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Q: What are the main differences between Water Base & Lacquer Base Stains?
A: There are 3 primary differences when comparing Water Base vs. Lacquer Base:
1) Water Base dries in about 2-3 hours vs. Lacquer Base dries in about 30 min.
2) Water Base is non-toxic and doesn't require any ventilation or extra precautions vs. Lacquer Stains should be worked with in a well ventilated area and should be kept away from children.
3) Some color variations are only available in certain color lines.
Q: Is the Water Base Stain as durable as the Lacquer Base stains?
A: Yes, our Water Base Stains are very high quality and as durable as the Lacquer Stains.
Q: Can I mix Water Base Stains with Lacquer Stains?
A: No, Water Base Stains should never be mixed together with the Lacquer Base Stains, however, they can be used on the same design if separated by a lead line.
Q: What Products can be used on a vertical surface?
A: For a simple, elegant look, Glass Texture & Frosted Texture are perfect. Both products are thick and can be applied with a flat brush or a paint roller. Frosted Texture is great where privacy is needed; bathroom windows, glass panels in a front door, or glass kitchen cabinets.
Crystal Stains are great if you need a splash of color. There are 12 lacquer base colors to choose from, or mix your own custom colors. Because these stains form a "crystallized" design as they dry, brush strokes will not show. You can even use a paint roller for large areas.
Lacquer Base Frost, Stk#R71, which produces a sand blasted look can be applied with a brush.
Q: What is the difference between Frost Stain & Frosted Texture?
A: Frost stain is a lacquer base stain. When a thin coat is applied to glass, it gives the appearance of etched or sandblasted glass when dry.
Frosted Texture is a water base medium. It is very thick and can be daubed or patted on the glass using a flat brush. It will give a frosted/textured look to the glass allowing light to show through, while creating privacy. Frosted Texture can be used alone, or over the top of any dry Glass Stains. Both products can be applied to vertical surfaces.
Q: Eyedroppers vs. Brushes. Which is best for applying the stain?
A: It really depends on your project, but we recommend using an eyedropper for most applications. "Flowing" the stain in all those hard to reach corners is easier with an eyedropper. It is also easier to blend or bleed colors together on the glass.
Brushes are great when using Crystal Stains. A thinner coat (which is easier to obtain with a brush) gives a bigger, bolder look to the Crystal Stain as it dries. Any brush strokes are hidden by the Crystal Stain. When coloring figurines, lamp shades, candle holders, or any other 3 dimensional objects a brush is the best way to apply the stain to prevent runs and drips.
Q: What is Liquid Lead used for?
A: Liquid Lead (contains no lead) has 2 important functions. First, it is used to outline or trace your design onto your glass, or Plexiglas, etc. Second, it acts as a barrier and keeps the glass stain colors from running together. The black color simulates the look of real lead came that has aged.
Q: Do these products require firing or baking?
A: No. All of our products air-dry and should not be baked or fired.
Q: Can I use these products on a shower door?
A: Yes. Make sure you apply our products to the outside surface so the products will not have daily exposure to the water.
It is best to remove the shower door so that you apply the products to a horizontal, level surface. If this is not possible, you may apply our Crystal Stains or our Texturing Mediums to a vertical surface. To care for your hand-painted shower door, wipe with a damp cloth only—do not use chemicals or other bathroom cleaners.
Q: If I add black or white opaque stain to other colors will they become opaque?
A: No. It only takes a small amount of black or white glass stain to make a difference when mixing colors. Adding a small amount of an opaque color will not make the transparent stain opaque.
Q: Can the glass stain paints be applied to a light bulb?
A: Yes. Many types of light bulbs can be coated with our glass stain paints. We recommend our lacquer base stain. To test for durability, if the light bulb can be held in your hand while lit, it will not be too hot for the stains.
Q: Can these products be used on glass dishes or glasses for daily household use?
A: Yes. When decorating glassware, plates, etc. apply our products to the surface that does not come in contact with food. When dry apply Sprayway Glass Paint Sealer (#R165) so that hand painted items may be hand washed.
Q: What is clear extender used for?
A: Clear extender is used to lighten colors. It is best used when applying glass stains to mirrors or other items that are not exposed to UV rays. For lightening glass stain colors that will be exposed to UV rays, it is best to use either Creamy White, White Opaque, or Pearl White. By using any of the 3 white colors we offer instead of the clear will give your finished product better UV stability. Also, when lightening colors or making pastels we recommend apply our Glass Paint Sealer to the finished products for added UV stability.
Q: What do I use for Clean-up?
A: Use water for use with any of our water based products, i.e. Water Base Glass Paint, Texturing Mediums, or Liquid Lead. Use #RTCQ Thinner/Cleaner for cleaning brushes, eye droppers, or air brushes when using any lacquer based products like the Lacquer Base Glass Paint or Lacquer Base Crystal Paints. For Cleaning your hands & work surfaces use our Industrial Strength Cleaner Wipes #R963 for easy clean-up. The Cleaner Wipes won't dry out your hands as much as Acetone will when cleaning up Lacquer Paints.
Q: How do I make a "flesh tone"?
A: To make a "Flesh Tone" add pink #R74 to creamy white #R67. You may also add a small amount of orange #R73 depending on the flesh tone you want to achieve.
A: If you’re finding your hands are getting tired after leading for awhile you can put the bottle of lead in a sink full of hot water. Make sure the bottle is completely sealed as you don’t want any water added to the product. Let it sit in the hot water for awhile and that will soften the lead for easier application.
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