What is Glass Frosting?
Before looking at this development in detail, I would like to define what we mean by glass frosting and describe the techniques used to impart this effect on glass. The word ‘frost’ in the context of glass, should conjure an image of a window pane on a freezing cold morning or an icy beer glass, just removed from the freezer, waiting to fulfill its refreshing destiny. At its best a frost should be subtle, mysterious and elegant. Frosting is used on many types of glass including mirrors, art glass, lighting fixtures, barware, cosmetic bottles and liquor containers.
Basically, frosting adds value and marketability to glass in many ways. Among these are: by giving the article an eye catching difference from clear or flint glass items. Another, in the case of a cosmetic or liquor container, is by enhancing the appearance of the product, giving it a simmering magical look, and also, by hiding some unwanted feature in the product, such as a dip stick in an aerosol perfume bottle, or sediment in a liquor container.
Chemical Attack: The SGCD Glossary defines a frost as a “roughened glass surface usually produced by immersing the article in hydrofluoric acid and fluoride compounds.” This is what many people call acid etching. We prefer the term “frost” since “etching” can have the connotation of deep cutting.
Generally, an acid frosted glass item has a smoother feel than those items decorated with ceramic spray or sandblasting. An acid frost doesn’t have to be fired, as does a ceramic spray frost and acid frosting lends itself to automation. It is therefore considered an economical decorating method. |
