Five Great Tips for Painting on Glass

Painting on glass can transform everyday items into works of art. You can enliven those windows by painting glass window hangings. Your run-of-the-mill wine glasses can really please the eye. Those boring water glasses can shine creatively.

Five Great Tips for Painting on Glass

• Start with clean, dry glass. After washing and drying the glass with warm water and soap or warm water and vinegar, wipe the glass down with rubbing alcohol to get rid of any remaining contaminants. To be super safe, wear latex gloves when you handle the glass after the glass has been cleaned. No matter how "clean" your hands are, you still can leave natural oils on your glass that can affect the glass's surface.
• Don't paint any areas on glassware or glass tableware that will come into contact with your food or beverages.
• Stay within the same paint family. If you mix paint manufacturers, you may not be happy with the results.
• In order for your paint to adhere permanently to glass, the paint can be baked onto the glass. Start with a cold oven; do not preheat. Put your glass into the oven and then turn the oven on to the temperature that your paint manufacturer has suggested. After baking your glass for the required time, turn the oven off. When the oven is cool, you can remove your glass.
• If you don't want to or can't bake your glass, you have alternatives. There are chemicals that you can buy that will chemically alter or etch the glass so that paint will stick permanently. Ask for a chemical etching product for glass at your local crafts store. Follow the product's instructions carefully. In addition, you can find paints that will cure over a period of time that do not require heat.

Painting on glass can bring more beauty into your home. In addition, painted glass can make terrific gifts for family and friends.