Delta Creative Air Dry Glass Painting Value Set: Easy, Economical, and Fun

Glass painting can inspire your inner craft nerd, that part of you that blushes with pride when you say, "I made it myself." Unfortunately it can be a messy and tedious undertaking; and the supplies can be expensive. If you've ever wished for an easy way to paint glass, the Delta Creative Air Dry Perm Enamel Value Set can make your wish come true. It makes glass painting easy, economical and fun.

I've done a bit of glass painting myself, holiday scenes on windows mostly, and floral motifs on mirrors. (Mirror painting was trendy in the seventies.) I only became curious about painting drinking glasses when my daughter brought home 4 beautiful wine goblets from an art fair in England. "They were expensive!" she cautioned. "Don't break them." She knew me well. I've broken every glass I ever owned; so I put those lovely hand painted glasses on a my highest shelf and admired them from afar.

That was nearly 10 years ago. Since then, I've contemplated painting glassware a time or two. I investigated the supplies, the procedures, the process. The cost of supplies and all that oven curing seemed a bit much for something I was likely to break.

A Simple Air Dry Glass Painting Solution

I was drawn to the words "air dry" while scanning Michael's glass crafts section for an interesting project. The Delta Creative Perm Enamel Value Set for glass, tile and ceramic painting called to me. The kit contained a cost saving assortment of 6 paints, a surface conditioner and a top glaze. It had everything I needed except a paintbrush. There was no oven curing required; and it cost less than 5 dollars. I decided to take it home and get artsy-craftsy with glass.

Materials

Delta Creative Air Dry Perm Enamel Value Set - Choose from kits with Opaque, Transparent, Iridescent or Shimmer effects.

Glasses - Practice painting on clear glasses from a dollar store until you reach the skill level you desire.

Tools

Paintbrushes of your choice

Sketch Your Design

Decide your design ahead of time.

Do a sketch

Try flowers, people or even abstract shapes.

List details and color choices. The Delta Creative kit comes with 6 colors, so your design possibilities are endless

For a first time project, keep it simple.

Step 1: Condition Glass Surface

Surface Conditioner primes the area you wish to paint. It has bonding agents to help paint stick to glass.

The Surface Conditioner has a light clean scent, but the package cautions you to work in a well ventilated area.

Don't inhale the fumes.

Protect your working surface with newspaper before you begin.

Clean your glass with soap and warm water and let it dry.

Use a clean dry paint brush to apply Surface Conditioner to area to be painted.

Let the Surface Conditioner dry for at least 1 hour..

Step 2: Paint Your Design

Here is where you reach inside to call up some creativity.

Use a dry brush to paint your design on the conditioned area.

The paint is thick, but do not dilute it with water.

Paint or outline your design in a light color, then fill it in with your final colors.

Allow paint to dry at least 1 hour.

Step 3: Add Clear Gloss Top Coat.

Use a dry brush.

Apply a coat of Clear Gloss Glaze over painted area.

Do not dilute the glaze.

Allow to dry 1 hour then apply a second coat of glaze.

Things I Learned From My First Glass Painting Project

As you can probably tell, the first glass I painted with my Delta Creative Value Set didn't turn out perfectly, but I learned a few things in the process:

The paint is thick and doesn't drip or run. That makes it less messy but harder to control.

The colors remain bright after they dry.

You should use an assortment of brushes, including at least one thin, small brush for fine lines.

Don't expect perfection the first time, just have fun.

Additional Tips

You don't have to cure your painted glasses in the oven, but you must let the paint dry for at least 10 days before you wash them.

Areas you paint should not come into contact with food.

Conditioner, paint and Gloss Coat can be flammable. Use cautiously.

Use in a well ventilated area.

Source:
Delta Creative Air Dry Perm Enamel Value Set Package Instructions

Personal Experience