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DIY Mercury Glass Vases with Krylon Looking Glass Spray Paint

Learn how to create your own DIY Mercury Glass vases with this easy mercury glass tutorial and video tutorial too!

I love the look of mercury glass. I love how it shimmers and yet still looks like vintage decor! Wikipedia says Mercury glass is “glass that was blown double walled, then silvered between the layers with a liquid silvering solution, and sealed.” I’ve watched quite a few tutorials on how to DIY Mercury glass with Krylon Looking Glass spray paint, and I’ve decided to share a few different ways I created my own! I also experimented with adding a little color. Let me show you!

DIY Mercury Glass vases with Krylon Looking Glass Spray paint

I had a handful of glass vases that were dying for a makeover! LOL, OK maybe I hoard them and save them for future projects.

You can see where I previously used these Dollar store vases as Halloween candle holders. They worked well for the season, but I was ready to give them a more “permanent” makeover.

In all the tutorials I read, it said to use WIDE mouth vases or bottles. This is due to the fact that the mercury glass spray paint works best when applied to the INSIDE of the vases to give it that double walled look like Wikipedia talks about.

Since I have a few small mouth vases and large mouth vases too, I decided to try it both ways (spray painting the inside and outside of the vases) and let YOU decide which one looks better.

Below is a picture of the vases I’ll be transforming and the products I’ve used.

glass vases before applying the looking glass spray paint

I decided while I was experimenting with applying the Krylon looking glass outside of the small mouth vases, I would add some color too!

I’m going to apply the Krylon Sea Glass spray paint on the inside and the Krylon looking glass to the outside. Can’t wait to see how this turns out!

Disclosure; this post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This does not affect the price you pay. This disclosure statement refers to the rest of the Amazon links in this post. See more on my disclosure page.

Krylon looking glass spray paint with sea foam spray paint

Materials to DIY your own Mercury Glass

Before you begin creating your DIY mercury glass, mix a vinegar solution of 1 part water and 1 part vinegar in a spray bottle.

How to create your own Mercury Glass Vases with Spray Paint and Vinegar

  1. Clean the vases or surfaces with a lint free cloth
  2. Decide if you are going to spray the outside or the inside of the vases
  3. If you are going to spray the inside, cover the outside surface with a disposable wrap
  4. Shake the can of Krylon Looking Glass spray paint at least one minute
  5. Spray one light and even coat
  6. Immediately spray a little vinegar solution on top
  7. Use a paper towel to lightly dab what you’ve sprayed
  8. Let it dry for at least 10 minutes
  9. Repeat steps 5-8 until you reach your desired finish

I’ll share some pictures of the faux mercury glass process.

You can see below where I covered the outside of the vases with painters tape and paper towels before I sprayed the Looking Glass.

After I sprayed the Looking Glass spray paint, I lightly sprayed the vinegar mixture on top.

applying the DIY Mercury glass with Krylon looking glass spray paint to the inside of the vases

You can see below what the vase looked like after a few coats of the Looking Glass INSIDE the vase.

After the Looking Glass spray paint has been applied to the vase

Even though I like it, I thought it would still look better with a light coat of Looking Glass ON TOP of the vase as well. Below is what it looked like finished.

DIY mercury glass vases

I said earlier that I wanted to experiment with a little color. I pulled out some old Krylon Sea Glass spray paint and decided to spray that to the inside of the small mouth vases.

applying Krylon sea glass spray paint to glass vase

Next I sprayed the vinegar solution.

adding vinegar to glass vase to create "mercury glass" look

Then comes the Krylon Looking Glass spray paint, but this time, I applied it to the OUTSIDE of the vase.

applying looking glass spray paint to glass vase
DIY Mercury glass with Krylon looking glass spray paint and sea foam spray paint

The picture above is after the first coat of Looking Glass. A part of me wishes I had only done one coat. I ended up applying two coats and the picture below is what the final product looks like!

DIY Mercury glass with Krylon looking glass spray paint

You can still see a little color, but mostly the vintage mercury glass look.

DIY mercury glass vases with Krylon Looking Glass spray paint

I still think the small mouth vase is my favorite!

DIY mercury glass small mouth vases

You know I love subtle pops of light blue and light green!

DIY mercury glass styled on shelf
DIY mercury glass styled on shelf

My cottage style dining room is coming together with a little faux mercury glass.

DIY Mercury Glass with Krylon Looking Glass Spray Paint

DIY Mercury Glass with Krylon Looking Glass Spray Paint

Learn how to create your own DIY Mercury Glass vases with this easy mercury glass tutorial and video tutorial too!

Prep Time 15 minutes
Active Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Difficulty Easy
Estimated Cost 10 dollars

Materials

  • Glass vases
  • Vinegar
  • Krylon looking glass - make sure you buy THIS brand
  • Spray bottle
  • Rag
  • Sea glass spray paint (optional)
  • Paper towels
  • Tape

Tools

  • no tools

Instructions

  1. Clean the vases or surfaces with a lint free cloth
  2. Decide if you are going to spray the outside or the inside of the vases
  3. If you are going to spray the inside, cover the outside surface with a disposable wrap
  4. Shake the can of Krylon Looking Glass spray paint at least one minute
  5. Spray one light and even coat
  6. Immediately spray a little vinegar solution on top
  7. Use a paper towel to lightly dab what you've sprayed
  8. Let it dry for at least 10 minutes
  9. Repeat steps 5-8 until you reach your desired finish

Notes

Before you begin creating your DIY mercury glass, mix a vinegar solution of 1 part water and 1 part vinegar in a spray bottle.

In all the tutorials I read, it said to use WIDE mouth vases or bottles. This is due to the fact that the mercury glass spray paint works best when applied to the INSIDE of the vases to give it that double walled look.

I’ve got a few more projects for this room (cane back chair makeover and a new dining table!) and it will be done!

You’re in for a treat because I’ve joined a group of fabulous bloggers with other upcycle projects. See all of them below!

I hope I’ve given you an easy tutorial to create your own DIY mercury glass. Happy crafting friends.

Lindsey**

Kerri

Friday 9th of July 2021

Why does it HAVE to be Looking Glass paint? I had someone else pick up paint for me and they brought home Rust-Oleum Gold Metallic paint. Why won’t this work?

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Sunday 11th of July 2021

I would give it a try! It might not have the "mercury glass" look but that doesn't mean it won't look cool!

Diana

Thursday 10th of December 2020

Hi, two questions 1 is it okay to use apple cider vinegar 2 if I spray the inside with the looking glass paint after drying can I use a candle inside?

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Thursday 10th of December 2020

H Diana! The apple cider vinegar should work too. I am using candles inside my vases that I spray painted and they have worked just fine. I'm assuming you are worried about it being flammable?

Thursday 27th of February 2020

Hi Lindsey! Thank you for experimenting for us. I agree with you, i like the smaller ones with color. Pinned

Naomi S

Wednesday 26th of February 2020

Lindsey, I like the look a lot but I have a question. How can you "dab" the inside of a small mouth vase after you spray the inside with the paint and the water and vinegar solution? I mean, what would you use? Also, wouldn't dabbing it just make smear marks? If you can clear up my confusion I just might be tempted to try doing this project. Heaven knows, I have enough various clear vases and containers!

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Thursday 27th of February 2020

Hi Naomi, I used a stick or a straw and taped a paper towel to the end to "dab" the inside of the small mouth vases. Does it "smear?" Yes a tad and you have to be careful, but as long as it's in the inside it still looks good from the outside.

Lori

Wednesday 26th of February 2020

I love these vases. You did a fabulous job. I do have a question. Why did it cost $40? I guess I'm not up to date on what these items cost. Thanks.

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Wednesday 26th of February 2020

My mistake, I meant to put $10. Thanks for seeing that!

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