Paints & Enamels - Which Do I Choose for My Fused Glass?
Hello! One of the most frequent questions we receive here at AAE is "how do I know which fusing paint to use for my project?" This can be tricky, especially with so many paint & enamel lines on the market. Below, I have highlighted each paint and enamel brand we carry at AAE Glass with some important tips and product information about each. This knowledge will assist you in choosing the right paint for your glass fusing projects. In addition, scroll down to the bottom of the email where I have even supplied some basic fusing schedules when using these wonderful mediums for glass.
Happy Fusing!
- Tanya Veit
Characteristics: Thinner consistency, wide mouth jars, fires glossy at higher temps, easily mixable to create custom color palette.
Cost: $18.95 per 6 oz. jar (by weight)
Firing Range: 1475°F - 1515°F
Mixing Medium Required: None
Best Mixing Tool: Popsicle Stick
Applications: Paint Pouring, Painting, Stippling
Can be Clear Capped?: Yes
Food Safe? Yes
Glass COE: 90 & 96
Other Notes: Big Mouth paints are great for mixing colors with no worry of reactions when paint pouring. Best color is achieved when firing to hotter full fuse temps when paint is on top of the glass. Color will mute a bit between layers of glass.
Big Mouth Paints Firing Tips
For Glossy and vibrant results, fire at least 1475 degrees with a 10 minute hold
Characteristics: Vibrant. Extremely strong color intensity that cannot be achieved using glass powders. Hot colors fire strong and vibrant. Easy to mix.
Cost: $16.50 per 1 oz. jar
Firing Range: 1250°F - 1650°F
Mixing Medium Required: Yes
Best Mixing Tool: Stainless Steel Paddle
Applications: Screen Printing, glass painting, air brushing, paint pouring and stippling
Can be Clear Capped? Yes
Food Safe? Only when capped with clear glass
Glass COE: 90, 96 and Float
Other Notes: EZ Fire enamels are a blessing to the fused glass industry. Glass enamels can be pricey. This enamel line is cost efficient compared to most brands and all colors fire true to color without any problematic issues. Be sure to mix to a smooth consistency. Thicker for screen printing, thinner for paint pouring and painting. AAE Glass packages these enamels in reusable plastic jars with lids which makes it very convenient for mixing and storing.
Helpful Firing Schedule
EZ Fire Enamels
Based on 6mm thick glass / 10" x 10" or smaller in size
Full Fuse • Enamels on top of glass
400 DPH to 1000 Hold 30 min.
60 DPH to 1225 Hold 60 min.
600 DPH to 1490 Hold 10 min.
9999 to 900 Hold 60 min.
100 - 700 Hold 01 min.
Full Fuse • Enamels on top of glass
400 DPH to 1000 Hold 30 min.
60 DPH to 1225 Hold 60 min.
600 DPH to 1490 Hold 10 min.
9999 to 900 Hold 60 min.
100 - 700 Hold 01 min.
Characteristics: Large selection of colors, no mixing medium required. Bottles are equipped with fine point tops for fine line "drawing" and shading, fires glossy at higher temps, easily mixable to create custom color palette.
Cost: $10.95 per 2 oz. bottle
Firing Range: 1475°F - 1515°F
Mixing Medium Required: None
Best Mixing Tool: Popcicle Stick
Best Application: Painting, Stippling, Filling in Paint Stickers
Can be Clear Capped?: Yes
Food Safe? Yes
Glass COE: 90 & 96
Other Notes: Mixes well with other Glassline colors to create a custom palette. Metal Tips are great for detail work. HOT TIP: Although these paints fire glossy on top of the glass at higher temps, such at 1500°F, you can still maintain that vibrant glossy color under a clear cap. How? Fire you piece with the paint on top to 1500°. Clear cap on a separate firing (you will need to dam your piece as it will be 9mm thick now) and full fuse. The color will remain vibrant.
Cost: $10.95 per 2 oz. bottle
Firing Range: 1475°F - 1515°F
Mixing Medium Required: None
Best Mixing Tool: Popcicle Stick
Best Application: Painting, Stippling, Filling in Paint Stickers
Can be Clear Capped?: Yes
Food Safe? Yes
Glass COE: 90 & 96
Other Notes: Mixes well with other Glassline colors to create a custom palette. Metal Tips are great for detail work. HOT TIP: Although these paints fire glossy on top of the glass at higher temps, such at 1500°F, you can still maintain that vibrant glossy color under a clear cap. How? Fire you piece with the paint on top to 1500°. Clear cap on a separate firing (you will need to dam your piece as it will be 9mm thick now) and full fuse. The color will remain vibrant.
Helpful Firing Schedule
Glassline Paints • Glossy Look
Based on 6mm thick glass / 10" x 10" or smaller in size
Full Fuse Glassline Paints on Top of Glass
400 DPH to 1000 Hold 30 min.
60 DPH to 1225 Hold 60 min.
600 DPH to 1505 Hold 12 min.
9999 to 900 Hold 60 min.
100 - 700 Hold 01 min.
Full Fuse Glassline Paints on Top of Glass
400 DPH to 1000 Hold 30 min.
60 DPH to 1225 Hold 60 min.
600 DPH to 1505 Hold 12 min.
9999 to 900 Hold 60 min.
100 - 700 Hold 01 min.
Characteristics: .Vibrant, Metallic Luster
Cost: $18.97 per container
Firing Range: 1325°F - 1500°F
Mixing Medium Required: No - use water
Best Mixing Tool: Paint brush
Best Application: Paint Brushes, Sponges or Q-tips
Can be Clear Capped?: No
Food Safe? No
Glass COE: 90 & 96
Cost: $18.97 per container
Firing Range: 1325°F - 1500°F
Mixing Medium Required: No - use water
Best Mixing Tool: Paint brush
Best Application: Paint Brushes, Sponges or Q-tips
Can be Clear Capped?: No
Food Safe? No
Glass COE: 90 & 96
Other Notes: Glass-Glo should be used as a surface application which results in a colored metal or sparkle appearance. Stabilized for glass, glazed ceramic and enameled metal applications. Glass-Glo is lead free and can be mixed with water for a watercolor effect or any oil based medium for thicker applications.
Helpful Firing Schedule
GLASS-GLO (If you have projects that are thicker and larger, you will have to slow down your ramp times but your hold temps and times will be the same.):
GLASS-GLO (If you have projects that are thicker and larger, you will have to slow down your ramp times but your hold temps and times will be the same.):
250 DPH - 350F - Hold 10min.
350 DPH - 500F - Hold 10 min.
350 DPH - 1000F - Hold 20 min.
600 DPH - 1325 - 1500 (Depending on your process & results desired.)
Continue on with your annealing schedule.
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