http://www.forrestrace.com/dry-permenamel-2/
Any advice on glass paints?
My mom is trying to paint some glass ornaments for Christmas and got Delta Air Dry PermEnamel Glass Paint. It hasn’t turned out very well so far– the paint is so runny and imprecise it’s impossible to write or draw with it, and just smears on the glass. She has been using the surface conditioner and it doesn’t seem to help. Does anyone have experience with this paint, and have any tips for us? Or what paint would work better? We don’t want to go out a get another brand just to have the same problem. Thanks!
I think the problems you are encountering are a combination of the following, glass that still has some residue, not thinning the paints sufficiently with a quick drying thinner that allows you to work on curved surfaces, and not having a good way to not move the ornaments while they are being painted and drying. Also, I don’t know about your brushes, but the wrong ones will cause streaks and smears.
Here are some guidelines that I have gleaned from the Internet and my own experience:
The piece of glass chosen for glass painting should have a smooth, plain and clear surface. Printed glass and designed surfaces should not be used, as the painting will not be prominent then. Since natural oils from the hands tend to smudge the glass surface, it is advisable to put on surgical or latex gloves while handling the glass piece.
The glass surface should be cleaned adequately to free it from dust and dirt. The glass paint will fail to stick on a dusty surface. The glass surface should be thoroughly dried using a paper towel or clean cloth. First you need to clean the glass. Use nail polish remover to get all of the oils off new glass. No matter how good you are, your paints will smear if this residue is not removed.
If you are drawing freehand place a white cloth or paper below the glass for clarity while painting. If you using an outliner make sure that you let it dry thoroughly. Depending on the humidity this could take 1/2 to 3 hours.
Trace out the design using the black liner provided in the kit. This step must be done carefully, as it is this black outline that defines the final glass painting. Make sure the lining is smooth, with least number of breaks and bumps. You can carry out this step slowly, taking as much time as one requires.
Be careful not to smudge the previously drawn outline while outlining another portion of the painting. Allow the outline to dry completely. Beginners may find some extra lines formed while outlining. Such extra lines can be removed with the help of a blade or outline thinner.
Once the outline has dried completely, start painting. Glass paints come in bottles with a user-friendly nozzle, which allows one to apply the paint directly onto the glass. However, if the glass paint is available in wide-mouth bottles, then the paint can be applied using a good acrylic enamel brush (a thin one). Stir the bottles well before use, and never mix them with water, as water thins the paint.
To avoid bubbles do not shake the bottle before painting… use only small quantities at a time on the brush.and apply the paint in thin layers. If bubbles persist, burst them with a pin or tip of an X-Acto knife / razor immediately.
Many people use the wrong brushes for applying enamels. You need a VERY soft brush – Donna Dewberry sells sets that have white bristles. Be sure you are working with enamel / acrylic brushes, not ones for regular paints, watercolors, etc. Cheap brushes are a really bad investment. Otherwise, use an airbrush to apply the paint.
Narrow down the painting in smaller zones, and concentrate on one zone at a time. This way, the painting will not appear so intimidating. Always remember to allow the paints in one zone to dry completely before doing the adjacent ones. This is because there is the possibility of paints from one zone seeping into the other through the outline, and then merging. This will ruin the entire painting.
While applying the paints, you should ensure that the glass piece is kept intact. Moving the glass can cause the paint to run all across the painting, thereby ruining it. The glass piece should not be disturbed until the glass paint dries completely. Keep siblings and pets away! Once the paint has dried, go ahead and use the item.
When you apply the paint on the outlined design, make sure the surface is flat or else the colour will spill over into other areas.
To see mistakes, always work with as good a light as possible. Use artificial light with a natural spectrum bulb if possible. Don’t have air moving while painting. Use thinner in the color to create thin layers. The thinner will evaporate and the paint will become darker over time.
Once you have painted your glassware, never leave the painting in a bright open place else the color may fade and dust may accumulate on the piece. Let it dry under a tent of plastic.
To paint on curved surfaces you need fast drying polyurethane medium and dilute the paints.
Have q-tips and cotton balls available for fixing mistakes. Q-tips are ideal for quick fixes.
Do not paint any designs where they will come in contact with food or your mouth. If you want to decorate mugs, stemware, etc. make sure the design is at least 1 1/2 inches below the rim. If you decorate tableware, use clear plates and paint on the back side in the reverse order so that the designs show through the glass.