NC Florida News

Alachua County Library District issued the following announcement.

Not only is glass and ceramic painting fun, it is also easy for beginners. This blog will provide you with instructions on how to prepare a glass or ceramic surface for painting along with tips and techniques for painting on it. We will also cover important curing and care instructions.

Supplies Needed for Painting Glass and Ceramic

• Clean glassware and/or ceramic ware
• Rubbing alcohol or white vinegar
• Mild soap and water
• Your choice of acrylic paint that is suited for glass and ceramic. You may also invest in acrylic paint markers and save on having to purchase brushes for your project. These markers can be found online and in-store and you can buy large, regular, and fine point ones to suit your needs.
• Foam plate or palette
• Brush basin
• Soft bristle brushes, foam daubers
• Paper towels

Preparing your Glass or Ceramic Surface for Painting

1. First, wash the glass or ceramic thoroughly with warm, soapy water to remove dirt, dust, and grease film
2. Next, rinse the glass/ceramic in warm water and let dry completely.
3. Dampen a paper towel with rubbing alcohol or white vinegar and wipe stemware to ensure it is clean of any remaining soap film. Let it air dry for up to 15 minutes.
4. The surface is now ready to paint.
5. Remember, if you make any mistakes on your project, you can always fix them by dabbing a bit of alcohol or vinegar to the area to blot out and correct.
6. Once you have painted your project, allow it to dry for at least 24 hours before curing.

How to Cure and Care for a Painted Glass or Ceramic Project

1. To cure, place project in a cool oven, as the glass and/or ceramic must heat gradually with the oven to avoid breakage; do not place glass or ceramic in a hot oven.
2. Set oven temperature to 350F/180C.
3. Once the temperature has reached 350F/180C, allow the project to bake for 30 minutes.
4. After baking, turn the oven off and let the project cool down completely before removing it.
5. Cured surfaces can be safely washed three days after baking. While it is possible to safely clean projects on the top rack of a dishwasher, it is best to hand wash the item. Do not soak the painted item.
6. Painted glass and ceramic objects are not microwave safe.

 And that’s it! You now have your very own hand-painted glass or ceramic. For more DIY projects check out our eSource CreativeBug. You can also check out our collection for books on DIY projects, gardening, and more.

Original source can be found here.