DIY Waterproof Painted Vases

Anyone else out there been seriously craving some color lately? I’m completely over the single digit weather and mountains of snow and am yearning for spring to make an appearance. Realistically speaking, that isn’t happening anytime soon. Let’s be honest, spring won’t be making an appearance in these parts until probably April. But some fresh flowers in a colorful vase can certainly help me pretend otherwise.

I’ve always liked the look of vases painted on the inside. The problem with this method is that when you paint the inside of a vase, you generally can’t fill it with water. And therefore can’t use it to hold fresh flowers. When I stumbled onto this method on Sand & Sisal, I simply had to give it a try.

Luckily, I had some nailpolish remover on hand and a small bottle of bright pink craft paint just waiting to be used.  I’ve had this plain glass vase from the dollar store laying around forever, which would be perfect for a little paint experiment!

DIY Waterproof Painted Vases - Tulips & A Terrier

Combine approximately 1 tablespoon of each nailpolish remover and craft paint in a plastic cup and mix well. The consistency should feel like a very thinned out paint.

DIY Waterproof Painted Vases - Tulips & A Terrier

Pour mixture into vase and swirl around to coat. I would recommend holding a couple of paper towels over the opening of the vase as you do this. I’ve had a few instances where I was so focused on coating a specific spot and didn’t notice the paint come pouring out. I also attempted to tape off the top of the vase as I’m quite the messy painter, but if you don’t have this issue feel free to skip this step.

DIY Waterproof Painted Vases - Tulips & A Terrier

Once the inside of your vase is coated, pour the excess back into the cup and hold your vase upside down for a minute or two over the cup to drain out additional excess paint.

DIY Waterproof Painted Vases - Tulips & A Terrier

I let it dry upside down on a paper towel for about 20 minutes to drain a little more of the excess and then turned it right side up and let dry overnight. I decided to add some polka dots because, well, why not?

DIY Waterproof Painted Vases - Tulips & A Terrier

I used the same method as the gold polka dot mugs, but instead of a sharpie I used Martha Stewart glass paint in gold and foam pouncers. You then need to cure the paint to make it waterproof. I baked mine at 300 degrees for two hours. You need to put the vase in a cold oven and allow it to heat up with the oven. Luckily, it didn’t explode or anything.

DIY Waterproof Painted Vases - Tulips & A Terrier

I tested it out the following day with some water and fresh tulips, and the paint stayed in tact! I’m so excited it worked! I have a couple of more dollar store vases that could use some brightening up with paint!

What do you guys think? I’m so in love with the polka dots, I’m thinking of making a second with polka dots only (sans paint).

15 thoughts on “DIY Waterproof Painted Vases

    1. Lusine Post author

      Right?! Rinsed it out and all, and it’s stayed in tact! One thing I would add is to use it on vases with a wide-ish opening to allow the paint to dry (meaning, it did not work well with wine bottles, the paint just streaked the inside).

    1. Lusine Post author

      Hi Emily! I’ve only tried it with Craft Smart, but have seen it done using other brands such as Martha Stewart’s multi surface paint, so I’m inclined to say yes. But, if you want to be sure, you can always test the process on an old jar to be sure!

  1. Lisa-Lin

    Pretty in pink vase, you have!! Just discovered the nail polish removed method and love the look of my vase. No brush streaks! I need to bake it–however, I used Americana Enamel paint (LOVE this stuff), the directions say to bake for 30 mins. Going to give it a shot to see what happens. I don’t want to blow up my kitchen either πŸ™‚
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    1. Lusine Post author

      Thanks so much, Lisa-Lin!! I’m so glad you like the way your vase turned out! Best of luck with not blowing up your kitchen πŸ™‚

    1. Lusine Post author

      Hi Megan! I think the technique should work with a mason jar just as well as a glass vase, but to be honest I haven’t put the vases in a dishwasher! You could add a layer of polyacrylic to seal the paint if you want to be on the safe side! πŸ™‚

  2. Kathy

    Hi I am wondering if you have used this vase multiple times over the last few years and how the paint has held up with repeated water use. It is very pretty I love the pink. I am going to try this.

    Thanks

    1. Lusine Post author

      Hi Kathy,
      I’ve used it a fair amount, and the paint is still in tact! Let me know how it comes out! πŸ™‚

  3. Marlene Nguyen

    So how did the flowers do? I mean did the paint affect them? Do you feel they died quicker than normal?

    1. Lusine Post author

      Hi Marlene! To be honest, I didn’t really monitor it that closely but no noticeable difference to me. Let me know if you experience otherwise!

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