How to Frost Glass

Frosted windows can make a house look elegant, festive or funny, depending upon the look you are going for. In fact, the best part about frosting windows yourself is that it's not permanent and you can constantly change the look to match your mood, the holidays or the seasons. Window frosting spray is available in a wide variety of colors at your local hardware store or online. Learning how to frost glass can be fun for the whole family or workplace.

1. Cover the area of the window you want to frost with a large sheet of paper. Attach it with a removable type of tape, such as painter's tape or masking tape.
2. Sketch the design you want to create with a pencil. Keep in mind that complex designs will be difficult to create with frosting spray, though it is possible with a lot of time and patience.
3. Remove the sketched paper from the window and lay it on a flat, scratch resistant surface. Use a razor knife to cut out the design, making sure to leave the outline intact.
   • Keep in mind when cutting that you are creating a large stencil so you will want an inverted image.
4. Clean the glass thoroughly with ammonia cleaner and a lint free cloth. This will prevent any dirt smudges or flakes from appearing in your design.
   • If your window has a filmy coating, clean it with vinegar first in order to strip away the oils. Window frosting spray will not stick to a window that is oily.
5. Attach the stencil to the window using the removable tape. Make sure it is positioned exactly where you want the design to be.
   • Tape around the perimeter of the stencil to create a strong hold. If the stencil should slip when the window frosting spray is drying, it will cause the image to smear.
6. Spray the exposed window under the stencil with the frosting spray. The closer you are to the glass, the thicker and darker the frosting will be.
   • If you are using multiple colors in the design, spray the colors one at a time and allow each one to dry before spraying the next color.
7. Allow the frosted design to dry thoroughly before removing the stencil.
   • You can speed up the drying process by directing a fan at the window, making sure it is on the low setting to prevent the stencil from shifting.
8. Remove the stencil when the image is completely dry. Slowly peel off the tape while holding the stencil in place to prevent it from sliding across the image. Lift the stencil off the glass in a fluid motion.

• When you are ready to change the design of your frosted glass windows, use the straight edge of a razor blade to scrape it off. Clean the window with soap and warm water.
• If possible, recruit the help of a friend who knows how to frost glass when you are attempting to do it for the first time. This will make it less frustrating for you when learning the fine details of frosting glass.

• Large sheet of paper
• Masking tape
• Razor knife
• Ammonia window cleaner
• Lint free cloth
• Vinegar
• Window frosting spray