Shining edges of cut glass after grinding

by Mary
(Arkansas)

I would like to glue some pieces of cut glass to a bird house I painted. I am going to run the pieces gently against the grinder to get rid of sharp edges so you don't get cut picking up the bird house. How can I get the dullness from grinding shiny again so it looks prettier. It there a polish or something I should use?

Answer

There are bevelling machines available that would polish the edges of the glass, but that's a huge investment. Short of that, there's no way to do it economically.

Instead of the grinder, use a carborundum stone to take down the sharp edges. Hold the stone at an angle and quickly run it down both edges on all sides of the glass. It will dull the outer edges, but the majority of the face of the edge will remain shiny.

You could also do it mosaic style and put cement between the pieces. Mosaic cement can be colored, some even comes already colored, so it would look pretty (and you don't have to worry about the edges!). Look for mosaic cement at most hobby stores.