You can tint clear glass to make it look like pale sea glass (colored shards of glass on the beach) with a light blue, teal (bluish green), or green color. Whether you want to color your glass jars blue or make your lampholders colorful, staining glass requires only a few ingredients, a few minutes of work, and a little time to dry. You can tint any type of clear glass using water-resistant paint or food coloring. Staining glass with food coloring is cheaper and faster, but the glass should not be wet with liquid.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Coloring Glass with Waterproof Paint
Step 1. Select the clear glass material you want to tint
If you're not experienced in staining glass, a good material to start with is a glass jar. Glass paint can be used to color glass that will get wet (for example, a jar used as a drinking glass). This method also gives permanent results, unlike food coloring. This method cannot be applied to glass surfaces used for eating. However, you can color the opposite side in hand-washable serving trays, teapots, and bottles.
Do this in a well-ventilated area, for example in a garages with open doors or rooms with 2–3 windows open. This is to prevent you from inhaling paint fumes.
Step 2. Wash and dry the glass thoroughly to allow the dye to adhere properly
If possible, clean the glass in the dishwasher. This is to ensure that all dust and dirt is removed before you tint the glass.
- The bottle cleaning brush can reach the inside of the bottle and remove oil and food residue. You can get it online or at a home supply store.
- If you want to color a small bottle that the cleaning brush can't get into, soak the bottle in soapy water before rinsing it.
Step 3. Purchase glass paint in the desired color
Head to a craft or art supply store and check out the available paints. Buy several different colors so you can tint the glass in a variety of colors, unless you only want to use one color. For example, if you want to tint the glass a dark green, buy some other color, such as purple, dark blue, or yellow. You can use a different color to color the inside and outside of the glass, or to color several different colors of the glass.
If you live far from a craft or hobby shop, buy glass paint online. Each bottle of paint is usually sold for around Rp. 70 thousand
Step 4. Purchase a paint lightening medium to use as a paint thinner
Paint lightening media can be found at craft stores, art supply stores, and hobby stores. You can also buy it on the internet. The paint brightening media is sold at a slightly higher price than the paint itself, which is around IDR 140 thousand to IDR 170 thousand.
- Paint lightening media functions as a paint thinner and color lightener.
- In an emergency, use an acetone-based nail polish remover to replace the paint lightening medium. However, acetone tends not to mix well with glass paint, resulting in streaky finishes.
Step 5. Mix the lightening medium and paint in a small plastic bowl
Add 1 tsp. (5 ml) glass paint and 1⁄4 tsp. (1 ml) lightening medium. Use a brush to stir the two ingredients together until well combined. This paint can color 1 standard sized glass jar. Increase the amount of paint and lightening medium if you want to color multiple glass bottles.
- This amount of dye can also be used to color glass vases. If you want to color a large serving tray, try doubling the amount of paint and lightening medium.
- Understand that the dried paint will be lighter in color than when you first applied it. Adjust the amount of lightening medium based on how dark or light you want the final result to be. For example, increase the amount of glass paint and reduce the lightening medium if you want a darker, bolder finish.
Step 6. Use long vertical strokes to color the outside of the glass
If you want to paint the outside of a glass jar (or paint a flat glass surface), use a brush about 5 cm wide. Apply paint to the glass jar in vertical strokes. Each stroke of paint should start at the top and end at the bottom. Rotate the jar by hand as you paint so that the entire exterior surface is evenly coated. Allow the paint to dry for 1 to 2 hours before you re-treat it.
- Painting the outside and inside of the jar makes the color darker than if you only painted the inside. Painting the outside of the jar will produce a thicker color and is suitable for applying to decorative vases that are not handled very often.
- The painting on the outside of the glass makes the surface slightly sticky to the touch. The exterior tint should be applied to glass that will not be used or washed too often. This method can also be applied to glass for food or beverage containers.
Step 7. Pour the paint mixture into the vase or bottle to be colored inside
If you want to paint the inside of a large glass teapot or vase, use a brush to apply the dye evenly around the bottom. Do not apply paint to the sides of the glass at this time.
If you plan to use the glass as a food or drink container, only apply the paint mixture to the bottom or outside of the tray or bottle
Step 8. Roll the paint around the inside of the bottle until the entire area is covered
Tilt the bottle to the side and roll the paint in all directions until the entire inside of the bottle is covered with paint. You can also twist and tilt the bottle or jar to slowly color the inner surface.
If the paint isn't evenly distributed, it means there's too much acetone in it. Add more paint to the jar and mix again
Step 9. Drain off excess paint by inverting the bottle for about 20 minutes
Once all the inside and outside of the bottle, jar, or vase have been coated with the dye, tilt the bottle down to allow excess paint to drip onto newspaper or other disposable items. If you don't want to hold the bottle for 20 to 30 minutes, place the bottle upside down over 2 straws to drain the excess paint.
If you don't do this, the accumulated paint will run to the bottom of the bottle and dry in a puddle of hardened paint
Step 10. Allow the glass to dry for 3-7 days
Glass paint takes a long time to dry. So, place the glass on a shelf in a high garage or kitchen cabinet to dry it. Let the paint dry for at least a week before you pour water on it. If there are pets or children in the house, place the glass in a location out of their reach.
If the jars or glasses you colored are dirty, hand wash them with warm water and a mild detergent. Don't use the dishwasher to clean it because it can make the dye disappear
Method 2 of 2: Coloring Glass Using Food Color
Step 1. Choose clear glass and wash it clean
Glass jars are a popular choice for people who want to color their own glass. This method can also be applied to a flat glass surface, such as a serving tray. Remember, food colored glass is not waterproof. So, do not use glass material that will be used for drinking or flower containers. Wash glass objects by hand or put them in the dishwasher to get the glass completely clean.
When coloring a vase, check the packaging to make sure the material is dishwasher safe. Also make sure the vase is oven safe, as the process requires you to place the glass in the oven
Step 2. Mix food coloring and water in a ramekin (small heat-resistant bowl)
On each ramekin, mix 1 tsp. (5 ml) water with 4 to 5 drops of food coloring. This is enough to color one standard sized glass jar. Experiment with different colors until you find the color you want to tint the glass. Mix at least 3 or 4 different colors with water in a separate ramekin. In this way, you can tint several glasses with different colors, or tint one glass with several colors.
Remember, the color that dries will be lighter than when you first colored the glass. So, go for a darker color than you want, unless you really want to lighten the glass
Step 3. Combine the food coloring mixture with Mod Podge (a type of glue)
Mix 1–2 tbsp. (15–30 m) Thick Mod Podge with food coloring that is inside each ramekin. Mix food coloring and Mod Podge using a 5 cm wide brush. If it is mixed evenly, the mixture will turn out to be runny. If the mixture is too thick so that it cannot be poured from the ramekin, it means that the amount of Mod Podge is too much.
Mod Podge can be found at craft or art supply stores
Step 4. Use a brush to color the inside of the glass
Dip the tip of the brush into the dye mixture, then place the brush into the jar. Use long vertical strokes to color the inside of the jar. Each brush stroke should color the glass from top to bottom. When the paint has run out, dip the brush back into the dye. Apply the dye in a thick, uniform layer on the glass. If you're coloring something other than a jar, select the side you want to color and paint on, then spread the dye mixture onto that side of the glass.
Tip: For a unique visual effect, pour the Mod Podge mixture into a jar and swirl it around. This method produces a non-uniform color with lots of spots on the inside of the jar.
Step 5. Place the jar upside down on the wax paper
Let it sit for about 30 minutes, or until the paint doesn't drip onto the bottom of the glass. Excess dye will build up in the mouth of the jar. When you remove the glass 30 minutes later, wipe off any remaining dye on the rim of the jar with a clean cloth.
If you want to handle a flat glass surface, not a jar or glass, just place the glass face up. Don't worry, the paint won't drip
Step 6. Dry the glass in the oven for 30 minutes
Preheat the oven to 100 °C and place the baking tray on the center rack. Place the stained glass on the tray with the holes down. Cover the oven and let the glass dry for 10 minutes. Ten minutes later, flip the glass over and allow it to dry in the oven for another 20 to 30 minutes.
- To avoid scalding your hands, hold the glass with a heat-resistant pad. When removing it from the oven, place the glass on a coaster or a stone section on the counter to prevent damage to the countertop.
- This glass is not waterproof so you should not wash it later. For this reason, the Mod Podge method is best applied to glass used for decoration.
