How to frost windows

Any of the following, all on the inside of the window

1) Use 3M magic tape

2) Use Rustoleum Frosted Glass spray paint (Get it at Lowe's or Craft Stores)

3) Rub surface with scotch brite

I spray Dullcote on the inside of the window. JohnA

I use all of the above plus frosted acetate sheets cut to size.

Ron

"I spray Dullcote on the inside of the window."

I second that suggestion!  I used clear plastic from a clamshell package and sprayed both sides.  I then used hot glue to hold it in place.  Exactly the effect I was hoping to achieve.

John

I use frosted acetate or styrene sheets from an art supply store or online. Easy-Peasy!

I use dullcote also.  But by accident I found that you can frost windows by placing a drop of liquid styrene adhesive on it and let it evaporate.  Windows fog up.

Hey, thanks everyone for participating and spreading the knowledge, I’ll definitely use a couple of these tips.

I have used a very easy technique of cutting up a plastic milk jug and gluing it to the inside of the building.  Easy peasy.  

Good tips on the art store stuff...I just read the last OGR where Bill B. talked about opaque acetate, and wondered where to buy. Am assuming its the same as frosted acetate as described above.

FWIW: I've used the frosted spray stuff from Lowes on clear acetate, but buying the sheets already made sounds much easier.

Dullcote works, but the frosted glass spray paint works better and faster (less coats).

You could use acetone. Just get finger nail polish removal with acetone in it. When you wipe it on clear plastic it will permanently etch it a milky color.

Don't ask me how I know this. I thought I was using ahlcohol when cleaning some clear plastic and it was acetone. 😄

Brad

I have gently use very fine steel wool successfully.

Charlie

I use a more basic method, wet-sanding one side of the glzaing material with very fine enery paper, or 0000 steel wool. I do this on a .015" thick or or so sheet of clear styrene about the size of a post card in a circular motion so no streaking shows. That way I have material on hand for future frosted glazing needed in passenger cars and structures.

S. Islander

(Just a joke) I use HF acid.

Way back in grad school, I broke a piece of glass/silicon fiber optic in a piece of Lexan/(polycarbonate), and the glass blower said you can etch glass with hydrogen-fluoride acid, but it was going to take months for it to do its work. That acid can also go thru your skin and into your bones and dissolve them. It is used to etch glass in a factory.

Do not do this.

Marshelangelo, thank you for your service, and let us know what worked for you!

Wax paper. One roll will do several million windows.

I use the "not clear" scotch tape with great success, it already has the "frosted" appearance to it, not opaque, easy to apply.  If you're worried about it drying out and coming off in 5 to 10 years, I suppose you could put a dab of canope glue under it, let it tack up and tape away.  I've never had it come off.

Dullcote. I too as Laz does, often used Milk cartons.

Clear Con-Tact adhesive shelf paper.  Great to cover dust covers on books too.

Dale

Krylon Clear Matte Spray works as well.

@chris a posted:

I use the "not clear" scotch tape with great success, it already has the "frosted" appearance to it, not opaque, easy to apply.

My trick as well.  Plus it can be reversible.