Get Expert Help With Your Stained Glass Projects Here
Before you ask a question check out these stained glass answers to questions that have been asked by other readers. The answer you seek might already be there.
Stained glass projects are inspiring and fun, but also sometimes downright tricky! This page is for those moments – you’re storming along with your stained glass panels, imagining them basking in the morning sun, when suddenly you realise you don’t know something crucial, that what you’re doing just isn’t looking as good as you’d hoped, or you need a special stained glass tool but you don’t even know what it’s called…
…here’s where you can ask a question about any aspect of stained glass, and get expert – and best of all, free – advice from me and all the other stained glass addicts out there who are wanting to share their experience and help you out.
Visitors frequently contact me with questions about their stained glass projects, and I’ve often thought that my individual answers could be helpful for other people experiencing the same problem – so this page was born! I certainly don’t have all the answers – and that’s where you come in – you can answer as well as ask questions. That way, between us we’ll build a fantastic resource with accurate, expert and helpful advice for everyone.
I’m aiming to answer questions as soon as I can but don’t forget to check in for the latest update – you can set up an RSS feed for this very purpose.
Don’t forget to be as specific as possible about what you need –– there’s nothing more frustrating than going to the effort of asking a question, only to get the answer to a different problem. Photos are a great help and can be uploaded below.
Having Problems With Your Stained Glass Projects? We can help!
Ask a question about any problems you're having with your stained glass projects. Or answer questions that have been asked - it's quick, it's easy, and between us we'll build up a great store of expert knowledge that's free to share.
A reply should be online within two days, so keep checking!
Don't forget to be as precise as you can - you can upload a photo if you think it will help describe your problem more accurately.
Questions And Answers From Other Visitors
Click on the links below to see if the questions and answers from other visitors are helpful to you...
Colours Used for Stain Glass Painting
What kind of colours are used for stain glass painting ? What are the tools required for painting?
Milly's reply:
Happily, there's a whole range ...
Cleaning Glass From Antique Stain Glass Windows I recently had a request from a lady in PA. Her husband bought an old church years ago. What was left of the last stained glass window recently fell ...
Is Cutter's Mate Any Good? I am looking into buying a Cutter's Mate, glass saw or cutter of some sorts. I am wondering what kind of cutting system most have used on here and what ...
Texture Glass on Fish Tank I bought a old fish tank and the back texture glass was painted like this. Looks like it was painted and put in the freezer. Who can help me find out what ...
Painting on Float Glass
In reading about painting on float glass, I have one question, if I might bother you with it...
You are not to paint on the tin side of float glass, yet ...
Drilling Glass and Glass Engraving Tools I have been making stained glass panels for a while and I would like to incorporate drilling glass and engraved glass in my projects. I have been taking ...
Dangers of Soldering with Lead I repaired an old cigerette lighter case that had split at the seams, by soldering it with 60/40. It's a cooper/metal case. I have never soldered in my ...
Sandblasting Information Needed
I have recently purchased a small table sandblaster and was wondering if you could help me?
Could tell me the best settings to use when sandblasting ...
Soldering Stained Glass Lead to Copper Foil
How do you make the transition from stained glass lead came to copper foil when they join together, because the heights are different?
Milly's answer:...
What Width Stained Glass Lead To Use? Hi, when edging a stained glass panel to go in a door or window frame, what size should the edge stained glass lead be? I realise it needs to be wider ...
Kiln fire UV or matte picture glass?
Hi! My name is Linda, I am teaching myself kiln-fired, painted glass.
I am also a fan of salvage and recycle. Can UV coated or matte picture glass be ...
Half Rounded Stained Slass Lead Hi I'm just writing a long list of glass supplies which I need and have noticed that half rounded stained glass lead is approximately £1 per 2m more expensive ...
Glass Slumping Bowls When I slump a 12" bowl at 740c hold for 4 minutes, the result is fine, the outside has a nice shine. However when I slump a 5" small bowl using the same ...
Lace Soldering - More Details I've seen some lace soldering and was wondering if you could tell me how it's made. It's like lace created with stained glass solder and joins 2 pieces ...
Is Stained Glass Solder Project Rescuable? Can I rescue my stained glass solder project? I have a project that I just roughly soldered to hold it together on one side and have left the other to ...
Framing Round Stained Glass Projects I'm making some round stained glass projects and want to know what metal framing material is best. I've used zinc for my square projects and they are ...
Stained Glass Making - Plating Examples Both Tiffany and LaFarge used plating to give depth to their works. Is there anywhere in Southern England where one can view/examine examples of glass ...
Reusche Glass Paints
I would like to know where I can buy Reusche Glass Paints from?
Milly's reply: Hi John, thanks for your question. Reusche glass paints are available ...
Lead Free Stained Glass Solder Problem I have a Weller 80 soldering iron. I have been working with it on several stained glass projects, with lead 60/40 solder and standard soldering flux and ...
Sandblasting Stencils?
I am looking for someone to make stencils for my Sandblasting Machine on Glass - any ideas?
Milly's reply:
This is an interesting question, as sandblasting ...
Glass Painting on Mirrors I am interested in mirror glass painting, but I don't know much about it. Can you help me by telling me something about the type of glass paints to use,...
Problems with Glass Painting and Patina I have just begun traditional stained glass painting. I finished and kiln fired several pieces with Reusche glass paints, copper foiled them together, soldered,...
Working out Glass Paint Kiln Firing Schedule with Cones I’m trying to fire glass paint, and need help with my kiln firing schedule. My glass kiln is an old one and only has three settings; low, medium, high....
How to make glass etching cream?
I want to know how to make white glass etching cream for frosting the glass.
I have already bought the white powder (dudhi) and hydrofluoric acid and ...
Glass conferences and resources? I'd like to start making stained glass projects again. I have been interested in stain glass conferences. Are there any out there? Where do I go looking ...
Making Stained Glass - Narrow window question I am making a window for sidelite next to a front door. It is 8" x 80". I plan on leading it, as I think it is the strongest method for this size of ...
Diamond Shapes in Stained Glass Lead Came I am never satisfied with my leading on borders containing diamond shapes...I just can't figure out a consistent way to do it...can you help me do this ...
Fused Glass Molds Question I used "Slide" high temp mold release on a mold. The mold had been kiln washed but I thought I would try this product SLIDE. I used frit and fired to a ...
Making Stained Glass - How do you support a circle glass project? I have made 3 or 4 small stained glass panels and now may be a bit ambitious! but I want to make a circle panel to be put on top of a small glass top ...
What is the best kiln firing schedule to avoid devitrification? I am so frustrated and I didn't have this issue with the same kiln firing schedule in the cooler weather - now that the weather is hotter outside, I'm ...
Glass Slumping Process - Molds and Glass I need your advice on the glass slumping process. I purchased a small rice bowl measuring 3 3/4 inches at its top, 2 3/4 inches at its side, and 2 1/2 ...
Lead Glass Windows - Tight or Loose? I've had a couple leading classes from a stained glass teacher who said that the glass should be 'loose' in the piece. Loose meaning if you put your fingers ...
Using Unknown Paint For Stain Glass Painting I was given a number of small jars of paint. It came from the estate of a ceramic and pottery teacher. Some of it is in powder form others are liquids....
What Does Coefficient of Expansion Mean in Glass?
How do I know what glass to buy for my first stain glass painting (fired) project? What does Coe 96 or Coe 90 mean? How about thickness?
Milly's reply:...
Acid etching glass stencil for helicopter I do stained glass panels, and I've been asked to do a panel of a helicopter. I don't think I can cut & foil a good copter but perhaps acid etch one on ...
Non Lead Hobby Came
Do you still stretch hobby came like you do lead came?
Milly's reply:
This is a tricky question for me to answer, as you don't say what the came is ...
Stainless Candle Mold How do I get all of the folds folded? Four of the corners turned out great. It's the two end that kind of stick out. Do I need to manually squeeze the ...
Cutting bevels for decorative stained glass windows We are making two stained glass windows which have bevels all across the top and bottom. At each side there should be 1/2 of a bevel according to the pattern....
What kind of medium do you use to paint with enamels? We're making a stained glass window of the world and need to paint the land onto the water with enamel. I have some powdered enamel, but I don't know ...
Ceramics with glass I am doing a ceramics project with glass inlaid in the clay. I need to know if the glass will completely melt in the kiln or if nothing will happen. Either ...
Which Stained Glass Saw Do You Recommend? I have been making stained glass for 5 years or so now, and have decided that I would like to purchase a stained glass saw for cutting glass in order to ...
How To Cut Lead For Lead Glass Windows - Result! This is a follow-up to the question I asked you a couple of weeks ago about how to cut acute angles in lead for lead glass windows. I thought you might ...
Stain Glass Kits for Reproduction Tiffany Lamp I adore Tiffany lamps and would like, if possible to make my own reproduction lamp, but to do this I will need pointing in the right direction. I am a ...
How To Cut Lead for Lead Glass Windows I always have a problem when it comes to cutting a lead which meets another at an acute angle - see attached photo. What shape should I cut the lead to ...
Advanced Glass Painting Techniques I would like to know about more advanced or unconventional glass painting techniques. I have looked into screen printing and sponging and found very little ...
Permanent Marks for Stain Glass Patterns
I use a Taurus 3 ring saw for intricate cuts on stained glass. It works beautifully but I can
never get my pen marks to stay on the glass long enough ...
Fusing and Slumping Glass on a Budget I want to run a simple fusing and glass slumping project in the day centre of a charity for people with learning disabilities where I work. We are on ...
Materials for Stained Glass Starter Kit
What materials do I need to start making stained glass?
Milly's reply: Luckily I've written pages to answer your question about materials for a stained ...
Glass Etching Acid Disposal I have not used HF since I was an apprentice glass painter at Daprato Studios in Chicago about 1962.We had a dedicated cement sink with a standpipe and ...
How to bend zinc came
I have not worked with bevels before this project but I am going to use zinc came. Is there a secret to bending zinc came?
Milly's reply: Thanks for ...
Painting Glass Tutorials I am working with glass for years but only Tiffany technique. Now I need to learn painting glass because I work in the church and need draw Saints eyes,...
Tempering Glass
I would like to use simple glass panels when we replace our stair railing which is open. Can I fuse glass to strengthen it?
Milly's reply: Hi Linda,...
Silver Stain Kiln Firing Schedule I'm using a Reusche silver stain and am unsure about the kiln firing schedule to get it up to the proper temperature. Bring it up fast or slow? How long ...
Learning How to Make Stained Glass I need to do a course over a few days. I want to learn how to make stained glass and fused glass. Where is the best place to do it? I am from Ireland, but ...
Patina Discolouring on Stained Glass Panels When I wash my finished piece of stained glass, dry it, and apply the black patina and wash again, a month later, there appears a whitish stain, like the ...
Etching Paste or Sandblasting Glass Lantern I'd like to know if there's anyway to take a clear lantern globe and create the translucent effect like the one I've pictured. I'm new to this so I'm ...
Zinc U Channels in Stained Glass Making I've been doing some stained glass making and have a U-channel zinc edge that I got from the glass shop in a 3 ft length. When I bought it the clerk wrapped ...
Repairing Zinc Came In the "olden" days, they used a zinc came much different than today. Who has found the secret to unsoldering, cleaning and re-soldering this material?...
Stained Glass Supplies in Egypt I like Stained Glass very much, please tell me how to learn this beautiful art? Have in consideration that I am from Egypt, and I haven't much money to ...
Glass Painting on Float Glass
If I do glass painting on frosted or sandblasted glass, will there still be a tin residue that I need to avoid?
Thanks!
Milly's reply: Thanks for your ...
Painting With Glass Frit
My art project is somewhat unique. It uses glass frit, so I thought to ask...
I would like to glue colored glass frit to a mirror, similar to sand paintings ...
Glass Etching Cream Alternative Hi! I am from Pune, India. Firstly, the glass etching cream is not available here. Is there another option like some kind of acid and another cream. Also,...
What Kiln Should I Buy For Painting On Glass? I would like to start painting on glass but don't know what kiln to buy. I need to have a glass kiln that will run on a 13amp plug but is not so small ...
Smooth Glass Painting I want to paint a part of a glass panel on my front door it measures 37 x 7cm. I have bought glass paint which is in a bottle and the liquid is very thin ...
Glass Painting Problems I fired a glass painting project in my kiln made of float glass and a lot of air was trapped between the two layers. The bottom layer was painted. I am ...
Silver Stain Questions 1) Although I have read your item on silver stain I am still not clear why it is is usually fired on the 'back' of the glass. If the glass is already ...
Enamel or Glass Paint? I READ YOUR GLASS PAINTING TIPS. I WANT TO ASK ABOUT TIP: YOU USED OIL BASE AND THE SECOND LAYER WATER BASED. DOSE IT WORK FOR ENAMEL PAINT OR JUST FOR ...
Relief Glass Slumping Moulds I have been working with glass for 10 years now and done a bit of most techniques. I teach leadlight, copperfoil, stained (painted and fired) glass and ...
Kiln Firing With Powders
What are the firing temperature and soak requirements when using powders and frit in small molds?
Milly's reply: I'm going to need more information ...
Which Glass Kiln ??? I'm just looking for some insider knowledge on what you consider the best glass kiln for firing painted pieces in. I'm looking at buying a kiln, a good ...
Stencilling And Painting Glass Vases I want to stencil and paint on a clear glass vase. The stencil is a combo of words and a graphic in gold or etched with a gold coloring. The rest of the ...
Squaring A Stained Glass Panel I have just built a stained glass panel. The size was to be within the range of 52 X 33 1/2. I find that the size is okay, but it is out of square. How ...
Glass Paint for A-level Project I desperately need to glass paint my A-level project, but have found that when I try and paint it with the oil based paints its spreads very unevenly and ...
Does Painted Stained Glass Have To Be Fired? I plan to do a landscape of painted stained glass and want to paint trees and limbs on it. What kind of paint should I use and does it have to be fired ...
Lace Soldering Project
What materials do I need to do lace soldering and how is it done?
Milly's reply: Wow, this is an unusual question. I'm taking it that by 'lace soldering'...
Can Paragon Kiln Fire Stained Glass? I recently bought a Paragon kiln - the Fusion 8 model for hot glass. I was under the impression that I could only use certain types of glass, such as: Spectrum,...
Slumping Glass 6mm and 10mm I have been producing small pieces of slumped float glass in under 2 hours. They have survived successfully but I can see light brown colors around some ...
Problems with Glass Slumping Molds I'm trying to create different glass slumping molds for slumping, and recently they have not been working out so well. The mixture seems wrong but it is ...
Stained Glass Projects - Outside Lead
Can you buy lead that's only opened one side to make the border / frame?
Milly's reply: Hi Janice, the good news is, yes, you can. In the UK it's called ...
Backing for Stained Glass Mirrors I make stained glass frames for mirrors and am looking for a suitable material to protect the back of the mirror. I saw a slightly fluffy felt-type fabric ...
Glass Etching Paste How do you make glass opaque? I want it to look grey in colour and should be smooth in finish unlike the rough finish that you get with sandblasted glass....
Company Logo Hi, we recently restored our second floor office back to its original look from when the building was erected in 1915. We would like to replace one broken ...
Stained Glass Box Hinge Problem
I was making stained glass boxes and the problem I faced was that I could not fix brass hinges to make the top of the box workable.
Whenever I fix a hinge ...
Glass Mould Making Where would I find the type of flint needed to make glass slumping moulds? I am new at this and would like to learn the technique so my students can attempt ...
Glass Slumping Mold Mix I want to make a glass slumping mold. Could you please recommend a mold mix for me to purchase. Or if I should mix my own what materials do I use and of ...
Stained Glass With Frame
When putting together a stained glass project that will be in a frame, do you put it in first, or do your soldering then put it into the frame?
Milly'...
Stained Glass Repair Course I've not had much success in locating a course on the repair of stained glass. My aspirations are for repair of domestic stained glass and leaded lights ...
Glass Painting Tips I loved your site. I've been working with glass since 1982. Another way to get more than one layer of glass paint on before firing is to use slightly heavier ...
Painting On Glass With Sandblasting? I am working on a stained glass project that will have essentially two layers -- one with painted imagery and one with text. I'd like to create the text ...
Black Dichroic Glass I just sent a set of dichroic glass into my kiln for a full fusing and I found that at the end of the cooling period all my glass was black. This has ...
Glass Cutting Question I am making a leaded panel where a piece of glass requires a reasonably deep inward cut (As shown in the picture around the fish tail). Would this make ...
Kiln Firing Schedule for Glass Paint and Stain I need help with a kiln firing schedule, to include annealing. I am staining some replacement diamond shapes in the old type German cathedral glass (minster ...
What Is Glass Etching Activator?
I'm looking into doing glass etching. I can see that some of the stencils require an "activator". What is this, and is it toxic in any way?
Milly's ...
Wine Glass Painting I want to teach patients wine glass painting, so they can decorate glasses that will be suitable for sale to support our Not For Profit Agency. What is ...
Stained Glass Tools for Beginners I took a stained glass class 25 or so years ago and made a panel. I'm interested in taking stained glass up with an eye to possibly doing stained glass ...
Glass Painting Enamel Questions I am experimenting with glass painting by screen printing onglaze enamels and then firing the glass. Is there any glass enamels you can recommend that ...
Kiln Firing Schedule
If I have an empty kiln can I fire it directly to 1000 degrees or do I have to take it up in stages? Will the heating coil be damaged?
Milly's answer:...
Acid etching glass supplies
Where can I purchase hydrofluoric acid for acid etching glass? Thanks - and I love your site!
Milly's answer:
Thanks for giving me the opportunity ...
Fused Glass Produces Honeycomb Effect
I did some fused glass with some orange Spectrum glass in my kiln a little while ago, at the same time some blue Artista glass.
The kiln shelves were ...
How To Make Stain Glass Windows? I'm doing a project on cathedrals...and stain glass windows are pretty important so I wanted to explain how they are made...and I wanted to put it in simpler ...
Kiln Firing Schedule Produces Spikes Hi! I am a beginning glass fuser. I recently purchased a glass kiln. I'm full-fusing pendants. Each kiln firing schedule I've used has caused spikes. My ...
Help with glass painting techniques I have worked with stained glass as a hobby for about 6 years. I have an opportunity to build two windows for our church, which means duplicating the ...
How to cut glass accurately? I am using the foil technique and my glass cutting is just not that accurate. I have small gaps between foiled pieces. Am I being too much of a perfectionist ...
Measuring Stained Glass Panels I don't understand something about measuring stained glass panels. If you have a lead window and the lead is say 1/8in. thick and your glass goes into ...
Painting glass scene I wish to paint a scene on glass then use it in a leaded glass window. I made a leaded glass window about 20 years ago and would like to replace it. The ...
Cleaning hobby came on stained glass projects I am struggling with my stained glass project. How do you clean the simple leaded angel after soldering so that corrosion doesn't form on the hobby came?...
Glass sizes when slumping?
I am trying to slump glass, and wanted to ask about the glass size on a mold. Should it be smaller than the mold when you cut it?
I have just only really ...
Is it OK to mix silver nitrate with vinegar? For my stained glass projects I need to stain a piece of glass. Most websites come up with painting on glass, but I just want to do the yellow staining....
Etching terminology for U.S users?! I am from the U.S. and a bit confused by some of the terminology on the techniques page. For the masking agents, you mention "bitumen" and "Fablon". Is ...
Where can I buy glass enamels? Great website! For my new stained glass projects I'm going to try my hand at glass enamels. I am using a LOT of plate glass (coe 82+-) and understand ...
Stained Glass Projects Book To Recommend? I have visited your site, it's superb. I want to learn about etching, texturing, painting and all types of methods that can be done on glass for art and ...
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