Coloring Glass

Learn a technique for staining glass that’s waterproof, dishwasher safe, and non-toxic.

Tips:

1
You’ll need Vitrea 160 paint, made by Pebeo. I bought these at Michael’s Craft store, and they have a variety of colors and finishes. They cost around five dollars each, but a little goes a long way. I chose glossy turquoise.

2
You’ll also need Pebeo’s paint thinner. You don’t want to mix it with any other brand of paint thinner because it will alter the chemical composition of the paint.

3
Update: Pebeo paint is no longer carried by Michael’s, although it’s available online. Michaels does carry a Martha Stewart version, but I haven’t tried it yet!

How to:

1
Stir the paint before pouring. Mix a pea-sized dab of paint with about a quarter-teaspoon of paint thinner. You can adjust the ratios to get the depth of color you’d like.
2
Paint the outside of the jars with smooth vertical strokes. If you make a mistake, dampen a paper towel with water and wipe the affected area. Allow the jars to dry for 24 hours.
3
Once the jars have dried for a day, it’s time to bake the jars to seal the color. Do not preheat the oven. Put the jars on a cookie sheet inside a cold oven, and set the temperature to 325 degrees.
4
Bake for 40 minutes, then turn off the oven and leave the jars inside until the oven has cooled. This will protect the jars from any large variations in temperature that could weaken the glass.
5
You can turn your jar into a festive party cup by using the lid insert as a template for a paper circle. Punch a hole for a straw and you can create adorable place settings to match your party decor.

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25 thoughts on “Coloring Glass

  1. Amber Edwards says

    Oh my goodness! I LOVE this!!! I will definitely have to give this a try! Thank you! SO Stinkin’ CUTE!

    Those would make some super Fun Wedding Table Decor center pieces too! :)

  2. Julie B says

    I tried this technique, and they turned out really streaky. I’m not sure if I just didn’t use enough paint thinner or what. I am going to try using a Magic Eraser next time to see if that will look better.

    • says

      Julie, you may want to do one light coat and let it dry for a few minutes, then add another light coat to smooth it out :)

  3. Tori says

    hey!
    if I have to wait longer than 24 hours to bake my jars will that be okay?

    • says

      To tell you the truth, I’ve never tried it. But I don’t see why it would matter, because you need to wait for the paint to dry before baking. So, as long as they’re dry, I wouldn’t think it would matter how LONG they’ve been drying for :)

  4. Tori says

    thanks much!
    i have another quick question for you..
    i have the idea of doing a layer of one color then waiting several hours to add a layer of a different color in hopes of it turning out overall as an entirely different color..
    how long would you suggest waiting in between each coat?
    and will letting it dry 24 hours after the last coat be sufficient enough to bake?

  5. Darlene says

    Thanks so much for sharing. I can’t wait to try this. I pinned it too.
    http://cinnamonpink.typepad.com/

  6. Randi says

    I bought several Pebeo 160 colors from Micheal’s on clearance…Do these paints have a “use by” date? I noticed a black number stamped on the lids like “130/10” and “165/11”. Are the number after the slash the year the paint was made? And does it matter? I’m not getting the results like you did! I think the paints may be OLD…Thank you!

  7. tina says

    I tried to find this brand of paint at michaels and its being discontinued. Can you use another brand and get the same results?

  8. Terri says

    I’m having no success with this at all. I’ve tried using different glass paint because I can’t find the Vitrea 160 paint anywhere. Any suggestions?

    • says

      That’s the only glass paint I’ll use because of its high quality. Perhaps you could buy it online?

  9. Susan says

    I am having an issue of it being very streaky. Do I need to use more thinner? I am using a sponge applicator just like the one in the video. My issues comes up around the lid area where the screw on top meets the bottom. It wants to look bubbly there and when I swipe from side to side to smooth it out it causes the rest to streak. Any tips on how to get around that top area?

  10. kat says

    This is the closest thing I’ve found to simulating depression glass in the colors I like, so I’m really excited. However, I wonder if there’s any way to bake at a lower temperature and still seal the paint? I’d like to do this with more delicate vases that may not stand heat as high as 350.

  11. Melissa Aldana says

    I have been meaning to grab this product. the most important tip i s that you got it at Michaels. I’m heading over there today.

  12. Great article, exactly what I wanted to find.

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  16. Aveeno says

    Cool article, It was practical.

  17. Judy says

    I’ve tried this paint several times and it ALWAYS streaks. Shows brush strokes etc, I was told you have to “puddle” the paint on the glass and allow it to cover the glass. Good luck with that!

  18. I use the Pebeo Vitrea 160 for my glassware I sell professionally to galleries across the country. I think if you use a better brush the streaks will not show. I have not used the dillute bottle to lighten the color. I used it when the Vitrea 160 color bottle have thinkened. The Vitrea 160 bottle tend to thinken when expose to a lot of air.

    • says

      Great tips, thanks!

  19. Rosemary Laffrey says

    You should mntion that the paint is safe to use on the outside of items that come in contact with food and drink. It is not safe to use inside glassware or on a plate, serving dish or any item that would come in contact with food. The company’s webite is very clear on that. They also reconmend handwashing as dishwasher detergents are abrasuve, thats why they can clean your pots, pans and dishes
    e

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