Michael Thuman Posted January 25, 2018 Report Share Posted January 25, 2018 The doors are finished but the manufactured put plastic over the smooth side not the frosted side. There are some very minor blobs of stain, shellac and ploy. Also my spouse who was scraping them down has removed the frosting on a few panes. I would like to use a solvent or stripper that will not hurt the glass but will remove the finish. Can you please list the proper solvent or stripper to destroy shellac, stain and water based poly. Also I hear you can resand the glass to get the frosting back. Any idea what grit and how do you get a uniform roughened finish. I will try to upload pictures tonight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lew Posted January 25, 2018 Report Share Posted January 25, 2018 Sounds like the "frosting" was add on rather than etching. Sanding glass might require a type of diamond grit or maybe a chemical etching. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gene Howe Posted January 25, 2018 Report Share Posted January 25, 2018 None of the finish will soak in like it does with wood. The drops of shellac can be removed with alcohol. For the stain and poly, apply lacquer thinner with a small paint brush and rub gently with an abrasive sponge. Reapply the thinner and wipe with a cloth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kmealy Posted January 25, 2018 Report Share Posted January 25, 2018 (edited) Depending upon how mfr did the "frosting" some solvents, like lacquer thinner, might remove or damage it. Lacquer thinner is a soup of a number of different ketones, alcohols, and distillates. The mix can vary based on brand, speed of evaporation, and economics at the time of mixing. Alcohol will remove the shellac and is least aggressive. Most to least aggressive: Acetone, lacquer thinner, or xylene (found in Goof-Off) might remove the other finishes, but are more aggressive and risk damage to the frosting. None will hurt the "glass." If you need to remove it all aggressively, a single-edge razor blade works well. I am not sure "sanding" is the way to restore glass frosting. 35 years ago or more, I used a spray on frosting for glass. No idea what it was but we had a clear window on our shower that needed a bit of privacy. It lasted the 15 years that we lived there. When I took a class in picture framing, the instructor used some sort of paste and a stencil to make an etching. You might check with a glass shop to see if they have something to re-frost grass. https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-frost-glass/ Edited January 25, 2018 by kmealy Dadio 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HandyDan Posted January 25, 2018 Report Share Posted January 25, 2018 (edited) 2 hours ago, Michael Thuman said: Also I hear you can resand the glass to get the frosting back Glass is not sanded to obtain the frosting it is "Sand Blasted" to etch the frosting into the glass. YouTube has a lot of video on the subject with various ways of doing it. https://www.bing.com/search?q=frost+glass+youtube&form=EDGHPT&qs=PF&cvid=fe589088b8ed4438a16e62e8899341ef&refig=7efd2a1438ba46cca08200f1feb8d96b&cc=US&setlang=en-US&PC=DCTS Edited January 25, 2018 by HandyDan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Thuman Posted January 25, 2018 Author Report Share Posted January 25, 2018 Actually I belive it is sprayed on becuase we were able to scrape it off and Lowes has such a product. But until I spray on some new stuff we will now know for sure. May make is worse or better. Will find out tonight. Or maybe with elbow grease I may make them both clear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kmealy Posted January 26, 2018 Report Share Posted January 26, 2018 Let me invoke Finishing rule #3 When you are using a new product or technique always do trials / samples Get a piece of scrap glass before you start on your door. Dadio 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeteM Posted January 26, 2018 Report Share Posted January 26, 2018 Poly will come off with the orange "citrus" stripper (water based) from Home Stores. I had a French door that was clear glass. Got frosted adhesive shelf liner, carefully cut to size, applied, glass looked frosted. Had another benefit: you couldn't break that glass because plastic coating held it like safety glass. Dadio 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Thuman Posted January 26, 2018 Author Report Share Posted January 26, 2018 18 hours ago, kmealy said: Let me invoke Finishing rule #3 When you are using a new product or technique always do trials / samples Get a piece of scrap glass before you start on your door. For sure and was planning on doing this but thanks for the reminder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Thuman Posted January 26, 2018 Author Report Share Posted January 26, 2018 3 hours ago, PeteM said: Poly will come off with the orange "citrus" stripper (water based) from Home Stores. I had a French door that was clear glass. Got frosted adhesive shelf liner, carefully cut to size, applied, glass looked frosted. Had another benefit: you couldn't break that glass because plastic coating held it like safety glass. So far the only thing the will kill dyes is lac thinner. We will do a spot check to see if it breaks down the frosting. I like the idea of the shelf liner it would be more consistent and as this is the laundry room door it can can see impacts from the washer and dryer doors. Maybe the best idea is to remove it all and use the shelf liner. But I would remove the glass first then line it and reinstall it. That way the edges are not visible. Please keep the ideas coming. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HandyDan Posted January 26, 2018 Report Share Posted January 26, 2018 8 minutes ago, Michael Thuman said: But I would remove the glass first then line it and reinstall it. Great idea. Putting it on will be easier too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeteM Posted January 26, 2018 Report Share Posted January 26, 2018 "contact paper": that was the name of the "shelf" liner. If you cut it carefully (and don't tug it out of normal shape), you won't see the edge against the frame unless you get really close. I was applying the frosting to an existing door, so I didn't want to pull out the individual glass pieces. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Thuman Posted January 29, 2018 Author Report Share Posted January 29, 2018 We decided to spray more frosting on the glass. Taped everything else off and except where I paused a little long it did a great cover up job. Then the second coat erased the first coats mistakes. Thanks for all your help. Cal 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dadio Posted January 29, 2018 Report Share Posted January 29, 2018 Picture? Herb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cal Posted February 19, 2018 Report Share Posted February 19, 2018 Sounds like a good save Michael Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Thuman Posted February 19, 2018 Author Report Share Posted February 19, 2018 Pictures as requested. More direct light shows inconsistent frosting. Cal 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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