Paint a Smooth Finished Effect on Glass

Smooth effects can be painted on glass to jazz up the look of your jars, vases and vintage finds. It is simple, easy and inexpensive to add color and effects to your glassware while still maintaining the sleek, smooth finish of glass.

Steps

Antiquing a Mirrored Look

1. Choose an item which you would like to give a vintage look. Some good options would be mason jars and vases. Swing by a resale shop. There should be a large variety of these items to choose from, which should cost a couple of dollars each at the very most. You can even use empty jars and bottles you would otherwise throw away. Why not turn your trash into decorative art? For this effect, it is best to use glass with a smooth surface. Avoid pieces which have etching which may catch the water.
2. Purchase looking glass spray paint. This is available from Krylon. You should be able to find this at your local craft or hardware store.
3. Prepare the glass. Wash the glass thoroughly to remove any dirt or dust. Be sure the glass is entirely dry before applying the paint. It is best to use microfiber towels made for drying wine glasses. This will ensure that no lint is left behind after drying.
4. Fill a spray bottle with water. This is going to be used to create a patina or aged effect on the glass. You can also add white vinegar to the water for a stronger effect. The recommended combination is half water and half white vinegar.
5. Spray the glass surface with the water or water/vinegar mixture. Don’t get too carried away with how much water you use. Some droplets will run down the surface, but you want some of the water to bead.
6. Apply spray paint. Cover the surface with spray paint. The looking glass paint will be effected by the water in the spots where beads and droplets remain on the glass. This creates the the antique effect.
7. Coat with another layer. It is suggested to apply at least two coats. Allow the first coat to dry before applying the second. If you would like to increase the aged effect, spray another layer of water before adding the layer of paint.

Coloring from the Inside

1. Choose a hollow piece of glass. For this this effect we are going to be painting the object on the inside, so you want to find a jar, vase, glass, or even a decorative glass object or animal which has access to a hollow inside.
2. Find the perfect spray paint at your local craft store, hobby shop, or hardware store. Some suggestions might be a light blue or green to create a transparent, antique glass look. You may prefer a bold red to add a modern pop of color to your home.
3. Clean the glass thoroughly to be sure it is free of any residue, dirt or dust. White vinegar and water will give you the best clean finish. Drying with a microfiber towel ensures that no lint is left behind.
4. Cover the exterior of the glass object. In order to avoid any paint adhering to the outside of your project, wrap the object in a piece of plastic or a plastic bag and tape it well around the opening with painters tape.
5. Spray the paint inside the object. Insert the nozzle of the spray paint can through the opening of your object and coat the inside with a layer of paint. If it is an oddly shaped item, make sure that the hole is large enough to allow you to manipulate the nozzle in every direction to be able to reach all angles. Rotate the object as you go to ensure full coverage. If excess paint is collecting in one area, roll the object to spread the paint and avoid drips.
6. Allow the paint to dry. Place the object with the opening facing down. Drying takes at least five minutes to be dry to the touch. Make sure the paint is completely dry before applying a second coat.
7. Apply layers to meet your preference. For a more transparent look, you can use only a couple of layers. If you want a solid color, continue repeating the layering process until you reach the desired coverage.
8. Try acrylics. If the hole in your object doesn't fit the spray paint nozzle, consider pouring acrylic paint instead. Some acrylic paints are designed to be used on glass. These can be found at most hobby shops. They take longer to dry, but some can be baked to dry more quickly than air drying.
   • One benefit of using acrylics over spray paint is that you can get a nice opaque look using only one layer.
   • Another benefit of acrylic is being able to control where the paint goes as you roll it around the inside of the object. If you leave some of the glass clear, you can create a design with the paint.

Warnings

• Glassware which is painted on the inside is for decorative purposes only and should not be used for eating or drinking.
• Avoid solvent-based paint if you are painting on glassware or anything meant for food.

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