Painting Mason Jars and Distress Them Easily with Video

Share it with others!

Are you looking for directions on painting mason jars? Have you seen those farmhouse mason jars? You can buy them online for $40 or more! Painting mason jars is easy! I’m going to show you how to paint and distress a mason or recycled jar to give them that rustic vintage look for a fraction of the cost! This is one of my favorite diy projects.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Click here for my disclosure policy

You’ll need a plain mason jar to get started and you can find old jars at a thrift store to create this project on a budget.

For this project I'm going to create 5 farmhouse mason jars. I picked a variety of sizes for what I'll be using them for. You can also use recycled jars as well.

Painting Mason Jars Tutorial

For this project, I’m going to 5 paint mason jars. I picked a variety of sizes for what I’ll be using them for. You can also use recycled jars as well.

Painting Mason Jars Video

I took the center part out of each of the mason jars as I would not be needing them for this project.

I took the center part out of each of the mason jars as I would not be needing them for this project.

I washed all of the jars, and then I wiped them with rubbing alcohol. This will remove all of the oil, dirt, and other particles that might stop the paint from sticking.

I washed all of the jars, and then I wiped them with rubbing alcohol. This will remove all of the oil, dirt, and other particles that might stop the paint from sticking.

I used white Folk Art Home Decor chalk paint and painted on my first coat on all of the jars. It is important to pick a paint that says it is okay for glass. If you don't pick the right kind of paint it could peel or scratch off easy.

Painting Mason Jars with chalk paint

You can leave the lids on or take them off, whatever is easier for you.

You can find chalk paint and acrylic paint for glass at your local craft store.

I used white Folk Art Home Decor chalk paint (and you could use any paint color you like) and painted my first coat on all of the jars. I made sure to cover the glass surface on each jar and I did paint the bottom of the jar as well. It is important to pick a paint that says it is okay for glass. If you don’t pick the right kind of paint it could peel or scratch off easily.

I used a regular paint brush but you can also use a foam brush if you prefer.

You can use acrylic craft paint that is made as glass paint as another option.

You can paint the outside or inside of the jar, I chose to put the layer of paint on the outside because I will be distressing them.

After painting all 5 jars, I followed the paint instructions and let them dry for 1 hour.

After painting all 5 jars, I followed the paint instructions and let them dry for 1 hour.

You could stop with the first coat if you were happy with the results. This is great for luminaries as the paint will still be a little translucent. I wanted more of an opaque look so I painted a second coat on all of the jars.

How many coats of paint? You could stop with the first coat if you were happy with the results. This is great for luminaries as the paint will still be a little translucent. I wanted more of an opaque look so I gave them all a second coat of paint on glass jars.

There will be some brush strokes, and if you don’t like them you can lightly sand them down to create a smooth finish. Be careful not to sand too much or you’ll remove the paint entirely. Chalk paint tends to self-level and it’s great to work with.

I let all 5 jars dry completely before moving on.

I didn’t need a third coat. I let all 5 jars air dry completely before moving on. I also followed the dry times per the package directions. Chalk paint does give a matte finish. If you decide to put a top coat on them to protect them you’ll get a smoother finish. I also love that chalk paint cleans off your hands with hot water, and you can easily clean your brushes with soapy water. This project doesn’t take much paint at all so you’ll have plenty left for the future.

I took a sanding block and lightly rubbed it over the raised words on the jars. This removes the paint from the raised lettering. I like sanding blocks as it helps to sand flat and I don't accidentally sand places I don't want to.

To create a distressed look, I took a sanding block and lightly rubbed it over the raised words on the jars. This removes the paint from the raised lettering. I like sanding blocks instead of grit sandpaper as it helps to sand flat and I don’t accidentally sand places I don’t want to.

Sanding like this is called distressing. You can distress your painted mason jars as much or as little as you want. If you make a mistake, simply paint the jar again and start over.

Sanding like this is called distressing. You can distress your painted mason jars as much or as little as you want. If you make a mistake, simply paint the jar again and start over.

I wound a little twine and tied it off at the top of each mason jar.

I wound a little twine and tied it off at the top of each mason jar.

Once they're all done, it's time to use the jars. There are so many options! You could fill them with pens, pencils, etc and put them in your office. Set them on a lazy susan with some colored pencils, markers, and sissors for kids in the summer time. Give these away as gifts. Create luminaries....

Do you see how easy painted mason jars are to make?

Once they’re all done, it’s time to use the jars. There are so many options! You could fill them with pens, pencils, etc and put them in your office. Set them on a lazy susan with some colored pencils, markers, and scissors for kids in the summertime. Give these away as gifts. Create luminaries….

I bought a soap dispenser kit from Amazon, added soap to the mason jar, and added the pump to it.

I bought a soap dispenser kit from Amazon, added soap to the mason jar, and added the pump to it.

I'll be using mine in my bathroom. I added make up brushes, the soap dispenser, a vase, toothbrush holder, and cotton ball holder. I'm thrilled with how use these farmhouse painted and distressed mason jars will be, and at a fraction of the cost of buying them.

I’ll be using mine in my bathroom. I added make-up brushes, a soap dispenser, a vase, a toothbrush holder, and a cotton ball holder. I’m thrilled with how useful these farmhouse-painted and distressed mason jars will be, and at a fraction of the cost of buying them.

Do you think you’ll paint mason jars?

I turned mine into a brush holder, soap dispenser, vase, toothbrush holder, and cotton ball holder

Here’s the final product.

So if you wanted to know how to paint mason jars farmhouse style, this is it!

I added fresh mint to the vase to help my bathroom smell great

Here’s a little closer look at the chalk paint mason jars.

Have you seen those farmhouse mason jars? You can buy them online for $40 or more! I'm going to show you how to paint and distress a mason or recycled jar to look rustic for a fraction of the cost!

This is one of the easiest ways to paint glass mason jars. They are fantastic for many occasions like:

  • baby shower
  • special occasions
  • birthday parties
  • weddings
  • holidays

Will you make one of these farmhouse-style mason jars? Let me know in the comments

How do you paint mason jars?

Wash the jar and when it’s dry paint the mason jar with chalk paint. Let the paint dry, and add a second coat. Once the painted mason jar is completely dry, you can make a farmhouse painted mason jar by distressing it.

How to distress mason jars?

After your paint has dried completely, use sanding paper or a sanding block to carefully scrape the paint off of the mason jar letters and jar surface.

What kind of paintbrush works best for painting mason jars?

I like paintbrushes with a flat edge (not a chip brush), also a craft paintbrush with fine bristles.

Do you need a top coat on painted mason jars?

It depends on where you are putting them and what you are doing with them. If it’ll be near water, then yes I recommend a top coat and you can use Folk Art Home Decor varnish for this or dishwasher safe Mod Podge

Can you wash the painted mason jars?

If you do not put a top coat on them, you can clean them with a damp rag after they have cured. If you put a varnish on them, you should be able to hand wash them.

Do you have to use chalk paint on mason jars?

No, you can use any paint that says it’s okay for glass. You can also use acrylic paint which is okay for glass.

Painting Mason Jars Video

Shop any of these stores and I receive a small commission at no cost to you.

FolkArt Home Decor Ultra Ma...Shop on AmazonSanding Sponge, Auerllcy Co...Shop on AmazonMason Jar Liquid Soap Dispe...Shop on AmazonMason Jar Bathroom Set(3 ...Shop on Amazon

You might be interested in some of my other mason jar crafts

Find out “What Exactly Does It Mean To Repurpose Or Upcycle“, save money, and create the most amazing things.

Check out some of my other mason jar creations!

Share it with others!

Similar Posts

37 Comments

  1. Love, love, love these! The distressing makes all the difference. Wow! Definitely going to try, thanks for the tip!

    1. Thank you so much Kim, I’m thrilled you like them. I think they would make great gifts as well

  2. Great tutorial, Chas. There are so many possibilities for these jars (gifts) -and the holidays are coming! Thanks for sharing.

    1. Thank you so much Ann, the holidays come up so fast don’t they? Wonderful creating and hopping with you.

    1. Thank you Patti, I’m so glad you like them. Wonderful hopping and crafting with you.

  3. Karen Zayatz says:

    What great ideas and so easy.

    1. Thank you so much Karen, I’m thrilled you like it 🙂

  4. Who doesn’t love mason jars? This is a great project and use doe them..

    Cindy

    1. Thank you so much Cindy and I’m so glad you agree.

  5. This is such a fun post! Love anything with mason jars!

    Happy day friend!
    karianne

    1. Thank you so much KariAnne! Aren’t they the greatest? Can be used in so many different ways.

    1. Thank you so much Kathleen, they are so fun, so easy, and great for so many things. Great creating with you.

  6. These mason jars are so cute, Chas! I love mason jars for decorating in all seasons; they are so versatile!
    I have a link up party called, “Embracing Home and Family” that is for all things homemaking, homeschooling and homesteading, and it happens on Friday’s over on my blog The Inspired Prairie, and would love to have you link up this post with us!

    Hope to “see you” on Friday!

    -Cherelle

    1. Thank you so much Cherelle, I’m thrilled you like them. Thanks for the invitation to check out your party.

    1. Thank you so much Jo, I’m thrilled you like them.

  7. I’m going to try this! If it works, I will let you know! Thank you for the great inspiration Chas! And thank you for sharing with Charming Homes and Gardens!

    1. Thanks Kim, I had been wanting to try it and it was so easy. I’m addicted now and want to make more 😉

  8. I am in love with and never tire of all of the things that one can do with mason jars. Both old and new I just love them. You created a great tutorial. Thank you for sharing with us. We were very happy that you chose to link up with #omhgww and your post will be socialized if buttons are available. Have a wonderful day.

    1. Thank you Clearissa, I’m so glad you like the tutorial. Mason jars are great for so many things!

  9. ********************************************************
    Thank you for sharing at #OverTheMoon. Pinned and shared. Have a lovely week. I hope to see you at next week’s party too! Please stay safe and healthy. Come party with us at Over The Moon! Catapult your content Over The Moon! @marilyn_lesniak @EclecticRedBarn
    ********************************************************

    1. Thank you so much Marilyn, I’ll see you at the next one.

  10. I love mason jar projects and have a Pinterest board just to save all the projects I like. These look great and definitely better than paying full price when you can DIY them yourself so easy. Thanks for sharing them. #HomeMattersParty

    1. Thank you so much Donna, I’m thrilled you like them and love that you have a mason jar board.

  11. What a fun project! And so versatile. Thank you for sharing this at Creative Compulsions!

    Michelle
    mybijoulifeonline.com

    1. Thank you so much Michelle – It was something I had been wanting to try and it was so easy to do

  12. Ranea Seremetis says:

    These are so cute! Thank you so much! Perfect idea for bathroom items and kitchen utensils also! Thank you thank you

  13. Thanks for this creative DIY! For best results, wait until the paint is entirely dry before you begin scraping it off the mason jar lettering and jar surface. When it comes to paintbrushes, I like flat-edged ones (not chip brushes) and fine-bristled craft paint brushes.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *