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Article #1: Painting your windows

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The first decision you need to make is if painting project. Some may be obvious,
the design should be permanent or and not everything may be included. This
temporary. All the window painting I've list is only to help you think about what
done to date was intended to be you might want to have available at a
temporary. In most cases, I've found that painting site.
the client wanted a seasonal design that Tip 1 - Floating Medium and Clear Medium
needed to be changed every three to four First, I want to mention the use of
months. floating medium (for acrylic paint) and
Permanent Designs Clear Medium (for the enamels). As you
If you or your client want a permanent may be aware, floating medium is a clear
design, then my first recommendation is pigment gel that is used with your Folk
to use the Folk Art Enamels paints. I've Art acrylic paint and helps the paint
had a lot of success painting with Folk flow more smoothly; making the paint
Art Enamels on glassware, so I would easier to work with on any surface,
expect similar results on windows. including windows. Be aware, however,
Another option is to use the regular Folk that it also changes the consistency of
Art acrylic paints with the glass and the paint depending on how much you use.
tile medium, following the directions on The more floating medium that is used;
the glass and tile medium bottle. the more transparent the paint becomes.
I like using the Enamels because they Again, the floating medium is only for
require one less step and I feel they use with the Folk Art acrylic paint. If
adhere to the glass better. However, you you are using the enamel paint, then you
should feel free to paint with whichever would use the enamel clear medium. It
combination you are most comfortable works the same as the floating medium,
using. Since I don't have any experience but is specially designed for use with
painting on windows with either the the Folk Art Enamel paint.
Enamels or the combination of paint and When I use the floating medium, I have my
glass and tile medium, I can't tell you paintbrush loaded with paint and then
how durable the final result will be. work the floating/clear medium into the
Temporary Designs paint. Add more floating/clear medium as
Painting a temporary design is, in some needed to help the paint flow smoothly on
ways, easier. You will only need the the glass. You will notice a big
regular Folk Art acrylic paint and, if difference in how the paint flows as
you like, floating medium. Do not use compared to using the paint without the
glass and tile medium or any kind of floating/clear medium.
sealer. Doing so will only make the Tip 2 - Getting Good Paint Coverage on
eventual removal of your design more Glass
difficult or even impossible. On your first layer (color), since you
When painting a seasonal, temporary are painting directly on the glass, you
design, you have to remember that it is can add paint to the surface to make it
exactly that, temporary. If you paint more opaque and get better coverage.
storefront doors, then expect to come After the first layer dries, then you can
back a few days later and see minor add another layer (color) on top of the
scratches in the design. If the design is first. However, you will not be able to
on your front storm door, then a complete work with the paint like you did with the
season of temperature changes will likely first layer. The first layer of paint
crack or wrinkle the paint. will begin to come off and get sloppy if
This wild rose design was painted from you work the second layer too much. In my
the outside using Folk Art acrylic paint. experience, it is best to load your brush
Preparing to Paint the Window Surface with a lot of paint and stroke over the
To ensure that the paint makes good first layer only one time.
contact with the window surface, the Tip 3 - Removing a Painted Design
glass should be clean. I usually use warm If you want to remove a painted design
water and a wash cloth for the bulk of from a window, there are two methods that
the cleaning. Any remaining stubborn I use; both are a bit messy. The first
paint spots can usually be easily removed involves using a razor blade to scrape
by scraping with a razor blade. the paint from the surface of the window.
Before you begin painting, you will want This produces a lot of paint chips and
to determine the placement of the flakes. The other method is to use
different elements of your window design. lukewarm water with soap (the soap is
It might be useful to have a sketch on a optional) with some rags or paper towels
sheet of notebook paper or reference to clean the window. This is also messy
photographs available for this purpose. because the paint smears everywhere. Once
Painting Your One Stroke Design on the the paint is removed, I use glass cleaner
Window to remove any remaining paint residue.
You will also need to decide if you're You can also use a combination of these
going to paint the design on the inside two methods by scraping some of the paint
or outside of the window. off, then washing off the remainder.
If you choose to paint on the inside, Tip 4 - How Much Should I Charge to Paint
then you will need to use the reverse a Window?
painting technique. In one stroke Unfortuately, there's no easy answer to
painting, this means that whatever you this often asked question. The best
would normally paint last on a design, advice I can give is to first consider
should be painted first, then work the following questions:
backwards. This allows the design to look What is the income level of the area
normal when viewed from the outside. where you live compared to other parts of
Reverse One Stroke painting is more your state or country? (Almost everything
difficult than regular One Stroke costs more in New York City than in a
painting, so it will probably require small midwestern town.)
some practice and additional advance Is the design permanent or temporary?
planning. Look for One Stroke reverse How many colors will you use?
painting teaching guides or classes in How big (or small) is the design?
your area if you need help learning to Does the design have a lot of detail, or
reverse paint. is it simple?
If you choose to paint on the outside, Is the design a mural or picture, or is
then you will be painting normally. For it a border?
most painters, this will be faster, since Will you have to stand on a tall ladder
it is the same technique you use to paint all day, or is the design to be painted
on walls, canvas or even the regular near ground or floor level?
teaching guides. Once you quote a price to a customer, you
In my experience, if the outside is can always negotiate or lower the price
relatively well protected from the by simplifying the design -- fewer
elements, then both inside painting and colors, smaller design, less details,
outside painting will experience the same etc. Always remember, you should charge
amount of wear during a three or four what you think your painting is worth,
month display. and there will always be someone who
Window Painting Supplies thinks your quoted price is too much, no
The following is a list of the items I matter how high or low.
carry with me when working on a window






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