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Anyone use plate etched/backpainted glass for backsplash?

12 years ago

Not technically a kitchen question, but this is Backsplash Central, here, so...

I'm considering doing this for our main/guest bath, since I found a gorgeous remnant of Austral Blue. That will take first place as focus, and I want etched or backpainted glass for the backsplash (preferably etched--don't want the double reflections from the shiny granite).

Does anyone have any experience with this? Or did anyone have it done by professionals? Pictures would help greatly. Thanks in advance for anything anyone can share.

Comments (6)

palimpsest
12 years ago
Yes I did.

I used Starphire Glass but I back painted it myself and had them come back and install it. It took about 7 coats of paint.

Here is a link that might be useful: Backsplash seen here
mahatmacat1
Original Author
12 years ago
Thanks, palimpsest! I can't tell from the pics - do you have a glossy countertop? And what did you backpaint it with? Did you use a high-adhesion primer for glossy surfaces? How has it held up? Hope you don't mind all the questions. I appreciate your posting.
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I love my glass backsplash for the look. Use Starfire (Starphire?) glass if you want the back painting to be truer to color and not green-tinted. However, my first one cracked on installation and the current one has a stress crack in the same spot. In order to change it I would have to remove the plumbing on the sink (complicated in my case), so luckily the crack is hidden. I know of another case where a replacement was needed (something happened to back painting, company replaced) but they had to cut a slot in the wall into the next room to slide it into place. Its a great look, and I would do it again. Just be aware that if you go for a large monolithic piece, it is not "forgiving" if something happens to it.
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I have back painted glass in my kitchen and I could not be happier. How I ended up with the glass is a long story. back in '93 i had mirrored back splashes installed because the kitchen was so dark and I wanted to bounce around what ever light there was. loved them. in an effort to update my kitchen myself (painted cabinets, put in butcher block counter tops refinished myself etc) i was very perplexed as to how to update the backsplash. making an even longer story somewhat shorter I removed the mirrors (somehow they all came off in one piece) stripped them down (took a week) and painted them and reglued them. now i know no one is that insane but i seriously do not know why more people don't do this with clear glass. it is gorgeous! no one can believe how they look. and to clean them is a dream. As mentioned above cutting the holes for electric is exspensive. I think my guy said $35 per hole. And above the range would be an extra piece of glass but your hood would cover that seam or what if you put a seam on either side of cooktop and run the glass up higher there? any way good luck. if you decide to go this route you will love it. and as far as getting tired of the color its no different than picking tiles you can easily tire of. just saying.
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kathec
12 years ago
A friend of mine used painted glass. Here's a pic:

She bought it already painted from a company in Austin that's local to her. I have the name in my email archives. If you want to know more, I can ask her.

Kathe
mahatmacat1
Original Author
12 years ago
Thanks, kathe. I'll try to find a company local to me. I like your friend's bold color choice -- the one thing it also confirms for me is that I want a satin glass (front) so that it doesn't reflect the granite. I've never etched that much glass full-across the plate...done smaller etching with that paste from Michaels, but not completely. I'll talk with people locally about it. Much appreciated!
mulemom
12 years ago
Have you considered sandblasting the glass? It has a look that is similar to etching but is much quicker to do and you don't have to deal with the chemicals. Of course you need an decent air compressor and sand blaster..... (something I do have).
palimpsest
12 years ago
My countertop is soapstone.

You CAN'T PRIME!!!!

The glass is back painted, so the first layer is closest to the glass and what you end up seeing. If you prime first you will see primer and not paint! If I misunderstood what you meant I am sorry for the !!! but I just wanted to make that point.

Anyway, I just used the latex wall color.

My issue with sandblasted glass (I also have a sandblaster, although not one of the size needed to do this project, you'd need a booth and respirator) , is that the sandblasted surface picks up oils from your fingers and such that do not wipe off with windex, because they are in the micropitted surface of the glass.

If you want something matte, you may want something else...I am not sure what.

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