We’ve been asked a few times now about how we actually get the videos to be seen on the windows…
Well, guess what?
We use buttermilk!
It will take a few trial runs so leave yourself time to mess it up wash and re-apply, oh it’s very sensitive to fingers & fingermarks!!! We’ve done lovely buttermilk glass for someone to come in and marvel at the fact that it’s buttermilk, touch it and then its washing window time for us.
Drying time can take a bit depending on condition/dampness of space, if the space is well heated it should dry thoroughly within 2 hours max.
=> It will not catch the image effectively if it is wet.
So this is how we do it, you need :
- roller and tray. the cheap ones are best. We’ve known others artists to use a sponge, but we can speak only for the roller and tray method.
- buttermilk
- kitchen towel….. lots.
- clean and dry glass thoroughly, this is really important as any grease marks will resist the buttermilk. and leave an uneven surface.
- pour buttermilk into tray and dip roller into it get it fully soaked.
- here’s the important part- the buttermilk is a heavy material and if applied too thick will simply slip/run down off the glass. so it needs to be applied quite thin. this is where the kitchen towel comes in.
- we usually roll out kitchen towel on the floor, long strips about 4 sheets in depth, this is so as to roll out surplus buttermilk onto it, effectively squeezing out a good chunk of whats been soaked up,
- long strokes in one movement from top to bottom, applying consistent pressure. this part is just trial and error till you get what you want, you can also use the roller to take off excess buttermilk, if youve found its too wet,
- have a look at it if its not running its good.
Only one coat is needed otherwise it starts creating patterns on itself.
good luck & happy buttermilking!
a note on buttermilk:
We are using the local buttermilk, from the local creamery, from the happy cows in the countryside around Nenagh. We have done a switch event in a different town and used the local buttermilk there – and it did not work.
Buttermilk is a natural product and will vary in fat content and a lot of other variables – what did the cows eat? So if you have more than one kind of buttermilk, try a few.
