Painting glass is not only a popular hobby but also a calling for many professional artists.
The better the quality of the paint that you use for these projects, the better the results are. Of course, the trouble is that there are so many choices out there. How do you know which is best?
We rolled up our sleeves and got to work, testing dozens of options before choosing the absolute best.
Let’s kick things off with our top choices for the best paint for glass. Each one of these selections is easy to use, effective and affordable.
Contents
- 1 10 Best Paints to Use on Glass:
- 1.1 1. Apple Barrel PROMOABI, Assorted Colors
- 1.2 2. Zenacolor Acrylic Paint Set, 24 Tubes
- 1.3 3. FolkArt PROMOGLS16 Enamel Glass Painting Set
- 1.4 4. Magicdo Stained Glass Paint with Palette
- 1.5 5. Plaid Gallery Glass Window Color Value Paint Set
- 1.6 6. DecoArt Americana Gloss Enamels, 34 Color Value Pack
- 1.7 7. Plaid Gallery Glass Window Color Beginner Set
- 1.8 8. Arteza 3D Fabric Paint, Set of 30
- 2 Factors to Consider When Buying the Best Paint for Glass
- 3 Paint for Glass FAQ
- 4 Making the Decision
10 Best Paints to Use on Glass:
1. Apple Barrel PROMOABI, Assorted Colors
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Review
If you’re looking for the best paints to use on glass, then you can’t go wrong with this selection.
These paints work equally as well on Styrofoam, terra cotta, wood, plaster and tin.
With easy flow and great coverage, these matte acrylic paints dry with surprising speed. Cleanup is a snap.
All you need is soap and water, so spills are never a concern.
This set comes with 18 colors, and each bottle contains two ounces of paint.
The colors included range from black to white with hues like New Shamrock, Bright Magenta, Jack-o-Lantern, Pewter Grey, Nutmeg Brown and others in between.
All the paints in this set are water-based and non-toxic. Made in the USA, you can definitely trust this product from Plaid, which is a well-known name in the craft industry.
Apple Barrel is a reliable line of acrylic paints that dry quickly and look great.
What Consumers Are Saying
These creamy paints glide onto glass like a dream. Most people remark that this set is a smart and economical choice, though some wish the hues had better opacity.
- Great selection of colors
- Plenty of paint in two-ounce bottles
- A creamy paint that glides well on any surface
- May not be opaque enough for some projects
2. Zenacolor Acrylic Paint Set, 24 Tubes
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Review
While these deserve to be listed among the best paints for painting glass, it’s worth noting that each tube includes just 0.4 ounces, or 12 milliliters, of paint.
If you are a heavy user, this may not be the most economical choice.
Nonetheless, this is a high-quality set of non-toxic acrylic paints. Because they are water-based, they are safe to use and easy to wash away from clothing or skin.
Because this set contains 24 colors, it comes with nearly everything that the glass artist needs.
Each hue is vivid and bright, and the collection includes popular colors like titanium white, viridian green, vermilion red and lamp black.
One thing that makes these paints a great choice is how easily they can be mixed. If you’re ready to create colors, this is a magnificent place to start. You also might appreciate the 30-day warranty that assures a complete refund if you’re not satisfied.
Any artist who is excited about learning to mix paint with ease will love this set.
What Consumers Are Saying
Fans of this set love the colors and how they flow across any surface, but some people were disappointed that the packaging was torn upon receipt.
- Bright, vibrant colors
- Great for mixing
- Excellent selection of hues
- Small tubes
- Packaging sometimes fails
3. FolkArt PROMOGLS16 Enamel Glass Painting Set
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Review
Dedicated glass artists will appreciate that this paint is specially formulated for their use.
What’s more, FolkArt is one of the most recognizable and dependable of all paint brands for crafts.
This means that you’ll probably love this selection.
Glass painting is definitely an art, and a paint has to possess certain qualities in order to achieve the right effects.
Once applied to a glass object, the paint can be cured by baking. This makes the object dishwasher safe on the top shelf.
With a scratch-resistant, durable and glossy finish, these paints look gorgeous on glass.
A high degree of pigmentation ensures opaque coverage in each of the 16 colors, which include white, black and every color in between.
Specially formulated for use on glass, these FolkArt paints are a tried-and-true selection.
What Consumers Are Saying
Calling them fun and magical, many glass artists are in love with these paints. They really appreciate the subtle sparkle that each hue brings to glass.
Nonetheless, it’s important to remember to be patient. Curing for 21 days before the use of painted objects is recommended.
- Subtle sparkle
- Designed for use on glass
- Excellent opacity
- Not for the impatient
4. Magicdo Stained Glass Paint with Palette
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Review
Artists who love the look of stained glass will be excited to try this stained glass paint. An acrylic enamel, this paint allows you to make your own stained glass.
Put this acrylic paint on glass, and you’re certain to end up with a memorable result. This set includes 12 colors such as Titanium White, Black, Violet, Rose, Burnt Umber and more.
These 12-milliliter bottles are small, but a little goes a long way. Plus, the price is right. A set this affordable is easy to replace when certain colors get low.
These paints are non-toxic and free of odors and solvents. With spectacular adhesion abilities and water resistance, these are a great choice for long-lasting finished products. Baking painted glassware ensures a tough, durable finish.
Anyone who has ever dreamed of creating stained glass has their chance with this paint.
Also, the right choice brush will help you to create masterpieces, check out reviews on best brushes for acrylic paints.
What Consumers Are Saying
Artists love the beauty of these colors, remarking that they blend together with incredible ease. Many users say that these paints can turn any piece of glass into stained glass.
It’s important to realize before purchasing that this is a translucent paint. If you want better opacity, stick to a more traditional acrylic.
- Gorgeous colors
- Easy flow
- Makes any glass look like stained glass
- May be too translucent for some projects
5. Plaid Gallery Glass Window Color Value Paint Set
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Review
Containing 31 colors, this paint for glassware is remarkably affordable. It’s designed so that you can create beautiful gallery glass for your home.
Including a tube of black liquid leading, it’s easy for artists to create an original design on glass and then color it.
Each made-in-the-USA paint in this set is non-toxic and removable.
The kit comes with a multi-purpose tool that’s used for blending and scooping.
In all, the package includes six large pots of white, red, yellow, green, blue and amethyst.
Twenty-four smaller tubes boast colors like aqua, sunflower, magenta royal and hologram shimmer.
If you’re excited by the idea of creating faux stained glass, then this is the choice for you.
What Consumers Are Saying
People who have tried this set say that it’s the absolute best for mimicking real stained glass.
Unfortunately, a few artists noted that some of the paints were dried up upon receipt.
- Create faux stained glass
- Incredibly versatile
- A wide selection of colors
- Artists may find some colors are dried up
6. DecoArt Americana Gloss Enamels, 34 Color Value Pack
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Review
When you’re looking for paint to use on glass, make certain that you give this versatile set a closer inspection.
The paints in the kit put a nice, glossy finish on all of your projects.
Inside the kit, you get larger, two-ounce bottles of black and white. The other 32 colors arrive in 0.125-ounce pots.
These non-toxic enamel paints can be used on just about any surface. When you bake a finished glass project, it becomes extra durable and dishwasher safe.
Because it contains such a variety of colors, it’s hard to imagine needing anything else for painting on glass.
Some of the paints are thicker and more opaque than the others, so you have to really pay attention as you work.
What Consumers Are Saying
Still, artists love having this many colors without having to mix their own. If there’s a drawback, it’s the tiny pots in which most of the colors are stored.
These pots are kind of flimsy and difficult to use without spilling.
- A great selection of colors
- Works perfectly for glass
- Baked glassware is dishwasher proof
- The paint pots are not well constructed
7. Plaid Gallery Glass Window Color Beginner Set
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Review
This eight-pack of two-ounce paint bottles comes with all of the necessary hues. All the artist has to do is create an outline, and then paint it.
The colors contained in the bottles are cocoa brown, amethyst, crystal clear, Kelly green, royal blue, snow white, sunny yellow and ruby red.
With this set, anyone can turn an ordinary piece of glass into stained glass. A unique formula makes it possible to create repositionable and reusable glass clings.
Thanks to a non-toxic, water-based formula, this paint is safe for anyone to use. Plus, it dries in only eight hours and can be fully cured within one week.
Creating stained glass is easy thanks to these high-quality, transparent paints.
What Consumers Are Saying
Each vivid, transparent color earns high praise from artists. Some comment that several coats may be necessary to achieve brighter colors.
- Make your own stained glass
- Dries in as little as eight hours
- Contains all basic colors
- Several coats may be needed to achieve the desired color
8. Arteza 3D Fabric Paint, Set of 30
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Review
When you’re looking for paint to use on glass, fabric paint may not immediately spring to mind.
However, this excellent 3D paint works just as well on glass, ceramic and plastic.
Each one-ounce tube is filled with puffy paint that can be conveniently squeezed onto the work surface.
The pen-shaped bottles are equipped with fine tips, but this set also includes a variety of other tips for creating thicker lines or multiple lines at once.
Because they are easy to hold and dispense paint easily, these fabric paints are incredibly popular.
The 30 colors include predictable basics like Titanium White, Yellow Ochre and Space Black as well as several metallic shades.
Artists will appreciate the inclusion of a variety of fluorescent hues, a glitter paint and a glow-in-the-dark paint.
What Consumers Are Saying
People who have tried these paints love how easy they are to use. Also of note is how durable these paints are.
After several years, they look just as good. Nonetheless, users do remark that getting the hang of using the squeeze tube can take time.
- So many colors!
- A wide variety of tips
- Fun and easy to make intricate designs
- Using the squeeze tube requires practice
Factors to Consider When Buying the Best Paint for Glass
Type of Paint Works Best on Glass
The first thing to consider when choosing the right paint is to identify what type of paint works best on glass. Generally, there are three options from which to choose.
These include acrylic enamel and other acrylics that are specially formulated for use on glass or a solvent paint that is designed to use on glass.
Usually, it is the acrylic enamels and acrylic paints for glass that are most commonly used by crafters and hobbyists. Enamel paints promise great versatility, but you may need to prime the glass before you paint it.
These paints also tend to be oil-based, which means that they can be both toxic and flammable. You can find water-based enamel paints that do away with these disadvantages.
Acrylic paints are enormously popular for use on glass. They dry fast and are water-based for a non-toxic experience that’s safe for anyone. When using acrylics, it’s wise to remember that they often look darker when dry than they do when wet, which can affect the look of the finished project.
Opaque or Transparent Finish
When choosing paint that works on glass, you may want to weigh several factors.
One of these is whether you hope to achieve an opaque or transparent finish.
If you’re looking for lovely, light transparency, then one of the stained glass options presented above is right for you.
However, if you’re looking for the brightest, most vibrant colors, then you want paint that dials up the opacity.
Textures and Dimensions
Another factor to think about is whether you want your paint to add dimension to the finished piece. The puffy fabric paint that is described above is ideal for blending in different textures and dimensions.
Paint for Glass FAQ
How do you prepare glass for painting?
No matter what type of paint you decide to use, it won’t adhere to the surface unless that surface is perfectly clean. Ordinary soap and water are all that’s necessary for squeaky clean glass, though some people do prefer to use rubbing alcohol to be absolutely certain the glass is clean. Once it’s dry, the glass is ready for painting.
How do you know what type of paint to use on glass?
You can choose from a range of acrylics and enamel acrylics, all of which are available in water-based, non-toxic formulas. Ideally, you’ll choose a product that is labeled specifically for use on glass for the best results.
Before making a purchase, consider how opaque or transparent the paint needs to be. This will largely determine which paint is right for your project.
How long does it take paint to dry on glass?
This will vary depending upon which paint you choose. Carefully read the instructions on the label to see what the manufacturer recommends. It is not unusual to see dry times of between one and three hours. Following this guideline in between coats is recommended.
Once the appropriate level of brightness or opacity is achieved, it makes sense to allow the finished project to dry for between a week and 21 days for curing.
Is it safe to put painted glass in the dishwasher?
Some painted glass objects are intended to only be seen while others are meant to be used. If your finished project will need regular cleaning, then it’s wise to look for a paint that can be baked on to ensure a durable finish.
Paints that are compatible with dishwasher cleaning say so right on the label, and they contain specific instructions for preparation.
Making the Decision
After our painstaking review, we believe that the best paint for glass is the FolkArt Enamel Glass Painting Set. This specially formulated paint provides bright, opaque colors with remarkably easy flow. We love the glossy, durable finish and how well this paint resists scratching.
If you’re looking for something less opaque, then go with the Magicdo Stained Glass Paint set. Non-toxic and odor-free, these paints provide you with the beautiful look of stained glass at a reasonable price
