Is it possible to remove glass etching?
I am wondering if it would be possible to do glass etching on my glass center pieces for my wedding, and then remove it afterward. I would just be using the simplest method I can find in a craft store to do the etchings. Thank you!
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Very unlikely, but I think you’ll find that flat glass isn’t really all that expensive anyway.
Those kits usually use an abrasive (sandblasting, essentially) or a very corrosive solution for acid etching, which is generally like a silk-screen process. Either way, the marking will be permanent.
EDIT – I recommend going to a sign shop or print shop, where you could have vinyl lettering made. That would come off afterwards.
You *might* be able to re-polish the glass, maybe lapping compound and a buffing wheel.
from what i read so far on glass etching and speaking to my sister who does glass etching there no way to remove once it done i would do a jar or a junk glass then after words see if the way you did the glass etching can be removed sense there so many ways of doing it i would also speak to the craft store to also see if it can be removed .
If you buff an etching that is on glass, you will most likely not wind up with a clear glass section where the etching was.
The suggestion to have I believe a sticker made to place where you want it to be on the glass is the best idea.
To buff is not a good idea because most glass pieces are thin and the possibility of the glass breaking is also there. It is not worth taking chances like that.
I would buff the edge (lip) of a drinking glass if it is chipped and I don’t want to lose the glass. That works. But to buff the side of a piece, I would never even try that.
Stickers yes. Buffing no.
True etching (either by acid or abrasive/sandblasting) removes glass. So the only way to “remove” etching is either put the glass back (not really possible) or remove glass from around the etching to re-smooth the surface (possible but takes a lot of work and the right materials).
Instead, you can buy “faux” etching paint at many of the craft stores. It looks (more or less) like glass etching/frosting — but can be removed afterwards. Make sure it isn’t a bake-on paint — that won’t likely come off easily if at all.
- Paul
Helios Kiln Glass Studio
Austin, Texas
http://www.heliosglass.com