DecoArt - Glass Paint Education

Prepping Glass and Ceramic Surfaces

CLEAN THE SURFACE

Before painting, wash the glass in hot soapy water using a soft dishcloth. Price labels and stickers usually remove easily when soaked in hot water. Rinse any soap residue away with warm or hot water, then dry the piece with a soft, lint-free cloth or paper towel.

AVOID FINGERPRINTS

Handle glass carefully to keep it free of fingerprints, and use rubbing alcohol and a paper towel to remove any prints or smudges.

Correcting Mistakes

WET PAINT

When the paint is still wet, clean up imperfections in small areas using a wet brush, toothpick, or paper towel to gently wipe off the excess wet paint. To remove all wet paint from a surface, soak the item in warm water.

DRY PAINT

When paint has dried, Use a razor blade to carefully scrape or trim off imperfections.

Baking for a Durable Finish

For a durable, dishwasher-safe finish, bake your finished oven-safe piece to cure the paint.

STEPS FOR BAKING

Follow these general directions for baking glass paint products, but be sure to consult the individual product pages for specific curing and baking instructions.

Place piece on a cookie sheet and put into a cold oven.
Heat oven to the appropriate temperature, according to package directions.
Bake for 30 minutes.
Turn the oven off, open the door slighly, and leave the piece inside until the oven is completely cool.

TIP: If you are combining two glass paint products with different baking times and temperatures, always use the lower temperature and time.

Keep paint away from food surfaces and the areas that will come in contact with your mouth. Although the paint is non-toxic, you still don't want to ingest it. You can paint on the opposite side of clear glass plates to avoid any issues.

Using Glass Painting Brushes

USE A LIGHT TOUCH

Try not to apply too much pressure with the tip of the brush. Pushing down too hard will cause the paint to wipe off the slippery surface of the glass. Instead, use a light touch and allow the paint to flow off the brush, creating a pool of color. This allows you to create thicker, more solid coverage in one step. If you do need a second coat, make sure to let it dry completely first.

AVOID OVERWORKING PAINT

Don't re-stroke wet paint areas too much, or you will end up removing the paint from the glass. Get in and get out of the area.

DRY BRUSHES WELL

Always blot your brush on a paper towel to dry it after rinsing in water. You don't want excess water to remain in the brush while painting.

CHOOSE BRUSHES CAREFULLY

All types of brushes can be used for glass painting, but can provide different results. Synthetic brushes tend to create visible brushstrokes. Soft, natural-hair brushes allow for more paint to be applied in one stroke, creating smoother coverage.