefully take off the tape and the stickers. If necessary, remove any residue tape from the glass with a scraper. Gently clean the surface again with glass cleaner.

Frost Film Your Glass

If painting your glass seems like it may be too much work, consider adding window film to the area to make it more private. Glass frost film can be found at your local hardware store and is simple to install. These products remain in place on the glass through the use of static electricity. They can be easily removed and reapplied if you are not happy with your first attempt.

Step 1 - Clean the area with glass cleaner. Use a lint-free cloth to wipe off any remaining prints or residue from the surface.

Step 2 - Fill a spray bottle with warm water and then add two or three drops of liquid detergent. Spray the area lightly with the solution before you apply the frosted glass film. Do not remove the spray from the glass. The water solution will enable the film to adhere to the surface.

Step 3 - Remove the backing from the film, making sure that the front of the film does not curl and become stuck to the back. Carefully apply the film to the glass, beginning at the top and working downward. Be sure to gently remove any air bubbles with a squeegee as you are applying the film.

Step 4 - When you have finished applying the frost film, step away from the project area and take a look at it from a distance. Go back and remove any small air bubbles that may be remaining.

Etch Cream Your Glass

You can create a more permanent frost effect by using an etching cream on your glass. These products are also available in most craft and hardware stores.

Step 1 - Be sure to read all of the instructions carefully before beginning the process as it won’t be possible to fix any mistakes you might make once you start.

Step 2 - Tape off the area you want to frost with masking tape. Press down the edges of the tape to ensure that it's secured to the surface of the glass. If the edges are at all loose, the cream can become pressed underneath them and the borders of your etched glass will not as defined as they should be.

Step 3 - Put on rubber gloves to protect your hands from the cream. Apply the cream to the glass surface. Use the brush to scrub the cream into all parts of the surface area you want to etch.

Step 4 - Allow the product to remain on the glass for the amount of time suggested in the manufacturer’s instructions. Once the process is complete, the area will have an etched finish and will no longer be transparent.