Paint for engraving glass

[boomer48]

snip...

My meager understanding, though, is that it shouldn't matter nearly as much with black paint.

...snip

Black paint will NOT get you black "engraving" on glass. See earlier post for more info.

Yeah, I understand that. Should have made it clearer when I posted but I was in a rush. My question is whether or not the type of paint/magic marker/whatever is as critical to a good outcome for black to get the white etching.

[WillV]

Yeah, I understand that. Should have made it clearer when I posted but I was in a rush. My question is whether or not the type of paint/magic marker/whatever is as critical to a good outcome for black to get the white etching.

Ah! I see.


Nope. Make the glass opaque. Ya don't want the laser to go through the glass. Paint is what I've used. I've heard of people using magic marker or nail polish. YMMV.

Test test test

[MacDoktor]

I have been using the cold galvanizing paint from rust oleum. I went to Home Depot and Lowe’s to pick up another can and it is suspiciously unavailable. Must be some environmental thing.

Zinc oxide is toxic. You'll need good ventilation. Wearing a respirator is recommended.

[Vcolley]

I tried the tempera paint and like the frosted result. My problem is getting a clear uniform coat of paint on the glass..It streaks and the more I try and smooth it out, the more it streaks. Any suggestions? I did try just “laying the brush” on lightly, barely touching, but it still streaks.

[Fiskauto]

I tried the tempera paint and like the frosted result. My problem is getting a clear uniform coat of paint on the glass..It streaks and the more I try and smooth it out, the more it streaks. Any suggestions? I did try just “laying the brush” on lightly, barely touching, but it still streaks.

I haven't personally tried it yet but can it be thinned out some and sprayed for a more even coat? It's water soluble.

[rebeltaz]

I tried the tempera paint and like the frosted result. My problem is getting a clear uniform coat of paint on the glass..It streaks and the more I try and smooth it out, the more it streaks. Any suggestions? I did try just “laying the brush” on lightly, barely touching, but it still streaks.

I always spray it through a cheap siphon feed airbrush

[boomer48]

I tried the tempera paint and like the frosted result. My problem is getting a clear uniform coat of paint on the glass..It streaks and the more I try and smooth it out, the more it streaks. Any suggestions? I did try just “laying the brush” on lightly, barely touching, but it still streaks.

I'm just starting to try out glass etching and have the same issue. One thing I just thought of but haven't tried is the "pour art" method. Thin it with a bit of water, pour it on the glass and move it around to cover. Let the excess drip off the edges. Not sure if that would give a uniform coat but the foam brush certainly doesn't. If I get a warm enough day to take the laser out to the garage I might give that a try.

[MacDoktor]

One thing I just thought of but haven't tried is the "pour art" method. Thin it with a bit of water, pour it on the glass and move it around to cover. Let the excess drip off the edges. Not sure if that would give a uniform coat but the foam brush certainly doesn't.

Try spinning it.

[boomer48]

I tried the tempera paint and like the frosted result. My problem is getting a clear uniform coat of paint on the glass..It streaks and the more I try and smooth it out, the more it streaks. Any suggestions? I did try just “laying the brush” on lightly, barely touching, but it still streaks.

Okay, tried a few things for applying tempera paint. The pour method was so-so. It covered pretty well but I still had it too thick to easily spread around. Tried a small manual spray bottle with thinned paint. Didn't come out evenly enough. Last I tried one of those 4-inch paint rollers with unthinned paint. That actually looks pretty good after two coats. Being water based paint, the roller clean up is pretty easy.

[michvhf]

I tried the tempera paint and like the frosted result. My problem is getting a clear uniform coat of paint on the glass..It streaks and the more I try and smooth it out, the more it streaks. Any suggestions? I did try just “laying the brush” on lightly, barely touching, but it still streaks.

Okay, tried a few things for applying tempera paint. The pour method was so-so. It covered pretty well but I still had it too thick to easily spread around. Tried a small manual spray bottle with thinned paint. Didn't come out evenly enough. Last I tried one of those 4-inch paint rollers with unthinned paint. That actually looks pretty good after two coats. Being water based paint, the roller clean up is pretty easy.

One of the guys on the LE Discord dips the glass in the Tempera paint. If it's some kind of drinking glass (shot glass, mug, ...) he grabs it with needle nose pliers and dips it. Not thinned either. I've tried brushing it on with varied success. My next one will be dipping once I find the right container.