This is the second of a series of posts about painting glass containers to use as accent pieces in my dining room (see DIY Crackle Painted Wine Bottle). The goal was to create painted glass containers with a variety of looks. Using an old mason jar and an old dollar store vase, two different yellow glass enamel looks were created using two different craft paints. The mason jar turned out bright and opaque and the vase turned out light yellow and almost transparent.

DIY Enamel Mason Jar

To paint the mason jar, Americana Gloss Enamel Paint in bright yellow was used. Per the product packaging, the paint was used undiluted. The paint is advertised for use on a variety of surfaces, including glass. About 3/4 of the paint was used to coat the jar.

Supplies:

• Mason Jar
• Rubbing Alcohol (99% Isopropyl Alcohol) $2.16
• Paper Towel and Paper Plate
• Americana Gloss Enamel Paint in Bright Yellow $1.79

Steps Used:

1. Prepare the Mason Jar:

Wash jar with soapy water, rinse and allow to dry

Use a paper towel and rubbing alcohol to remove any remaining debris or residue

Add rubbing alcohol to the jar and swirl to rinse

Allow the jar to dry FULLY

 

2.Transfer Paint and Coat the Jar:

Shake the paint to mix well before use

Squirt some of the paint into the jar undiluted

Rotate the jar and tap on a thick towel or your hand until the entire jar is coated

Add more paint as needed

*Note: The paint was very thick and it took a significant amount of effort and time to coat the entire jar. I was able to tap the jar pretty hard on a thick kitchen towel but was a little nervous about breaking it. This paint created a great opaque coat but was not the easiest method. I did try using a foam paint brush to spread the paint but was unable to achieve a coat without streaks. Using a paint brush would require multiple coats

3. Remove Excess:

When the jar is fully coated, turn the jar upside down on a paper plate or towel and allow excess paint to drip for 10 minutes

Turn the jar upright and wipe the rim of the jar

Clean any paint that spilled on the outside of the jar

 

 

4. Allow to Dry Fully:

Allow paint to dry at room temperature for 4 days

Bake in a 325 F oven for 30 minutes (per manufacturer instruction)

 

 

 

 

DIY Glass Enamel Vase

I had a glass dollar store vase that never gets used. With Transform Glass Enamel Paint, a yellow vase with a transparent coating of paint was created. Unlike the paint used for the mason jar, the packaging indicated to dilute paint with water for use on glass. Since I already had everything except the paint, it was $2 to paint the vase, and only half of the paint was used.

Supplies:

• Glass vase (already had but was from the dollar store) $1
• Rubbing Alcohol (99% Isopropyl Alcohol) $2.16
• Transform Glass Enamel Paint in Lemon Yellow $1.79
• Tap Water
• Paper towel and plastic cup

Steps Used:

1. Prepare the Vase:

Wash the vase with soapy water, rinse and allow to dry

Use a paper towel and rubbing alcohol to remove any remaining debris or residue

Add rubbing alcohol to the vase and swirl to rinse

Allow the jar to dry FULLY

 

 

 

 

2. Prepare Paint:

Transfer half of the paint into a plastic cup and mix with 1 tsp tap water

Mix until smooth using a disposable fork or knife

Paint should be able to be poured easily. If not, add more water, a little at a time

*Note: The more water used, the thinner the coat of paint, and the more transparent the look

3. Coat the Vase

Pour 1/4 paint mixture into the vase

Rotate the vase until no more paint moves

Tap the vase on a thick towel if needed to move paint further

Repeat adding paint and rotating until the entire vase is coated

 

 

4. Remove Excess and Allow to Dry:

Turn the vase upside down on a paper plate or paper towel for 10 minutes and allow excess paint to drip out

Wipe excess from the rim and any spilled paint from the exterior

Allow to dry 24 hours or more (per paint manufacturer instruction)

*Note: my vase took more than 48 hours for wet paint in the bottom to dry