Can You Spray Paint Glass?: What Spray Paint to use

Can you spray paint glass? Yes, you can.

If you are looking forward to painting your glass, the spray is an affordable and convenient choice.

Glass spraying is one of the common home decor crafts to keep your home appealing.

You can spray paint glass using paint explicitly made for glass-like acrylic, enamel, and oil paints.

Painting glasses help give a new and different look, especially if they are old.

In this guide, I will be discussing spray paints that can be used on glasses and how to do it.

What Kind Of Paint To Use On Glass

Painting glass can be tricky at times due to the surface smoothness.

You have to avoid drips and easy peeling in the future that why it is important to choose good quality paint.

There are certain spray paints that work great on glass.

Spray painting is better than brush painting to avoid mess and non-uniform brush strokes.

What you’ve to do is aim, then fire away from the spray paint at a distance.

Most paint will work on your glass if all you need is painted glass. However, to get a unique appearance to the glass, go for a glass-compatible spray like acrylic, enamel among others

Regular spray paint

Regular spray paints will be good on glass if your goal is to give it solid shades.

If you want a smoother surface when painting, you can start by using a primer on the glass surface.

The primer gives a durable coat on the brighter side, and the paint will not chip off fast.

Also, read on the best primer to cover drywall imperfections.

Acrylic paint

It is applied on crystal, plastic, and also glass.

Acrylic spray paint gives the glass a transparent shade making it look like stained glass.

On the downside is that you’ve to place it inside the oven for some time for the paint to cure.

On the brighter side, the painted piece will have an excellent look that is easy to clean.

Enamel Paint

Enamel spray paint works well on glass since it is designed to be used on smooth surfaces like ceramics, metal, and glass.

There are both opaque and transparent enamel spray paints to choose from.

The opaque spray gives the glass a stained appearance that changes shade depending on the color of the liquid you’ve filled it with.

Both opaque and transparent paints can dry themselves in a place with good air circulation.

If you go for oil-based enamel, be patient enough to wait for 8 to 24 hours for the paint to dry.

Oil Paint

This is not a common choice for most painters due to its toxic nature.

When this paint is inhaled in large quantities, it can cause poisoning.

However, if you take safety precautions like wearing gloves and a mask, you will be safe.

On the brighter side, it’s a great choice if you are looking for a colorful shade with a glossy finish.

After drying, you can run the glass through the water while cleaning without worrying.

Steps On How To Spray Paint Glass

There are a few steps to follow when spray painting a glass.

The steps matter a lot and will determine the final results on your piece of glass.

Step 1: Clean the Glass

To ensure that the paint sticks on the glass, it is important to clean it before painting.

Wash the piece with water even if there is no visible dirt. Washing removes film or any tiny debris that may be on the glass surface.

Rinse or wipe the glass with vinegar or alcohol to remove any remaining debris on the glass.

Clean all the areas, even the ones you’re not planning to paint.

Prepare Your Space

After cleaning the glass, prepare the space where you are planning to do the painting.

Always ensure the space is well ventilated for better results.

If outdoors, the areas should not have a strong wind; otherwise, you’ll end up inhaling the spray fumes.

Place a box or pieces of paper on the area you will be working on to ease the cleaning process.

Prepare the paint

By now, your glass is clean and dry, and you have a conducive space for your painting.

Shake the spray can for a couple of minutes, then spray it on a flat surface to check for any patches.

This helps to ensure that the paint is smooth before using it on the glass.

Spray the Glass

If the spray is smooth with no patches, you can start spraying the first thin layer on the glass if you don’t have primer.

A good and smooth base greatly affects the final results after spray painting.

Allow the thin layer to dry before adding the next one.

Always ensure the paint can is at least 10 inches away from the glass and use a sweeping motion to spray.

If you are using a transparent spray, you will require around 2 layers, while you will need at least 4 layers for opaque.

Always remember to allow each layer coat to dry before adding the next one.

What To Keep In Mind When Spray Painting Glass

• The spray-painted glass surfaces do not last forever

As much spray painting is easy and cheap, it tends to chip off over time.

Always handle the sprayed glasses with care and place them somewhere they are not frequently moved or used.

For more durability, you can use craft paint that is uniquely designed for glass.

They cure to give a hard and chip-resistant finish that can serve for long.

On the contrary, most of these craft paints need to be brushed on the glass, which gives a slightly different appearance than a sprayed one.

• Do not paint areas that come in contact with food.

If you are not spraying the glass for decorative purposes, ensure you don’t paint areas that come in contact with food.

Over time, the paint can chip and mix with the food.

Before using any paint, read the guidance and precautions to determine whether the paint is safe in food.

Note that non-toxic does not mean that the paint is food-safe.

• Do not put the glass in the dishwasher

Since the spray paint is not very rigid, it is not able to withstand the scrubbing and heat of a dishwasher.

If the glass is for decorative purposes, dust it or wipe it with a damp cloth. And in case you really have to wash it, be extra careful.

Final Thoughts On Can You Spray Paint Glass

Can you spray paint glass? Yes, you can.

Always remember that the steps of painting glass are more important than the type of paint you use.

For durability, go for paints that are specifically designed for glasses.

Keep the painted glasses in areas that are not mostly used to avoid moving them.

This will ensure the paint serves you longer.