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How to Paint Mercury Glass Look!

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How to Paint Mercury Glass Look

I’ve been wanting to try Krylon’s Looking Glass Spray Paint for years now, and after searching all over, I finally found some on Amazon! The first time I saw this stuff it was on Carol Duval’s show on HGTV, so that tells you how long I’ve been wanting to try it! Do you guys remember that show? I miss seeing Carol on TV, and all her wonderful projects!

How to Paint Mercury Glass Look Pinterest Graphic

Vintage Clear Glass Bowls

During our town wide Yard Sale, I picked up these two patterned (faceted) glass bowls, both for under $5.00 each. Wahoo! Love that price! What’s great about these pieces is that they have wide openings, and the base is hollow, perfect for “Mercurizing”, as I like to call it!

Krylon Looking Glass Paint

Here it is. The magical can of “Mercurizing” spray, also known as Krylon Looking Glass Spray Paint.

Spraying Looking Glass Paint on Glass Bowl

Safety Note: You need to work in a well ventilated area, like outside, or in the garage with the door open like I did. I wore gloves and safety goggles too, just to be safe … safety is good people!  Make sure you shake the can well, about 2 minutes should do it, and then spray your glassware. I did about 4 – 5 coats. I didn’t do anything special here, just sprayed, let dry a few minutes and sprayed again and that was it! That’s the beauty of using the patterned glass, you won’t need to do any special aging techniques on these.

How to paint Mercury Glass Look finished Bowls

See what I mean, they have the perfect luster to them!
Silver painted glass bowls on display
Now you can fill them with what ever you like… sparkly things look especially nice!
Painted Glass Bowls with Ornaments

 

I hope you enjoyed learning How to Paint a Mercury glass look and that you’ll give it a try, it was super fun and easy. These types of bowls can often be found in thrift shops and flea markets, so they shouldn’t be too hard to find. You can find more info about this product, along with other project ideas, on the Krylon web site.

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Comments

  1. LoLetta Pasley says

    I love this! Did you just paint the outside of the bowls? Then it would still be safe for foods. I also miss Carol & Decorating Cents & also Kitty Bartholomews show (can’t remember the name)Hope my WalMart has this! Thanks so much!

    • Karen Watson says

      Hi LoLetta, I just sprayed the inside, that way it looks more like the real deal! I wouldn’t put it food on it, unless it was something wrapped, like candy. And yes Kitty Bartholomew, I forgot all about her, she was awesome!!

    • Karen Watson says

      Yes, Decorating Cents, that was another good one! You are right about the Real Estate, I do like some of those too, but I think they need to mix it up more with the DIY and crafting!

  5. Debbie says

    I too have been looking for years for this. ( and I do remember Carol Duvol) Every time I go to any store that carries spray paint – I look! Guess that tells you how long it’s been since I have been in Walmart! Yay! Hope mine has it too! I just saw this post on Pinterest. (I follow you) Thank you!

    ~Debbie from Mermaids of the Lake and Color My Bliss.

  8. Anonymous says

    They are gorgeous but unfortunately for Canadians, doing this craft is an impossibility as Krylon looking glass paint is a discontinued item (I spoke directly to krylon)and is unavailable in Canada. There are still a few stores in United States that have stock but once it is gone, there will be no more. So I suggest if you can find it, grab it up while you can. I have been searching in Canada for almost 6 months now and have come up empty. Ebay is not an option as they will not ship aerosols across the border. Same with other online stores. None of them will ship to Canada.

    • Karen Watson says

      Oh no! That’s a shame! Well, I will be attending the huge Craft and Hobby Convention this Winter, all of the major craft manufacturers will be there, so I will see if I can find an alternative.

  10. Holy Craft says

    I searched for the looking glass spray for years myself. And yes, I totally remember Carol. I loved watching her during the day…especially if I had a sick day from school!

    I love that you did this to glassware that was more dimensional. It looks lovely.

    • Karen Watson says

      Thanks HC! Woohoo, another Carol Fan! One of the things I loved most about that show, was all the new products that she would introduce, like the Krylon paint, and other things that I had never heard of before. I wish HGTV would create more shows like that.

  11. Mary Insana says

    I’ve done narrow opening vases and I layed them on their side and sprayed into them and when it was dry rolled the vase a half turn and sprayed again and it worked for me. When I sprayed something with a larger opening I sprayed and then while it was still wet(you got to work fast) I took an old toothbrush and tapped it on the wet paint. Gave it a nice mottled pattern not a solid mirror finish. I put my battery operated candles into those vases and you can see the mercury type finish through the light. Mary

  12. Klem says

    Karen,

    Great way to spruce up those often passed up items. I am going to try this on some candle sticks. I am also going to try this on some of the DIY cup cake plates up on the “stand” (I have some pressed glass plates to put on candle stick stands).

  13. Ann says

    i didn’t know krylon made this..how fabulous!!
    the bowls are great !!
    i loved her show!!!! i watched it all the time!!!

  14. Wendi Galczik says

    Would be fabulous for spraying the glass in pretty thrift store frames…giving them a whole new life as decorative mirrors…thanks for the ‘tip’
    I’ll look for this stuff…

  15. Jenn "Rook No. 17" says

    Your bowls turned out beautifully, Karen. I’m totally hooked on Krylon’s Looking Glass Spray. I’ve been giving nearly everything I can get my hands on a faux mercury glass finish!

    • amber says

      Karen,

      I just saw read an article in the christmas BHG magazine and they sprayed the inside of the dry vase (after looking glass application) with 50/50 vinegar/water and blotted it with paper towel then used 2 tsp of modge podge, 2 tbsp of water, and food coloring to sponge brush on the exterior of the glass. It looks really good in the pictures.

      • Tess says

        Food color will fade. If you want it to be more permanent, use a staining transparent watercolor with a good rating (look on the side of a Windsor-Newton tube, the staining and permanence of the color is listed there).

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