Use Cheap Craft Paint to Turn Glass into Metal

Are you ready to turn glass into metal using craft paint? None of that fancy, expensive stuff, mind you. The cheap stuff you probably already have in your paint stash. And it’s easy to do too. 

It took me just over an hour to transform a glass bottle into a gorgeous metal vase. And that includes drying time.

It’s so perfect for showing off my new, metal arums.

Aren’t they lovely? They’re one of my fav flowers and we’ve shared quite a few craft ideas that involve these exquisite blooms, including this mosaic version and these clay arum lilies.

Today’s tutorial isn’t about arums, though. It’s about turning glass into metal using ordinary craft paint. But before we get there be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or Instagram. And don’t forget to subscribe so you’ll never miss a post!

What you need

• Empty Glass bottle
• Sandpaper (medium grit)
• Mod Podge or clear drying PVA glue
• Sponge
• Clear sealant spray
• Craft paint
  • Black
  • Silver
  • Brown
  • Orange (optional)
  • Blue (optional)

The paint doesn’t have to be from the same manufacturer, as long as they are all water-based.

How to turn glass into metal with craft paint

The trick to giving glass a metallic makeover is layers of paint. This technique uses inexpensive craft paint to create an oxidized, raw metal paint effect. The same technique can be used on other materials including cardboard, plastic and wood.

Prepping the glass

Before you do anything it’s important to prep the surface, which in my case is a glass bottle. Any dirt or grime will affect the final outcome. Wash the glass bottle in hot soapy water and remove any labels. Leave to dry. Using medium-grit sandpaper, lightly sand the bottle.

This step helps roughen up the glass and gives the layers we’ll be adding in a bit something to grip onto.

If you’re giving wood or cardboard a metallic makeover you can skip this step. Wipe the glass with vinegar or rubbing alcohol to remove any sanding dust and oily residue.

Apply two layers of Mod Podge to the bottle, leaving each layer to dry completely. When applying Mod Podge to glass, I prefer using a clean, dry sponge.

It doesn’t leave brush marks and adds a slightly rough texture to the final look.

Pro Tip: If you want a brushed metal texture, use a paintbrush and let the brush strokes show.

Craft paint metallic magic

Now comes the exciting part! Giving the glass bottle a metallic makeover with craft paint. Start off by painting the outside of the bottle black.

Once again, I used a sponge for this step. Check that the entire bottle is covered with black paint. Repeat if you missed a spot.

Allow each coat to dry before applying the next. Water-based craft paint dries really quickly. Next up, gorgeous layers of silver, black and brown. You can add each layer individually or take the easy way out and put big dollops of each color next to each other on a plastic plate. Randomly dip a sponge in the dollops……

….and dab the paint on in a haphazard way.

You don’t want to cover the black completely. Remember it’s all about the layers.

Keep a piece of metal or image handy as a reference. I used my metal arums as a guide.

If the paint starts getting tacky, put it to one side and leave it to dry before adding more layers. To create more depth and interest, mix a teeny bit of blue with black and lightly dab it around the edges or over the curves. It mimics the “temper colors” you normally see on raw metal.

To add rust spots mix brown and orange. For a detailed rust effect tutorial click here. 

Don’t be scared to build up your layers and play around.

The goal is to create a worn and weathered metal effect with loads of texture.

Once you’re happy, and the paint is completely dry, apply a clear spray sealant to protect the metallic makeover and prevent the craft paint from fading over time.

And that’s all there is to it. Easy, right 😀

Have you tried your hand at giving a glass bottle a metallic makeover?

If you want to paint glass to look like metal, don’t forget to pin it for later.

Sharing caring😉

Oh, and if you’re looking for some of the things we used, we’ve got you covered. Disclosure: Clicking on the links below, means we may receive a commission from Amazon. But don’t worry, it won’t come out of your pocket, and it helps us make more amazing crafts to share with you 😉

And if you prefer to buy rather than DIY, then maybe these beauties will appeal.

And as always, wishing you a wonderful, crafty week filled with lots of love. Thank you for popping in for a visit.