Help me dull up a table!
July 19, 2022 3:11 PM   Subscribe

Is there a good way to make a shiny black surface less shiny?

We bought a fire pit for our deck, and while we love the size of it, and the whole "we own a table that spits fire" of it, one thing we don't love about it that we didn't really even think about when we bought it is the finish. It's got a black glass surface, which looks lovely but is a lot more reflective than I think we thought it would be.

Consequently, we're trying to think about ways to maybe make it less so. When we're not using the fire pit part, we can cover up the table with a tablecloth, no problem, but when the fire's going that obviously isn't realistic. Problem is, neither of us are a) artistic or b) talented or c) creative, so all we can think of is what is clearly a very bad option - sanding it with light grain sandpaper.

To be clear: we are not going to do this!

But, that's what I mean about "not creative" - I'm sure there are probably creative ways to sort of matte-ify or otherwise de-shine the glass top of this table without ruining it, but I have literally no idea what those might even be. Do you?

(Please assume for purposes of this question that returning it or reselling it, and buying a different one, are not viable options.)

I'm also OK with doing nothing, if that turns out to be the smartest move; I just want to know what if any options we have.
posted by pdb to Home & Garden (13 answers total)
 
Sandblasting can give glass a fairly consistent surface. It's gotta be done carefully, because I've definitely managed shades of opacity when sandblasting clear glass, but it's a way to give a fairly wide "brush" with reasonably controllable density across a glass surface.
posted by straw at 3:14 PM on July 19, 2022


Clear matte spray paint is a thing, though I'd hesitate to spray it on a surface that's next to an open flame! However, there may be a clear, fire-safe coating you can add atop the matte paint.
posted by Dr. Wu at 3:35 PM on July 19, 2022 [1 favorite]


A couple of things that are easy and reversible

A satin wax finish

A soap layer that dries on top

A translucent layer of hard plastic would protect the top and knock down the shine.
posted by effluvia at 3:38 PM on July 19, 2022


Could you leave it uncovered and let it rain and sun do their own kind of damage?
posted by bluedaisy at 3:52 PM on July 19, 2022


What about matte black ceramic tiles laid on the surface. I don't think you need to grout, you can just butt them together and afix them (somehow) temporarily or permanently. Slate or slate tiles are another option.

Or, there's glass etching paste called Armour Etch you can buy and brush on. You can do a stenciled design if you worried about getting it even.
posted by TWinbrook8 at 4:00 PM on July 19, 2022


A very fine grained sandpaper and a random orbit sander doesn’t sound like a terrible choice to me, honestly.
posted by mhoye at 6:04 PM on July 19, 2022 [3 favorites]


Are the glass pieces removable? If yes, you could take them to get sandblasted at a local shop.
posted by mekily at 7:04 PM on July 19, 2022


ArmorAll make a product called ArmorEtch. You wipe it on, wait a few minutes, rise it off. I think it's exactly what you're looking for. Craft stores sell it.
I usually put a sheet of plastic over it so it doesn't dry as fast, and give it ten minutes, but just to take the surface off you probably don't need to do that. You can't dilute it at all or it won't work.
The instructions say to wear rubber gloves, I usually do. It's pretty mild and doesn't smell.
Bear in mind that this will be tempered glass. Etching the surface will be okay. I'd be careful sanding or sandblasting it, as it can suddenly let go, but I don't know how much or this it will take. If you decide to have the latter done they'll probably be able to tell you.
posted by AugustusCrunch at 7:15 PM on July 19, 2022 [6 favorites]


Chemicals made to etch glass are generally HF, hydrofluoric acid. That's the one where if you get it on your skin, you can die. For a large area I think sandblasting is the thing to try.
posted by fritley at 9:19 AM on July 20, 2022


seconding mhoye: thinking 1000 grit or higher (but no higher than 2k)
posted by ivanthenotsoterrible at 9:43 AM on July 20, 2022


Are you able to flip the glass pieces? If so, are the reverse sides the same texture?
posted by yeahlikethat at 10:04 AM on July 20, 2022


Also high temperature spray paint is a thing, black satin finish for BBQs, flat clear for car parts. I'd check the glossiness and how well they work on glass before going full blast. If they're too shiny, you could try lightly misting the paint from a few feet above to get a sort of speckled textured finish.
posted by yeahlikethat at 10:11 AM on July 20, 2022


I like AugustusCrunch's suggestion of etching cream, but just wanted to add: I've gone pretty deep (like "wow, I'm carving away glass" deep, not just "oh, the surface is now evenly translucent" deep) into tempered glass from the face. It's the edges that make tempered glass go boom.
posted by straw at 1:03 PM on July 20, 2022


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