How to Make Stained Glass Less Transparent
- 1
Choose a pattern to create a specific design or look.ornamental pattern image by Igor Zhorov from Fotolia.com
Choose a pattern for your piece of stained glass. Make two copies of the pattern. Cut out the pieces of one of the patterns. Save the second for a guide and extra pieces in the event you lose a cut out portion. - 2). Trace your pattern onto your opalescent glass sheet using a grease pen. Using opalescent glass will make a less transparent stained glass piece. Number the sections.
- 3
Scoring the glass allows for pattern pieces to be separated.cut glass image by Vanessa van Rensburg from Fotolia.com
Score the glass along the traced lines. Break them apart gently with gloved hands or a pair of glass pliers. - 4
Grind glass for smooth edges. Wear eye protection.A man grinding metal image by Coralie Palmeri from Fotolia.com
Compare the cut out portions to the solid pattern piece. Mark any rough edges or pieces that are too large. Grind the edges for smoothness with a glass grinder. - 5
Cover edges equally with copper foil.copper pool foil image by Karin Lau from Fotolia.com
Clean each piece of glass and wrap the edges with copper foil. The copper foil should overlap evenly on all pieces of glass. Smooth the foil until it is completely flat with no ridges, humps or bumps. - 6). Pin glass pieces back into place and apply flux to the foil using a small brush.
- 7
Solder pieces together using soldering tool and copper foil.soldering woodburning kit image by Steve Johnson from Fotolia.com
Solder the pieces together by placing the tip of your soldering iron on the seam and slowly feed more solder over the foil, filling in gaps. Also solder the outside edges. - 8
Finished stained glass.stained glass window image by Sean Gladwell from Fotolia.com
Turn your stained glass piece over and solder the back as well. - 9
Frame your finished project if you so desire.picture frame 7 image by chrisharvey from Fotolia.com
Have your stained glass piece fitted for a frame with a sturdy cable connected to use for hanging.
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