“Sandblasting” is basically what it sounds like - it’s the process of blasting sand particles at high speed to carve into a smooth surface. Sandblasting basically involves the sand particles being propelled by compressed air through a tube and the sand shoots through a nozzle at the end of the tube, hitting the glass and corroding the surface, leaving a milky white opaque look to it. Different etching effects are obtained by varying the amount of sand used, the speed of the jet and the nozzle at the end of the tube. The amazing patterns and detail you often see in sandblasted panes is created by simply ‘masking off’ the areas of the glass you don’t want affected by the sand with an adhesive vinyl. The masked off areas are not susceptible to the sand blasting, so remain crystal clear. This decorating method leaves a beautiful frosted etched marking on the glass that will last forever.