Sandblasting on glass
Definition
Sandblasting is a process of etching and etching obtained by projection of a jet of sand (corundum) very powerful (jet of compressed air) on a glass. The grains of sand create small cavities. This makes it possible to obtain a frosted or satin effect, to write and draw patterns on the glass and even to drill and carve it.
The process: (1870)
A violent jet of corundum sand is projected onto the surface of the glass with a compressed air gun. This projection of grains attacks the material giving a frosted appearance. The intensity of the frost varies with the duration of the application of the jet. The work is carried out in an airtight place to avoid inhalation of dust: either in a sandblasting booth where only the hands penetrate with gloves or automatically; either in a room (room) sanding for larger jobs where the user is protected by a combination.
The technique :
A stencil is cut manually according to the desired pattern. The parts of the glass that will not be sanded are called "reserves". For unit work, a sufficiently strong self-adhesive paper (adhesive film) is used. For series work, either a metal stencil (brass, zinc, copper) or a rubber stencil is used.
Factors that may vary the effects of sanding:
• Grain size
• Diameter of the nozzle
• Compressed air pressure
• Impact distance
• Jet orientation
Application :
The decoration by sanding allows to treat a wide range of materials such as glass, crystal, marble, copper, wood, jewelry, ceramics. The aesthetic effects produced by sanding are multiple:
• blurs or satin transparency
• modulation in the scattering of light
• creating a "soft" effect on the skin of the glass
• possibility of introducing extremely precise graphic elements (legends, logos, lines) on the surface of the glass.
• in the stained glass practice, artistic rendering is carried out with veneered glass by eliminating the colored veneer layer in order to reveal the basic glass with a clear colored tendency.
