Color Mason Jars

Coloring your mason jars is a great way to add a pop of color to your table setting or party decorations. To color your mason jars, you can either tint them with food coloring, paint them with acrylic paint, or spray paint them. Whatever method you choose, they are all fun and easy. You may even end up trying all three methods.

Steps

Tinting with Food Coloring

1. Clean your jar. You must do this if you are re-using an old mason jar. Wipe the inside and outside of the jar with a cotton swab soaked in rubbing alcohol. Then wash the jar with soap and water. Use a clean, dry towel to dry the jar.
   • If you are using new, unused mason jars, then just rinse the jars with water, and dry them with a clean towel.
2. Mix together your mod podge and water. Pour 4 tablespoons (60 ml) of mod podge onto a paper plate. Then mix in 2 tablespoons (15 ml) of water. Using a plastic spoon (or a popsicle stick), mix the mod podge and water together until they are well-combined.
3. Add 5 drops of food coloring to the mix. Use a color of your choice; it could be blue, red, green, purple or yellow. Use your spoon to mix the food coloring into the mixture. Mix until the food coloring is well-combined, or until all of the specks of color are completely gone.
   • The color may look pastel at this point. Don’t worry, however, because once it dries, it will be a regular, non-pastel color.
   • If you want a lighter shade, then only use 2 to 3 drops of food coloring. If you want a darker shade, then use more than 5 drops of food coloring.
4. Swirl the mixture around. Pour the mixture into the jar. Using your hand, tilt the jar from left to right. Do this until the entire surface inside of the jar is coated with the mixture. As you coat the inside, make sure the mixture does not drip out.
   • Alternatively, hold the jar with both of your hands. Roll the jar from one hand to the other until the entire surface is coated inside the jar.
   • Avoid using a paintbrush to coat the inside of the jar. This will result in a streaky look (unless that is what you are going for).
5. Pour the mixture out. Do this once the entire inside surface of the jar is coated. Pour the excess mixture out onto a paper plate. As you pour out the mixture, make sure to coat the mouth of the jar. Then place the jar upside down on a paper plate for a couple minutes. This way you can make sure all of the excess mixture is removed.
   • To ensure an even color, let the mixture drain until only a thin layer is left on the inside of the jar.
   • Make sure to wipe away any excess mixture from the jar’s rim.
6. Let it air dry. After the excess mixture has drained completely, use a paper towel to wipe away any excess from the jar’s rim. Then place the jar right side up on top of a clean paper plate or newspaper. Let the jar air dry for 24 to 48 hours.
7. Dry the jar in the oven. Use the oven if you want to speed up the drying process. Line a cookie sheet with wax paper. Place your jar upside down on the cookie sheet. Put the jar in a pre-heated, 200 degrees Fahrenheit (93 degrees Celsius) oven for three minutes. Remove the jar from the oven and place it right side up on the cookie sheet. Use a paper towel to wipe away any mixture from the jar’s rim. Place the jar back in the oven for 30 to 40 minutes.

Painting with Acrylic Paint

1. Prime the jar. Use a spray paint primer that can be used on glass to do this. Spray the outside surface of the jar until it is completely coated. Let the primer dry per the instructions on the spray can.
   • If you want a chalky finish, then use chalkboard paint to prime your jar.
   • If you are re-suing an old mason jar, make sure to clean it with rubbing alcohol, as well as soap and water.
2. Paint a base coat. Starting from top to bottom, use a foam brush to paint on your base coat. The base coat layer does not have to be perfect. It can be streaky. Let the base coat dry for one hour.
   • If your hand can fit inside the jar, then place your hand inside the jar while you paint the outside surface. This will make painting the jar much easier.
3. Add a second and third layer of paint. Do this once the first layer is dry. Using the same method, paint the second layer onto the jar. Allow the second layer to dry for one hour. Then paint the final, third layer onto the jar, making sure the paint looks smooth (as opposed to streaky).
   • Let the third layer dry for an hour as well.
4. Sand the raised edges. Do this if you want to give your jar a vintage look. Using 80-grit sandpaper, sand the raised letters, symbols, and even the rim of the jar. Sand the raised edges until the paint is completely removed and the raised edges stand out.
5. Seal the paint. Spray a thin layer of acrylic or clear coat matte sealer onto the jar. Let the sealer dry per the instructions on the can. The sealer will help prevent chipping.

Spray Painting

1. Add a layer of primer. Spray the entire surface of the jar with the primer until it is completely coated. Before purchasing your primer, check the back of the spray can to confirm that the primer is suitable for glass surfaces.
2. Add a layer of spray paint. Before you begin spraying, shake the can. Hold the can three to four inches (76.2 to 101.6 mm) away from the jar. Press the nozzle and begin spraying the jar in a side-to-side motion. Spray the jar until the entire surface is covered with paint. Let the paint dry for ten minutes.
   • For the best results, use a high-quality spray paint.
   • Protect your hands with rubber gloves.
3. Spray a second layer of paint. Do this once the first layer is dry. Using the same method, spray the entire surface of the jar until it is completely covered with paint.
   • Make sure to shake the paint can before you begin spraying the second layer.
4. Let the jar air dry. Do this once you have a smooth, even surface of spray paint. Let the jar air dry for ten more minutes.
5. Add a layer of sealer. Once the jar is dry, spray a thin layer of clear acrylic sealer over the entire surface of the jar. This will lock the spray paint in. Let the jar dry per the instructions on the can.

Things You'll Need

• Mason jar(s)
• Mod podge
• Food coloring
• Spray paint primer
• Spray paint
• Acrylic paint
• Foam brushes
• Sandpaper
• Rubber gloves
• Clear acrylic sealer

Sources and Citations

See also

• Make Emoji Jars
• Make Mason Jar Lights
• Remove a Jar Label
• Date Old Ball Mason Jars
• Get Wax Out of a Jar Candle
• Make Glow Jars
• Make a Snow Globe With a Jar
• Make Mason Jar Candles
• Make Mason Jar Glow Stick Lanterns
• Make a Head in a Jar

Read more ...