How to Paint Mason Jars with Chalk Paint

This is a tutorial on how to chalk paint on glass bottles to create that perfect modern farmhouse vintage centerpiece.

I see all these cute rustic mason jar projects on Pinterest and decided to finally design my own.

So technically I didn’t use a traditional mason jar but it doesn’t really matter, the method is all the same.

I decided to repurpose some used jam jars I already had for this project which actually worked out quite well.

These chalk paint candle holders are great to have around the house for a cozy evening or to gift to a friend on all occasions.

I am always paranoid about leaving live candles burning so I always use LED tea candles for things like this.

Before we get started, if you are interested in the maple leaf, bear and deer head cutouts, the templates are available for free in my resource library.

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Best Chalk Paint for Mason Jars

Chalk paint sounds like there only be one but there are actually many types and brands to choose from.

You can always buy a full or even quart can of chalk paint meant for interior walls but I find that a little too much for my projects and went with an acrylic variety set made by Folk Art.

This set is super affordable and came in this next mix of vintage rustic colors.

Regardless, just don’t get confused and mistakenly get Chalkboard paint or Chalk Paste which is not what you want for this project.

How to Paint Glass Jars with Chalk Paint

First, get all your supplies ready.

A cutout template is not necessary but it does make it more interesting. I used removable vinyl for mine.

Brush vs Sponge for Painting Mason Jars

I actually tried both and you can see the difference below. One leaves a more streaky texture and the other more stucco-like.

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I actually ended up using a makeup sponge wedge like a brush and it was a nice compromise.

I found the easiest thing to do was to hold the jar from the inside and paint with the other hand.

Layering Chalk Paint on Glass Vases

This one was more tricky than I originally thought.

So first, you will need at least 2 coats of paint to get an opaque effect. Three is better than 2.

This isn’t a big deal if you are only painting the jar. You simply paint one coat, wait like 30 mins and then do another layer.

However, if you are doing a cut-out and need to remove the vinyl (and I do recommend vinyl and not contact paper which will fall apart), I would highly recommend removing the template while it is not completely dry.

What happens if you wait too long for the paint to dry, it tends to take chunks of paint off as you peel it off. If this does happen, just paint over it with a brush.

So I ended up just waiting a few minutes between each coat instead of 30 mins.

Additional tips on how to paint mason jars with vintage chalk paint

You will inevitably get paint somewhere where you don’t want it. If you are trying to remove the cutout template, it will likely be in the cutout area.

This is not a big deal, just take a q-tip or clean brush and dab it in some rubbing alcohol and wipe it off.

It might also be a little tricky getting the template off. I like to use a pair of tweezers to get it started and then just using my fingers so the tweezers don’t rip the vinyl.

How to seal chalk paint on glass

The beauty of using Acrylic Chalk Paint is it is already sealed. Acrylic is naturally waterproof so no additional step is needed.

If you are using a different type of paint, I would recommend Matte Mod Podge and brushing on a coat with a clean brush. The “Chalk” effect is created with a matte finish so you don’t want to apply a glossy coat on top.

Related Articles:

How to Paint Mason Jars from the Inside

Painting Wine Bottles

Frosted Mason Jar Luminaries