Spray Painting Glassware and Vases
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Spray painting glassware is not only easy, but it’s fun to change up thrift store pieces on a whim!
Thrift Store Glassware
Glassware such as this is so easy to find at thrift stores, or even in your own basement or garage!
Clean Glassware Well
Although spray painting glassware is easy, there are a few important steps to follow. For me, the first order of business was to pre-clean the glassware outside in a bucket. I was NOT bringing them into the house with all that nastiness.
After I pre-washed the glassware, I brought them in the house and washed them with warm soapy water.
Spray Painting Glassware
Then I hit them up with some white spray paint! It is amazing how much you can change plain ordinary glassware with spray paint. See more painted glassware ideas here.
For these items, I used Rustoleum paint. I did not use primer or sealer. I intend to use these solely to “look pretty”. Who knew spray painting glassware could be so fun?
I used the same paint on all the pieces. This short one (right) looks glossier probably due to the fact that it was a much shinier glass before I started.
On the wider mouthed pieces I lightly sprayed inside the mouth. If you do this, you will easily know what needs to be done. Remember—several light coats are best. I also turned them upside down to do the bottom.
Although the white is very pretty against the red, you can paint glass any color. Check out that link, and scroll down beyond the DIY Birdbath, and you will see a very pretty turquoise vase.
In fact, I recently spray painted this vase I picked up a while back at the thrift store. As I did with the white glassware, I washed and dried this vase well. It is a little tricky getting all the stickers off, but hot soapy water will make it easier.
Whenever I spray paint glass or anything really, I believe in doing several light coats. That really helps prevent runs. Spray painted glass dries very quickly, so even though I ended up doing 4 coats all together, this was still a really quick project.
Finally, for the fourth coat, I placed the glass vase on a 2×2 and made sure I had full coverage all around.
I only sprayed the outside of the vase, but I love, love, love how it turned out. Don’t you?
Related Content: Boho Vase
It looks so pretty with some dried hydrangeas! See, I told you spray painting glass is fun and easy!
See more great repurposed glassware projects here
gail
We spray painted a bunch of various shaped bud vases with Krylon Sea Glass Green, it was so easy & turned out awesome! They were 1960s era clear glass, so after washing them we just sprayed the exterior. They got 2 light coats & were done. Thrift store finds @50 cents a piece!
I love the color you chose! I’m sure they are so lovely. Spray painting glassware can become a habit!
Happy crafting!
gail
What kind of white paint
Any ole’ kind of white paint. Spray paint has improved so much over the last few years.
My best tip is to follow the manufacturers instructions. Each one is different as far as drying times etc.
gail
You can also spray paint the hydrangeas
I’ve dyed hydrangeas before, but I don’t think I’ve spray painted them. I’m anxious for my bush to start blooming!
gail
What about if you started with a colored glass like red and changed to another color. Will that work?
I believe it would work Linda. The paint gives very good coverage.
gail
This is a dumb question but…can you use any color on vases? In a magazine it said to prime first. You didn’t and the vases look great.
not a dumb question at all Nancy. I think it would work with any color. I haven’t had any chipping at all. I’ve used stainless steel spray paint, white, and aqua.
have fun! good luck!
gail
What an amazing difference–love the vase witht he leaf pattern and great against the red! Thanks for sharing at Beyond the Picket Fence’s Under $100 Party!
I love this idea! I went to the thrift store yesterday, and after seeing your idea here all I could think about was spray painting every vase, glass and urn! Fantastic idea!
White spray paint is amazing, right? I love how you transformed those old vases into beautiful art pieces. Really, really nice…Thanks for sharing!
This is a great idea! Pretty, cheap and easy~ I am a new follower!
Well, that is really nice to know. I will have to give it a try.
I love white and red together. Thanks for sharing. These look great!
THE DETAIL ON THOSE PIECES SHOW UP SO MUCH BETTER PAINTED WHITE. AND THE WHITE AGAINST THE RED LOOKS FANTASTIC.!
i always forget I can paint glassware! Those look like milkglass 🙂 Loverly.
I have never considered spray painting vases. Thank you for opening my eyes to more possibilities. They look great. I really love the frame though and up against the red, -it pops!!!!
Great idea! I have gobs of spray paint and have painted alot of things but never thought to paint glass! They all look so pretty! Thanks for sharing!
Sandra
love the idea of spray painting the vases. And I have found my favorite frames at thrift stores or dollar tree so far.
Hi Gail,
Happy new year to u and your family.
I am new at this. But I would love to learn how to do some art projects to decorate my home and I thought that a few spray painted glass/metal/stone flower vases in some standard/subtle colors like tan, beige, white, etc with flowers in them would look great in my home. Therefore, I would like some tips. I am thinking of going to my nearest Michael’s or Dollar Tree to pick up a couple of standard metal vases that aren’t to expensive and glass vases that aren’t too expensive or some stone vases that aren’t too expensive. My question is do I need to prime my metal vases before I spray paint them? And what kind of spray paint do u suggest for glass and metal or stone materials? My metal vases will probably be a mix of brass, copper, etc…. Please suggest.
Thanx.
Mrs. Pallavisree V Tambraparni(Palla)
Palla,
First, I would recommend shopping at a second-hand store for all your vases. Glass vases (even new from the dollar store) should be wiped down with alcohol before painting. They have some kind of coating on them when they’re new.
None of the vases should need priming if you buy Rust-o-Leum or Krylon that have the primer included.
Please read all the directions on the can, because they have different dry times and re-coat requirements. For example, paint second coat within 1 hour or after 24 hours.
Several light coats work better than 2 heavy coats.
Have fun!
Happy New Year Palla!
gail
Love how they turned out! I heart spray paint!
These vases look absolutely stunning in white! What a fantastic way to dress them up, Gail! 🙂
These look great. I love the white up against the red. Looking forward to seeing more red tomorrow.
I LOVE this idea. Amazing what that white paint did to those ordinary looking vases. The frame added just the right touch and against that red — stunning!
Great idea! Looks like milk glass. What kind of paint did you use and how many coats. Do you have to seal them too?
Gail, I was just thinking about that a few days ago and wondered how to paint glass!!! You must have been reading my mind. Thanks for the post.
What a transformation, I’ll have to try that! BTW I grabbed your button:)
I love how spray paint can change glass in a heart beat!! Love it..I am also drooling over that frame. I have kept my eye for something as cute as that. You are such a lucky girl…and have a fabulous eye for beauty yet to be “uncovered.”
Cheers~
e
That is so cool!! I love the look of the old glass in white. Did you spray the outside & the inside, or just the outside? I might have to try this one 🙂
I love the way the glass looks in white. On the short round one it looks shinier. Did you only paint the inside of that one? Or is it just the light?
That last photo is great! Love the way the vase looks framed now. What is it leaning against? You’re teasing us again, aren’t you? 😉