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How to Paint a Glass Vase

Clear glass vases are cheap. They come in all styles and sizes, and they are often obtained with florist bouquets. Although florists offer quality vases, the cheap glass varieties are often used to keep costs down while helping make flowers affordable for all. Many people keep these cheap clear vases for holding cut flowers from the garden. After all, any type of vase is worth saving and reusing. They can also be decorated in creative new ways. It is possible to paint a cheap vase with colored medium especially for glass. Although it is easy, it is not as simple as coating the surface. Use the following easy method to paint a clear vase, and transform a cheap bottle or container into a colorful vase that looks far more expensive than it really was.

Precautionary Statement

Follow product label instructions on glass conditioner and specialty glass paint before painting a vase. The conditioner contains rubbing alcohol and is highly flammable. Consult the directions included with the products to obtain the best results.

Necessary Supplies

To paint a glass vase it is necessary to use glass conditioner. Also required is a medium especially formulated for glass, a microfiber cloth, hot soapy water, and plenty of paper towels.

How to Prepare a Glass Container Before Painting

Begin by washing and drying the container with hot soapy water. Rinse it under very warm water, and dry it thoroughly with a lint-free microfiber cloth. If the interior might still contain the smallest amount of moisture, allow it to air dry.

Next, apply glass conditioner to the inside of the clean dry vase or bottle before painting. This is a very important step. Simply pour a small amount in the bottom, and turn the container in various directions until it is completely coated. Pour out the excess conditioner, and allow it to air-dry. It is also important to embellish the vase within one hour of applying the conditioner.

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Painting the Glass Container

It is a common assumption that a vase would be painted on the exterior, but a clear vase will look best when the paint is applied on the inside. Small runs, drips, and slight imperfections will not be nearly as noticeable, and the colored finish will look smooth and glossy.

The easiest way to accomplish this is by squirting the specially formulated paint into the bottom of a clean dry conditioned glass vase or glass bottle. Turn the container over and over until the entire inside surface is coated with paint. It does not matter if the paint is thicker in some locations.

The paint will continue thinning out, and it will become even smoother as it runs down the sides of the glass vase. To keep the paint from collecting in the bottom of the vase, turn it upside down over layers of paper towels. Pick it up occasionally and move it to a clean location until the paint stops running out. This will result in translucent smooth paint color that will look absolutely fantastic. The finished glass will appear as if it had been manufactured with color, and no one will guess it was embellished with paint.