Glass jars can be used not only for storing workpieces. In many homes, they are used as flower vases, pencil holders or decorative items. Glass jars look beautiful on their own, and if it's interesting to color them, they will add an original touch to your interior. You can even use paints of special colors that are in harmony with the interior or suitable for the atmosphere of the upcoming holiday.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Paint the outside of the jar
Step 1. Remove the label and clean the jar from the remaining traces
First, scrape off the label and price tag, if applicable. Wash the jar thoroughly with soap and towel dry. For reliability, you can wipe it with rubbing alcohol.
- The advantage of this painting method is that the jar can be filled with water and used as a vase for fresh flowers.
- However, this method also has a drawback: quite noticeable smears may remain on the jar.
Step 2. Apply two coats of acrylic paint
Apply the first coat, let it dry, then apply the second coat. The first layer should dry for about 20 minutes. You can paint with a regular or foam brush. When the paint is dry, turn the can over and paint the bottom two coats as well.
- Paint evenly from top to bottom. Apply the paint in a thin layer to avoid visible smears on the glass. If the paint still shows through, a third coat can be applied.
- Rotate the can by sticking your hand inward. This way you will not get dirty or leave marks on the painted surface with your fingers.
Step 3. Leave the jar to dry overnight
Some acrylic paints are enamel and take a long time to dry - they can take about 20 days to dry completely. Carefully read the description of the properties on the package.
- The label must state that the paint is enamel. Also see instructions for use. If it says that the paint sets completely within a few days, then it is acrylic enamel.
- If using regular acrylic paint, let it dry overnight.
Step 4. If desired, sandpaper the painted surface to give the jar a vintage look
Lightly sand the can threads with 10-H grit sandpaper (P120). Use the same sandpaper to sand the bottom. Sand the raised areas with a 12-H grit (P100) or a nail file.
Step 5. Seal the can by applying two coats of acrylic sealant
Choose the gloss level according to your taste. Use a glossy compound to give the jar a shiny look. On a sanded can, a matte or semi-matte finish will look better. The sealant is best applied with a spray can, but can also be applied with a brush.
Step 6. Before using the jar, wait until the composition is dry and set
The jar can be used as a vase for fresh flowers, since you only painted it on the outside. If the jar gets dirty, wipe it off with a damp cloth. Do not scrub the jar with a hard sponge or leave it in the water, or the paint will peel off.
Method 2 of 4: Paint the inside of the jar
Step 1. Wash the inside of the jar with soap and dry with a towel
It also does not hurt to wipe the inside of the jar with rubbing alcohol to remove residual grease that can interfere with the quality of paint application. If there is a label or any stickers on the jar, remove them.
- The advantage of this painting method is that no brush strokes are visible from the outside.
- The disadvantage is that the jar cannot be filled with water and cannot be used as a flower vase.
Step 2. Pour acrylic paint into the jar
The amount of paint depends on the size of the can. The larger the jar, the more paint you need to pour. Although, if you pour in just a little paint, that should also be enough. If not enough, more paint can be added.
For most jars, 1-2 tablespoons (15-30 ml) are sufficient. For a small jar with a volume of 250 milliliters or less, 1-2 teaspoons are enough
Step 3. Shake the paint in the jar
Tilt the jar in different directions. Then lay it on its side and roll to spread the paint over the inner surface. You can roll the can until the entire surface is covered with paint, or leave gaps.
- If there is not enough paint to cover the interior surface, add a couple more teaspoons to the jar.
- If the paint does not smear well, it is too thick. Put some water in the jar, stir the paint and try again.
Step 4. Stack a few paper towels and place the jar on top of them, neck down
Place a waterproof material such as wax paper on your work surface or tray. Stack a few paper towels on it and place the jar upside down on top of them. Excess paint will run down the walls and soak into the paper towels.
If you leave gaps, be aware that there will be smudges on them. If you do not want this, do not turn the can over
Step 5. Wait for excess paint to drain
The waiting time depends on the size of the can, the amount and thickness of the paint. The paint can drain for two minutes or several hours.
If you left blanks, skip this step. It's okay if excess paint remains in the can. You just have a slightly thicker layer of paint on the bottom
Step 6. Turn the jar to the bottom
Excess paint can be wiped off the neck with a damp cloth. If a piece of paper towel sticks to the neck, scrape it off with your fingernail or nail file. If you inadvertently scrape some paint off the neck, paint over the gaps with a brush.
Step 7. Wait for the paint to dry
Most acrylic paints take about 20 minutes to dry, but in this case the drying time can be extended due to the large amount of paint. If you bought acrylic enamel, you need to give it time to set. Read the instructions for use carefully.
Step 8. Add a second color if desired
Follow the same steps to add a second color. If you did not leave unpainted areas, the first coat of paint will be visible on the outside, and the second only on the inside. If you have left gaps, a different color will fill in, and the can will be two-tone on the outside.
Step 9. Use the jar at your discretion, but do not allow moisture to get inside
Do not fill the jar with water, otherwise the paint will wash off. Place only dry or artificial flowers in the jar.
Method 3 of 4: Try other paint options
Step 1. Before painting, paint patterns on the jar with hot glue
First, clean the jar of dirt, and then draw the patterns. Wait for the glue to harden, then paint the can, preferably with spray paint. Wait for the paint to dry, then sandpaper or apply sealant if desired.
- You can draw simple patterns such as dots, curls, or hearts. You can also write something like "Love".
- If you don't have hot glue, you can use thickened paint. However, the patterns will be less noticeable, moreover, the paint will take longer to dry.
Step 2. Decorate the jar with painted patterns using a brush
Apply acrylic paint in one coat. If you apply a second coat, the outlines of the patterns may be blurry and uneven. Try to apply the paint in a thin layer. Due to this, the patterns will look translucent on the painted background, which will give your product a sophisticated look.
Print the picture you like and tape it to the inside of the jar. Describe the jar by tracing the image, then remove the image
Step 3. Use self-adhesive stencils to draw the finished pattern
Wash the jar from dirt and dry with a towel, then stick the stencil. Apply 2-3 coats of acrylic paint to the stencil using a round foam brush. Peel off the stencil and wait for the paint to dry. Cover the drawing with sealant, if desired.
If you paint with a regular brush, use the excess paint left over the edges of the stencil to paint over the pattern
Step 4. Use self-adhesive figures to create a reverse stencil effect
Clean the jar from dirt. Cut the figures out of self-adhesive paper and stick them on the jar (make sure that the paper does not wrinkle). Apply 2-3 coats of acrylic paint to the jar, letting each coat dry. Peel off the figures and paint over the areas where the paint has peeled off with a spray can or a brush.
- If you want to apply a sealant to the jar, do so before removing the figurines.
- Do not apply paint to the figures themselves so that as little paint as possible peels off when they are removed.
- Draw the figures on paper by hand or use stencils.
Step 5. Paint the jar with chalkboard effect paint to draw different designs on it
You can paint the jar with chalkboard effect paint in its entirety, or apply paint using a stencil or self-adhesive figures. Wait for the paint to dry. It will take several days. Try out the finished cover: write something on the jar with chalk and erase the test drawing. Now you can draw pictures or write on the jar.
If you want to change the color of the can, paint over the chalkboard effect paint with acrylic paint and let it dry. Go over the bumps with sandpaper. In these places, a black layer will show through, which will give the jar an interesting look
Step 6. If you are short on time, paint the can with spray paint
Clean the jar and place it upside down on a newspaper in a well-ventilated area. Apply the paint in a thin layer, holding the can at a distance of 30 cm from the can. Wait for the paint to dry and apply a second coat if necessary. Then cover the jar with a glossy, matte, or semi-matte sealant.
- In warm weather, the paint dries, as a rule, 30 minutes, and in cold weather - 60 minutes.
- If you've used spray paint, handle the cans with care. The paint can be easily scraped off or scratched.
Method 4 of 4: Decorate a painted jar
Step 1. Draw patterns
Use a thin brush. If you want to paint polka dots, use a round foam brush. You can also glue the stencil with tape and apply a pattern.
Step 2. Use decoupage glue to decorate the jar with glitter
Paint the jar and wait for the paint to dry. Take a regular or foam brush with a width of 25 mm and apply one layer of decoupage glue to a third or a quarter of the bottom of the can. Insert your hand into the jar and twist it, sprinkling glitter over the glue-covered area. Shake off excess glitter, place the jar upside down and leave to dry. If desired, apply a glossy sealant over the glitter.
- If you've painted the jar with a brush, you can wrap a piece of duct tape around the jar to keep the glue line smoother. Peel off the tape before the glue dries.
- Do not stick the tape on the spray-painted can - some of the paint may peel off when the tape is removed.
Step 3. Tie decorative tape
If you want to give your craft a vintage look, tie a raffia or jute rope. The tape can be tied around the middle of the can or around the neck. If you painted the jar using a stencil or self-adhesive paper figures, do not tie the tape in the middle to keep the design in plain sight.
Step 4. Pour vase filler into the jar, if desired
It will look beautiful in a reverse stencil jar, but it can also be used for a jar decorated with designs or patterns. Add enough filler to be visible through the holes of the reverse stencil. If you used a regular stencil, fill the jar as much as you want.
Glass balls or colored sand are great fillers. Vase filler is sold at flower and home decor stores
Advice
- Before painting the jar, it must be cleaned of dirt, otherwise the paint will not adhere well.
- If you are unable to scrape off the label, immerse the jar in warm water and scrub again.
- Some craftsmen recommend covering the surface of the can with a primer before painting.
- Also cans can be covered with a tinting coating.
- The painting methods discussed above can be used when painting other glass objects.
Warnings
- Do not put cans that are painted on the outside in the water.
- Do not pour water into painted cans.