My better half liked the look of a glass splash back which is painted on the back (I admit I did as well till we saw the price – R3500 :- $350). Because I couldn’t help it, I decided to see if I could do it myself – I mean how hard could it be?
Actually it all turned out surprisingly easy and I must say at less than a third of the price, well worth the effort.
I approached the supplier who did my frame-less glass shower and got him to supply me with a sheet of 6mm toughened glass. I then gave one side a light sanding with 1200 grit water paper (just to give a slight key to the paint). Then with thinners I cleaned and then cleaned again the side to be sprayed.
Then it was simply 2 coats Acrylac spray paint and some double-sided tape – here is the result (painted side goes at the back):
Glass Splash Back (bamboo sides)
Glass Splash Back - (Top doors still to come)
Tis sound quite cost effective and looks great. My question is, what do you do when you need to install wall plugs where you want the glass splashback?
Thanks
Jonathan
Dear Jonathan – I understand glass cut outs are possible but difficult and probably expensive. Fortunately my splashback is only behind the gas hob where plugs are of little use. This is a once off for me so I am afraid you will probably need to speak to the ‘professionals’.
Tim
Hi,
I’m trying to do this myself as well. Did you have any issues with the paint scratching off when you were installing? Did you put anything behind the glass to keep it from scratching?
Thanks!
jackie
I was careful but found the paint was actually quite tough – on the test samples it took a fair amount of effort to actually scratch the paint – to make sure it didn’t get damaged by the wall I used double sided tape all over which keeps it nicely separated – like you would hang a mirror.
Hi, I haven’t tried acrylac, I used normal oil based black enamel paint without sanding, although I did clean the painted area with thinners to remove any oily residue left behind from the cutting process. Must say it looks stunning and I did not have any problems with paint coming off.
Hi, We are also going to attempt doing our whole kitchen with glass splash backs. The glass suppliers here in Vereeniging will do the cut outs for the plugs free of charge, I’m sure any decent glass supplier will be able to help you with the plug cut out. thanks for the great info about what paint can be used it will save a great deal of R’s
Hi Guys.
As one of the ‘professionals’, I would say it is seriously not rocket science to stick a piece of glass to a wall.
It is, however, some other kind of science to make paint stick properly to glass. We took more than a year of testing various chemical additives before we had acceptable, permanent results.
Unfortunately, we are bound to offer guarantees, and have to be completely confident in our product, no matter what environment it is going into.
You will probably be fine – sanding is a good thing, cleanliness is even better.
Please just make sure you use toughened glass. It is not worth the risk using Float glass.
Hi Guys
It is possible to cut glass in any shape you want with holes for plugs, taps etc. The largest size in toughened glass is 3.2 x 2.25m with thickness varying from 6mm to 19mm. There are two major manufacturer’s paint that can be used and the company that supplies the paint provides a 10 year warranty agains fading. Just remember when using silicon, use acid free. Otherwise it will etch the glass over a period of time.
Regards
Antonius
Hi there,
I have been thinking of doing a glass splashback in my kitchen but wanted to paint the wall and use clear glass on the wall, any thoughts on how that would work?
Hi – not sure of the look you wanting, but I think it will just look like a piece of glass stuck to the wall. What I mean is the paint applied to the back of the glass gives an amazing effect mainly because the glass is such a smooth surface – so its amazingly even colour-wise. I think to get the same effect on a wall would be nigh impossible. Other problems will be mounting the glass, as anything applied to the back will show through – not to mention dust or insects getting behind the glass!
I would suggest you get a couple of small pieces of normal glass and do some experimenting – I wouldn’t be surprised if with the right preparation you will see the effect with normal enamel paint – or even spray paint in a can? Maybe this will help you decision process – good luck.
WONDERFUL Post.thank you share..more wait ..
Must the glasss be a toughened glass as it wont “carry” any weight?? Cant I use a normal 6mm
Hi Melinda
If your glass is anywhere near the stove like ours, it gets surprisingly hot in very localised areas, my understanding is that if it isn’t toughened glass it would simply crack from the stress. I guess if it is just the back to a counter and it is protected from knocks you might be able to use normal glass, just be warned if it does break it will be dangerous as it would break into shards unlike laminated or toughened glass which doesn’t.
Good luck – Tim
Great idea, I´m planning on doing one of my bathroom walls with the glass. How do you install it, without damaging the color?
Hi – the paint once 2 layers were sprayed on, is actually quite thick + no light is actually coming from the back so I just used double sided tape and mirror mounting silicone and you cant see it at all. Good luck.
can’t I was get a stick on glass sticker for the colour effect or differentprint effects?
Hi – suppose you can try – just remember most of the effect is that the colour is at the back of the glass – rather than just on the surface. If you use a sticker then you will be looking at the “glue side” which probably wont look as nice.
Tim
Hi – I’m quite interested to know how your DIY job has been holding up? As the paint faded or peeled at all? I’m quite keen on installing a glass splashback in my kitchen but the prices are so steep.
Hi there Naz – honestly its as good as the day I put it in – no problems what so ever !
Just wish the rest of my DIY stuff held up this well
Happy to hear that Tim! I’ve passed your blog onto my builder and he’s quite excited to try out this project, your blog has probably saved me thousands!
Anyone now of a reliable and cost effective installer of glass splash backs for a Kitchen. We are in Johannesburg
Hi, me again. Yes the actual product is very expensive. Remember, it is not PVA, it is an automotive paint. The reason why it is so expensive is that the activator that ensures that the paints sticks to the glass costs about R10,000/250 ml. That activator comes from the tyre manufacturing industry. So it is a completetly different ball game. Some good advice doing a DIY job. You can use Rust-Oleum products to spray on glass, they are the best can-spray-paint products available. Make sure that the wall that you are going to apply the glass is treated with bonding liquid. That will prevent any moisture coming through and damaging your paint, which will start pealing if kept in damp conditions. Also do not apply too much silicone. If your paints starts to affect the paint, you will be able to remove easily. My suggestion for DIY job is just add silicone to the edges. If you want to remove the glass, it is easy to do. If there is a plug, so much the better since the plug will keep the glass to the wall. Good luck with your DIY jobs. Antonius
Hi Guys ,
found a Dulux product called Supergrip Primer (R168 for !lt frm Builder warehouse , Tint – R20) can be used on glazed surfaces , melamine and glass as a primer , comes standard in white but i have added a very pastel shade of lemon tint to the white and gonna apply it directly to the glass. should hold as its purpose made for glass and tiles.No need to sand and according to instructions only requires 1 coat. Gonna give it a try this weekend and will let you guys know how it turns out
Sounds good – let us know how it goes
Are you going to brush it on? I’d like to paint a pattern on some glass for a splashback so will be interested to hear from you as to how your painting goes. Marianne
Can you paint on the glass with a brush, or do you have to use spray paint? I’m interested in painting a design on some glass for use in a shower.
I am sure you can – worst case just scrape it off and try again.
Hello Tim,
I have a lot of plugs where my backsplash will go and I can not cover them, (against the code or something), so I need to have couple of cuts for those so I can not use tempered glass , I need to use regular float glass which may not stand to heat. Any suggestions?
Thanks
Nurcan
Hi – I am told cut outs can be done before it is tempered – if the glass wont be heated you will be fine – but behind a stove top you may pick up problems with un-tempered.
Hi, how did you guys go on with the glass edges? Did you mask them off or paint them?
Hi – I just ignored them – since I was spraying very little went on them and mine were hidden anyway as it is bounded all 4 sides.