Spray Paint the Inside of a Glass Vase

SPRAY PAINTING THE INSIDE OF A GLASS VASE

I've seen lots of projects on the internet showing glass that was hand-painted on the outside or decorated with water-based /acrylic paint rolled around on the inside of glass but none describing how to spray paint the inside of glass. Yep, it's bit messy-mostly due to the mist created by spraying into a confined space. But oh, the results! Especially if you need an unusually shaped or oversized glass vase in a color that is difficult to find in the stores.

PROJECT

1. Your choice of enamel spray paint - I prefer to use Rustoleum brand only
   
2. Glass vase (ribbed or plain)
   
3. Slip resistant gloves
4. Covering for your arms and nose
5. Covering for the surrounding area outside where you are spraying
6. Prep surface by wiping down inside and out with soft cloth and alcohol to remove oils or dirt
   
7. A place for the glass vase to dry undisturbed for several days
8. Glass marbles to support flower stems inside the vase after the paint is completely cured
9. You cannot use water in the vase as long as it is painted.

     

First, I spray painted two ginger jar shaped burgundy ceramic lamps. Then, I went looking for a tall, turquoise/teal glass vase to hold an oversized arrangement of silk flowers for the table. I could find nothing. Either everything was too expensive, not tall enough or not the right color. Enter Rust-Oleum® Universal® Metallic Spray Paint in turquoise, time and patience. The enamel based paint sticks better to glass than water based paint. It grabs and holds on to the surface without chipping or peeling. The glass vase I found was similar to the one next to the title.

When you find a clear, glass vase that you want to spray paint inside with your favorite color, pick a sunny day when there is not too much wind and have at it. Make sure your hands, nose, arms and the surrounding area are covered. I think this spray paint is finer than their other metallic sprays. The coverage is excellent but be warned, there is considerable over spray.

It is best to approach the painting job by dividing the vase into four sections in your mind. Create a base coat starting at the inside bottom. Spray a light coat on the bottom inside, rotating the vase in a quarter turn as you spray, going up about 1/4 or 1/3rd of the way (depending upon the height of your vase). Then, spray paint the middle and finally the top third. Remember to rotate 1/4 turn as you go. The colored spray mist is difficult to see through so, let it clear out before you spray paint each section. Before you do the final coat, make sure you have covered the entire inside by holding the vase up to the sun to see if an area was skipped. Spray all over inside for a total of 3 coats. Depending upon the size of your vase and your speed, it will take one-two hours to get full coverage.

Let it cure for 5-7 days before gently rolling in glass marbles and adding your silk flowers. You will have a beautiful centerpiece vase in the style and color of your choice. 

Final result of the painted ceramic lamp base:

       Final result of the inside painted vase:

When it was fully dried, mine looked so pretty, I grabbed three tulip shaped glass vases which hold smaller arrangements of silk flowers and spray painted them inside as well. Glass marbles hold the flowers in place here as well. Since they are not moved a lot (mostly for cleaning) the paint inside is not stressed and has not rubbed off. 

If you love dark turquoise/light teal you will love this color. I used it to repaint my live Christmas tree stand. And a few teal/turquoise glass Christmas ornaments. Depending on your computer or device monitor, the painted vase and lamps above might not look turquoise but, they are.

This particular metallic paint comes in many lovely colors as shown on the Rustoleum website. Some of which (like this one) must be special ordered in a quantity of six cans. At the time I purchased (2018), turquoise metallic spray paint could only be found online at Menards Hardware store in Ohio. They can special order and ship to you but only a carton of six.  Home Depot can special order (also only a carton) but, they will not ship or deliver; it has to be picked up at the store. If you are an eBay or Etsy seller, list your unused, new paint cans.

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Glass vase image copyright Ebay seller item number: 393499317839. Thanks for visiting I Love Christmas.com holiday decorating blog. Use our Contact Form to request permission to reprint or quote from this article. For more Christmas decorating ideas visit my Christmas blog: https://www.i-love-christmas.com/Christmas-Decorating-Ideas . Get beautiful, handmade glass ornaments, garlands, metal ornament trees, ornament hooks, tabletop Christmas trees, photo ornaments and other holiday decorations at I Love Christmas! https://www.i-love-christmas.com . Note that I assume no liability for the use or misuse of these instructions or those provided by the product manufacturers.