There are many glass paints available on the market today, and we all have specific preferences. We choose to test 3 different brands on the market today and tell you what we think.
Which Brand of Glass Paint is BEST?
Pebeo Vitrea 160 Series are part of a new generation of thermo-hardening, transparent, non-toxic, water-based paints specifically designed for glass use. Vitrea 160 can be applied to glassware, vases, lamps, and even an entire window surface. The Vitrea 160 line includes frosted paints for an etched-glass look and mediums that allow for the reproduction of crackled, iridescent, and frosted glass effects.
Martha Stewart Glass Paints are specially formulated, high-performance premium paints are permanent (bake or air dry), dishwasher safe, indoor/outdoor/UV, and weather resistant. Tack-free and excellent lightfastness formulated for extra adhesion on glass and non-porous surfaces. All glass paint bottles have a built-in fine tip top. Paint is dispersed through the cap. However, you can use paintbrushes, silkscreens, stencils, and paintable clings to create different effects and textures. One hundred twenty colors of glass paints are available in 7 finishes, from frost to metallic and pearl to glitter.
Liquitex Glossies Enamels are water-based acrylic enamels formulated to adhere to slick, non-porous materials such as glass, tiles, glazed ceramics, stoneware, china, enamelware, primed metal, wood, and other non-oily surfaces.
All of these paints have an excellent color range. However, not all colors appear the same once applied to the surface. A true-color chart painted on a sample piece of glass at the point of purchase helps select a color scheme, but this is not available at most craft retail stores, nor if you buy online can you see this.
Transparency
Liquitex Glossies and Martha Stewart Glass paints can be found in both opaque colors and transparent colors. If the desired result is a painted effect, opaque colors offer solid color that light does not pass through. Suppose the desired outcome is the look of actual colored glass or fused glass. All brands Pebeo Vitrea, Martha Stewart Glass, and Liquitex Glossies, allow light to pass through. One difference, Pebeo Vitrea is resin-based paint that offers a line of brilliant transparent colors available in glossy and frosted shades.
Permanence
Adhesion and durability are essential for pieces such as wine glasses, plates, and water pitchers. These items must be painted with paints that can withstand frequent dishwashing as well as microwave use. Paints that have been baked are more durable. If the selected piece is cleaned frequently in the dishwasher - bake on color such as Pebeo's Vitrea 160 will be the most durable. If the article is for decorative purposes only, then air dry paint such as Liquitex Glossies will work fine, but Liquitex can be baked to increase durability.
Price
The glass paints vary in price from store to store and product to product. Glass paints will last a long time since very little paint is used on each piece because glass is a non-porous surface. These three paints are all a good value for the money! When selecting the paint, choose the brand according to your desired performance and durability and remember, "you get what you pay for."
Simplicity of Application
All glass paints can be applied with a brush, sponge, or stamp to obtain the desired pattern or design. If you need some help with a design, place a paper pattern on the inside of the glass and follow along by painting on the outside of the glass. For more straightforward applications, there are stencils and transfers available as well.
For even easier application, there are now glass paint markers available. Pebeo's Vitrea 160 line offers 18 markers (9 glossy colors and nine frosted colors). These bullet tip markers are great for detail work, writing, and quick projects. Markers are great for beginners or children. I also recently read on someone's Pinterest account that you can use a Sharpie marker and back at 350, and it will be permanent and dishwasher safe.
The oven bake directions for all of these paint brands are the same. After your painted piece is fully dry, place your item in a cold oven. Set the oven temperature to 350°F - once it comes up to temperature, then set the oven timer for 30 minutes. After baking for 30 minutes, allow it to cool completely before removing it from the oven. Do not open the oven door to cool faster. It is best to wait 72 hours after curing before using your painted piece.
Painted bottles for us have been very popular with the gift shops. There are also beautiful wine glasses we have seen offered in "high-end" gift stores. Select some glass paints and paint some glass today!
Product Overview
What do we recommend - well, we have used them all, and we like the consistency and the way the Martha Stewart Glass brand works for us. But we have always used the Pebeo Vitrea 160 with a mixture of the Pebeo Vitrea 150 to make some color opaque. The PebeoVitrea 150 liner is what we like best for outlining our whimsical Dazzling Diva platters.
