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Window glass adorned with acrylic paint
Many projects nowadays are relying on decorative acrylic instead of decorative glass for several good reasons. However, it’s essential to know both materials’ properties, ensuring that you understand how they differ and when best to use them. Here are some differences between acrylic and glass and which material is best for use.
Differences Between Acrylic And Glass
Some significant differences between these two materials are discussed below:
Weight
Acrylic is far lighter than glass, weighing less than half of the glass’ weight.
Impact resistance
Acrylic is more robust than glass and about ten to twenty times more resistant to strokes. Therefore, acrylic is the clear winner of the durability debate with glass, which easily cracks and breaks. Acrylic also shatters in large pieces with blunt edges, compared to glass that shatters in typically smaller pieces.
Gloss
Acrylic offers softer light reflection compared to glass.
Scratch resistance
Glass is relatively scratch-resistant than acrylic. You can permanently damage acrylic if you mistakenly clean it with paper towels. However, acrylic sheets can be treated with a scratch-resistant coating to provide an extra layer of protection.
UVB resistance
With time, acrylic becomes yellow when exposed to bright sunlight for long periods. Nevertheless, you can use a coating or film to make your acrylic UVB-protected. On the other hand, glass is naturally UV resistant, making it an excellent choice to protect furniture and framed artwork.
Ease of cleaning
Cleaning acrylic with any other thing than soap and warm water can crack it, necessitating its replacement. Conversely, glass is easier to clean with various materials and cleaning agents.
Germ accommodation
Glass is antimicrobial, whereas acrylic is porous. As such, several healthcare providers prefer glass because they can easily sterilise it.
Will acrylic paint stick to glass?
Yes, acrylic paint can be used on glass . It’s a versatile, water-based medium known for its flexibility and vibrancy. However, it’s essential to note that while acrylic will stick to glass, it may not be as durable or resistant to wear and tear compared to other paints specifically designed for glass. To enhance its adhesion and durability, you can prepare the glass surface by cleaning it thoroughly and perhaps lightly sanding it. After painting, seal the work with a clear varnish or top coat. Remember, for decorative pieces not exposed to heavy use or washing, acrylic paint can be an excellent choice.
Which is best?
Choosing between glass and acrylic will ultimately depend on the project in question since both have their pros and cons that make them perfect or not for particular tasks.
Using acrylic
- Due to its low weight, acrylic is best suited to applications where less importance is crucial, like aquariums, roof lights, and boat windows to reduce your breakage risk. Also, when you must process the material, an acrylic sheet is your ideal choice.
- Acrylic is also a great option if you’re replacing your glass panels often due to updates and remodels.
- Since acrylic is cheaper than glass, it’s also your best bet if your project demands cost savings.
Using glass
- Glass is your obvious choice for your home windows and other applications that will come into contact with bright sunlight.
- Glass is also perfect for high-traffic areas where durability is a prime concern. Additionally, it’s an excellent material choice when a clean environment is a big priority because it’s easier to sterilise.
- Since glass is easy to maintain, it’s a good pick if you don’t want to worry about maintenance.
- Finally, if safety is a top priority, choose glass over acrylic because glass is heat-absorbent and can withstand high temperatures, making it perfect for use behind stove tops and other areas of extreme heat.
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Supplies for faux mercury glass ornaments
To make a set of the DIY mercury glass ornaments you will need to get Krylon Looking Glass Paint (it has to be looking glass paint, a silver metallic paint will not have the same effect), clear plastic ornaments ( I got mine from Hobby Lobby for $9.99 ), a spray bottle filled with a 50/50 mix of water and vinegar, and gold metallic paint.
supplies
- KRYLON Loooking Glass Paint
- Clear Plastic Ornaments
- Metallic Gold Acrylic Paint
- Vinegar
- Water
- Hairdryer
Steps to make the mercury glass ornaments
step 1
This project should be done in a well-ventilated area. I’m in my workshop with an open window next to me. The fumes aren’t bad because you are spraying right into the ornament and not into the air.
Take the cap off of the ornaments and put them aside somewhere safe.
I did 5 short bursts of the looking glass paint right into the opening of the ornament.
Then I rolled the ornament to spread the paint throughout the entire thing for about 20 seconds.
Take a hairdryer and while you are rolling the ornament aim the warm air over the surface of the ornament…you will see the paint transform as it starts to dry.
Only do this for about 20-30 seconds (you don’t want the paint completely dry).
step 2
Then take your spray bottle with the 50/50 vinegar and water solution and do a couple of quick squirts inside the ornament…cover the end with a paper towel and shake the heck out of it!!
I tapped out the excess vinegar before hitting the opening with the hairdryer. (it doesn’t have to be on super hot either) until it looked dry.
For some of the ornaments, I needed to repeat the paint & vinegar step again because the coverage didn’t look great.
step 3
I added a squirt of antique gold acrylic paint into the ornament.
Then covered the end and shook the ornament until the paint was dispersed.
I turned on the hairdryer and rolled the ornament while hitting it with the warm air on both the outside and inside,
Put them aside to dry completely. The paint will develop more as it dries.
While I waited for the paint to dry I spray painted the ornament tops with dark metallic spray paint.
review of the steps
- 5 QUICK SQUIRTS OF LOOKING GLASS PAINT, ROLL ORNAMENT TO SPREAD PAINT
- AIM HAIRDRYER OVER ORNAMENT FOR 20-30 SECONDS AS YOU ROLL THE ORNAMENT
- A COUPLE SQUIRTS OF THE 50/50 VINEGAR & WATER MIXTURE
- COVER END AND SHAKE ORNAMENT TO DISPERSE, TAP OUT EXCESS
- HIT IT WITH THE HAIRDRYER FOR 30 SECONDS
- REPEAT IF NECCSESARY
- ADD A SQUIRT OF ANTIQUE GOLD ACRYLIC PAINT INSIDE ORNAMENT. COVER END AND SHAKE
- HIT IT WITH THE HAIRDRYER TO DRY PAINT FOR ABOUT 30 SECONDS.
- LET DRY COMPLETELY
After you make a couple and get the hang of it it only takes 2 minutes to make them and you can get a bunch done quickly!
variation to try
I made a few ornaments using black acrylic paint instead of the gold and they came out so cool looking too! They looked antique.
Finished DIY Mercury Glass Ornaments
Here’s one of the ornaments that I made using the black acrylic paint.
Here’s a few of the ornaments using the antique gold paint. Aren’t they pretty.
To make this quick Christmas display I used a vintage round silver tray and popped on a small grapevine wreath. I surrounded the tray with a few faux greenery picks before adding the faux mercury glass ornaments into the center.
I have it on the top of a bookcase with the DIY Jingle Bell Wreath that I made the other day hanging on the wall.
10 days of Christmas decorating
- Day 1 – Christmas DIY Ideas
- Day 2 – Front Porch Decorating Ideas
- Day 3 – Christmas Tree Ideas
- Day 4 – Christmas Table Decor Ideas
- Day 5 – Christmas Cookies and Sweet Treats
- Day 6 – Christmas Decorating Ideas
- Day 7 – Christmas Hacks You Should Know
- Day 8 – Christmas Gift Wrapping Guide
- Day 9 – Wreaths & Front Door Decor
- Day 10 – Winter Greenery
