Glitter is, by far, one of the most difficult craft materials to work with. However, take note that it is also one of the most beautiful at the same time. The biggest problem with glitter is that it tends to fall off, even after you glued it to the surface. This is why you need to know how to seal glitter on glass properly.
Glitter gets even more difficult to work with if you are dealing with a glass surface. However, this will not be the case if you know how to seal glitter on glass and this is what you will be learning shortly.
Using a Mod Podge
Mod Podge is one of the best, if not the best, ways to seal glitter on glass surfaces. This is widely available and if you have been crafting for a while, you should at least have a jar of this in your workshop. This is also one of the best solutions for sealing glitter on glass without losing sparkle.
Materials Needed:
- Mod Podge – You need enough to cover the entire surface that you are sealing.
- A foam brush – This will make laying down the mod podge easier while ensuring even coating.
Step 1 – Shake off the loose glitter from the surface
To make sure that the Mod Podge adheres completely to the surface, shake the glittered object. This is necessary for removing any loose glitters from the surface.
Step 2 – Brush Mod Podge all over the glittered surface
Pour a bit of Mod Podge over the glittered surface. After that, use the foam brush to spread it evenly.
Step 3 – Apply additional coats if needed
Do not put too much Mod Podge straight away. If you want a thicker coat, wait for the first coat to dry and then apply another layer. The more layers you apply, the deeper the shine of the Mod Podge.
Step 4 – Wet sand for a smoother finish
If you want to give your project a deeper shine, you can sand the dried Mod Podge surface using very fine grit sandpaper and water. Be very gentle when sanding as you might dig into the sealant too much. Also, you should only do this when you used several layers of Mod Podge. Note that just one or two layers might be too thin.
Using Clear Nail Polish
If you are working with a small item, like a figurine or a pen, you can make do with some clear nail polish.
Materials Needed:
- Nail polish
- Wooden dowel
- Glu Tac
Step 1 – Remove excess glitter
Shake the glittered item or use a soft brush to dislodge and remove any loose glitter from the surface.
Step 2 – Prepare the item for painting
If you are working on a small item, it is best to mount it on a stick or a dowel to make it easier to hold. Just place a bit of Glu Tac on one end of the wooden dowel so that you can stick the item on it.
Step 3 – Gently apply the nail polish
You can use the brush that came with the clear nail polish or a proper brush for a more even application. If you want to add more layers, wait for the first layer to dry before adding another.
Using Acrylic Sealant
You can find a lot of acrylic sealants usually in a spray can form, which makes them ideal for sealing large glittered surfaces. If you want an even coating, then this solution is also perfect.
Materials Needed:
- Spray acrylic sealant
- Masking tape
Step 1 – Prepare the project to be sealed
Shake off any excess glitter that might not be glued on the surface. Also, to make sure that you will not get sealant in places where you do not want it, you should put masking tape on them.
Step 2 – Spray the sealant over the glitter
To prevent streaking, hold the spray can at least 6 inches away from the surface that you will be painting. Press the nozzle while it is still pointed away. Do sweeping strokes and take your finger off the nozzle while being pointed away from the surface.
Step 3 – Wait for the first layer to dry before adding more layers
You can wait until the first layer is completely dry. However, if you are in a hurry, you can add the next layer while the first is still a bit tacky.
Step 4 – Remove the masking tape while the sealant is still wet
To give the sealed surface a sharp edge, remove the masking tape while the sealant is still drying. This will prevent the edges from peeling off when you remove the masking tape.
Helpful Tips and Advice
Use hairspray: If you want to keep the glitter from falling off garments, you can use regular hairspray to keep them in place. However, do keep in mind that this is just a temporary fix.
Apply the glitter inside the glass: This is a good tip if f you are making a decorative vase or bottle (not for containing drinks). This means you no longer need to use any sealant to prevent the glitter from dropping off.
Conclusion
Glitter might look great and adds a lot of personality to any project but it can be quite tricky to use. One of the biggest problems with using glitter is that there will always be bits of it coming off even if you are completely sure that you used enough glue.
To keep the glitter from falling off your projects, seal the surface. Not only will you keep every piece of glitter in its respective place but the sealant will also provide your project with a glossy and smooth finish. Now that you know how to seal glitter on glass, you can easily make your next projects a whole lot better.
