DIY: Painting Glass Bottles & Jars

Decorating home with colourful bottles is an easy and inexpensive way. They can create drama and add life to your home décor. But we don’t get colourful bottles that easily. But nothing can stop us; we can make our own colourful bottles. I hoard glass bottles. The size and shape of bottle doesn’t matter, I hoard whatever I get. And those who are not new at When Creative Juices Flow are aware of what I do with them and how I give a new life to them. 

Before few days I got a request to make a post on how to paint glass bottles, but sorry I took so long to share this post. Though I am not an expert, still making a post on it *smile*

Glass bottles and jars can be painted by using different type of colors and following different methods like

1- By using acrylic colour

2- By using oil base paint and brush

3- By using glass colour

4- By pouring oil base paint

5- By using spray paint

6- By applying chalk board paint

7- By using food colour, modge podge

…..and even many more methods are there.

I have tried my hand with all these methods, except the last one method. But I mainly use the first two methods as they have always given me the best results, as expected. Whatever method we follow first step is always wash, scrub the labels (soak them overnight), clean and dry them.

1- By using acrylic colour

The items we require in this method are

· Glass bottle/jar

· Acrylic paint

· Paint brush

· Varnish or touchwood

On the above bottle I have tried to make a Pattachitra painting and all colours used are acrylic colours. 

Method:

Acrylic colours are hard to clean, so I always line my work area with newspapers. Take generous amount of acrylic paint and apply directly on the clean and dry glass bottle. Move of the paint brush should be in one direction and as smooth as possible, to avoid streaks. We can apply multiple coat of paint also. If not happy with the result it can be washed at this step. If satisfied with the result leave it to dry for two three hours. After this I love to add a coat of varnish on the bottle. It gives a glossy look and a protective finish without affecting the original colour of the bottle. Allow the varnish to dry (around 3-4 hours). Then you can do any design on the bottles, by using again acrylic paint or can even try decoupage on it. After making the designs again apply a coat of varnish.

2- By using oil base paint and brush

Items required are

· Glass bottle/jar

· Oil base paint

· Paint brush

My checker board printed bottle using oil base paint and permanent marker.

Method: 

Painting bottles with oil base paint is same as acrylic paint. But it takes comparatively more time to dry (around 12 hours). But there is no need not coat it with Varnish, as oil paints itself gives a glossy look and are waterproof. Once the paint dries can make any designs using acrylic paint, follow decoupage and even make designs & patterns using permanent marker. 

[Note: Oil base paints are even harder to clean than acrylic colours. So first line your work area with newspapers, even be careful about your hands. If colour spills or anything happens like that clean it first immediately with a dry waste cloth and then wash the area with soap of detergent. If still see the stains of the colour use thinner or kerosene. Nail polish remover also works.]

3- By using glass colour

The items we require in this method are

· Glass bottle/jar

· Glass colour

· Foam brush

My glass painted bottles. You can see some patterns made on the bottles, will show how to make those in another post.

Method:

Steps are completely same as painting with acrylic paint, but only thing is use foam brush. Avoid using normal paint brush as it will give you lots of streak marks and not give a smooth finish. We can apply multiple coat of glass colour to get the desired shade.If not happy with the result it can be washed easily at any time, even after drying. From my personal experience I have found that the bottles painted in glass colour are not washable and can be cleaned with a dry cloth. But we can fill water in it (avoid spilling) and keep fresh flowers in it.

[Can make designs on the bottle first by using glass colour outliner and then filling the designs with colour also.]

4- By pouring oil base paint

Items required are

· Glass bottle/jar

· Oil base paint

In the above bottle I have poured in oil base paint inside the bottle and have painted a face of Kathakali dancer by using acrylic paint on the bottle. 

Method:

Pour in sufficient amount of colour inside the bottle or jar. Move the bottle in such way that paint will cover all sides properly. Once all the sides covered properly pour out the excess colour again back into the colour tin. Let the bottle to dry for 24 hours. This is the easiest method, but it requires more quantity of paint in comparison to other methods. Another demerit is you cannot add water and keep fresh flowers in it. Oil base colours are water resistant. But in this method as we have applied the paint inside the bottle, so if we will keep water in it for long time and use it as a flower vase, the paint may come out.

5- Spray paint

Items required are

· Glass bottle/jar

· Spray paint ( It was not easily available in nearby market, so I got it from amazon.in)

· Gloves (optional)

· Washi tapes (optional, only if you want to make any deigns or patterns)

A spray painted bottle and some deigns are made by using decoupage technique along acrylic colour. 

Method:

Choose an open area for doing spray paint (I do it in my balcony) and then cover your work area with newspaper or plastic sheet. For me it is always convenient to use the floor as my work area, so first I cover the floor with newspaper. If you want to make any deigns or patterns cover the bottle with wish tape accordingly. Then spray paint the bottle. Leave it to dry for 3-4 hours. Then carefully remove the washi tapes. I love to apply spray paint as base quote and then make designs with acrylic paint.

6- By applying chalk board paint

Items required are

· Glass bottle/jar

· Chalk board paint (how to make your own chalk board paint visit my earlier post)

If you want to make a personalized bottle where you can write messages or quotes according to situation and occasion chalk board painted bottles are best for it. 

Method:

To find the detail tutorial please click here. 

7- By using food colour, mod podge

Bottles can be painted by using food colour and mod podge in two methods, by baking in oven and without oven. But I have not yet tried any of these two methods. Before few days came across this picture on google. It stole my heart, isn’t it a breath taking beauty. So thought of sharing it here. Please visit the site for detail tutorial.

(Image Source: homedeco50)

Hope this post will help you to beautify your glass bottles and jars, that you usually through away. It will be a great motivation if you will give a feedback after trying any of these methods.

Some of my art bottles....