How to Paint Window Glass to Decorate for the Holidays

You’ve hung the holiday decorations with care, plugged in the lights, and decorated the mantel … what’s next? The windows! Painting your window glass this holiday season is super festive and a fun! It’s also a great way to involve your kids in the holiday decorating.

Christmas Painting on Glass Windows

Before you dive into your window painting project, we have some the tips that can help make this holiday project a success:

What Paint to Use on Glass Windows

You don’t want permanent window decorations, so make sure you use the correct paint: Any interior water-based acrylic paint will work and so will washable tempera paint. You can find both in many different colors at your local craft store.

Prep the Paint

Thin the paint with a splash of water if it’s too thick. If not sticking well to the glass, add a few drops of dish soap to 1 cup of paint.

Inside or Outside?

You can paint the interior or exterior of the glass, it’s up to you. Paint the side that you want to be the most visible. If you have tinted windows, your painted-on decoration might be hard to see on the inside if you painted the outside, and vice-versa. Before you begin, don’t forget to clean the glass with glass cleaner so you have a clean surface to paint.

Brush Selection

There’s no need to get fancy with your brush selection, foam or bristles will work. The finer the bristles, the cleaner the line. Foam brushes won’t leave brush marks.

Mask-Off the Area

Once you have your paint and brushes, it’s time to paint. If your window has mullions (glass dividers) or you’re worried about getting paint on the trim or sill, you can simply mask-off these areas with painters' tape and masking paper.

Five Glass Window Painting Ideas

Here are five tips to elevate your holiday window painting game and impress family, guests, and even Santa:

Use stencils

Print out holiday-themed paper stencils online, add some color and tape them on some window. Or use a can of artificial snow to fill in the stencil on your window.

• Use painters' tape

Just like stencils, using painters' tape to make designs on the windows gives you unlimited stencil options. Just be sure to use tape that has a low adhesion, which will save your windowpanes from sticky tape residue.

• Use paint sticks

Paint sticks are like markers with paint inside. They are easy to use, don’t leave a big mess and kids love them. Check out your local craft store.

• Frost the windows

Use 1/2 cup warm water and mix in 1/3 cup of Epsom salt until the solution is very saturated and the salt stops dissolving. Once the salt is dissolved, add three drops of dish soap to help it adhere to the glass. Next, use a sponge to blot the windows with this mixture where you want the glass to look frosted. Use a paper towel to catch drips.

• Spray some snow

Give your windows a frosted touch with a can of spray-on snow. You can pick up a can at your local craft or hardware store. It’s simple to apply, easy to clean, and gives your windows a wintery feel.

How to Remove Paint from Window Glass

When the holiday season winds down, there will come a time when you need to remove your beautiful painted-on window decorations. Here’s how: Simply moisten the paint with window cleaner or soapy water then allow it to soak into the paint for a few minutes. When it’s softened up, use a razor blade to scrape the paint off the window. To prevent scratching the glass, hold the blade at a 45-degree angle to the glass and make sure the glass and paint are wet. Once you’ve removed the paint, clean the window as normal.

Related Topic: Prepare Your Home for the Holidays

Interior Painting Experts

Painting your windows for the holidays adds to the festive mood of the season. It’s a fun project the whole family can get involved in. Although we can’t help you paint your windows this holiday, we can help with all of the other painting projects on your list.

When you’re ready to get that next painting project completed, contact your local paint pros at Five Star Painting. We have the experience, expertise and tools to give the interior or exterior of your home a fresh, new look. To learn more, give call or request a free estimate online.

This article is intended for general informational purposes only and may not be applicable to every situation. You are responsible for determining the proper course of action for your home and property. Five Star Painting is not responsible for any damages that occur as a result of this blog content or your actions. For the most accurate guidance, contact the Five Star Painting location nearest you for a comprehensive, on-site assessment.

FAQs About Holiday Window Painting

Our years of experience, attention to detail, and decades-long commitment to exceptional customer service set Five Star Painting apart from the competition. Continuing this high standard also includes using our knowledge and experience to answer your most frequently asked questions about temporary window paint.

Can I use any acrylic paint on windows?

While you can use most interior water-based acrylic paints for decorating windows, it's not always the ideal choice—especially if you intend for the artwork to be temporary. Standard acrylic paint is designed to be permanent once dry, which can make removal difficult.

For creating temporary window decorations, particularly festive ones, consider using paints specifically formulated for this purpose, often referred to as “Christmas window paint” or window clings. Washable tempera paint is often recommended for window art projects. These alternatives are designed to be easily applied and, more importantly, easily removed without damaging the glass.

If you do opt for regular acrylic paint, keep in mind that it will adhere strongly. Removal will likely involve soaking the paint with soapy water or a window cleaner and then carefully scraping it off with a razor blade held at a shallow angle to avoid scratching the glass.

How do I stop window paint from dripping?

Window paint may drip due to the type of paint, the weather, and the process used to apply it. Here's how to minimize drips when using temporary window paint:

• Apply thin coats: Multiple thin layers are always better than one thick coat. Overloading the brush or applicator with paint is a primary cause of drips.
• Don't thin the paint unnecessarily: Unless the specific window paint instructions advise thinning for application, avoid adding water or other thinners. Thinner paint is runnier and more prone to dripping.
• Use the right tools: Opt for applicators that allow for controlled paint release. For detailed work, use fine-tipped brushes or specialized window paint markers. For larger areas, use a small, low-nap roller (make sure it's not oversaturated!).
• Work in sections: Apply paint to smaller areas one at a time. This prevents the paint from sitting too long and potentially dripping before you can spread it evenly.
• Wipe excess paint: Before applying the paint to the window, gently wipe any excess off your brush or roller on the edge of the paint container or palette.
• Apply even pressure: Use consistent, light pressure when applying the paint. Avoid pressing too hard, which can squeeze out excess paint.
• Let each coat dry completely: Ensure each layer of paint is fully dry before applying the next. Wet paint on top of wet paint increases the risk of drips.
• Work in optimal conditions: Avoid painting in direct sunlight or extreme temperatures, as this can affect the paint’s drying time and consistency, potentially leading to drips. High humidity can also contribute to drips.
• Catch drips immediately: If you see a drip forming, address it right away with a clean, damp cloth or the edge of your applicator before it dries.

Will painting my windows make my room darker?

Painting your windows will make your room darker to some extent. The degree of darkness depends on several factors:

• Opacity of the paint: Opaque paints will block most light, while more translucent paints will allow some light to filter through (although it may be tinted).
• Coverage: Multiple thick coats will naturally reduce light transmission more than a single thin coat.
• Color of the paint: Darker colors absorb more light than lighter colors, resulting in a darker room. Even a light-colored opaque paint will reduce the amount of natural light entering the space.
• Size and number of painted windows: Painting a small portion of one window will have a minimal impact compared to painting all the windows in a room.

Consider the purpose of painting your windows. If you’d like to create a temporary decoration or increase privacy while still allowing natural light, use translucent paint or leave some areas unpainted. However, if you aim for full coverage with opaque paint, expect a noticeable decrease in natural light and the need for more artificial lighting.