How To Waterproof Glitter Glasses? [Procedure, Time & Cost]
Glitter glasses are a fun way to give a colorful vibe to your party setting or any special occasion. It’s a simple DIY wherein you only have to coat your wine glasses with glitter and then seal it.
With wine glasses, no sealing simply means that glitter won’t last long. Applied glitter will scrape off in no time, given that the glasses are put to frequent use. Most importantly, it will make washing these glitter glasses almost impossible.
Even if the glue used is waterproof, it doesn’t guarantee that the outermost layer of glitter will durably stay in its place. Therefore, waterproofing of glitter glasses is a step you must not skip.
How To Waterproof Glitter Glasses?
Waterproofing of glitter glasses should be done on a perfectly set glitter layer. The curing time of adhesive used should also be taken into consideration.
Below are the best methods to waterproof glitter glasses.
- Using Pour-on epoxy
- Using Triple thick glaze
- Using Spray sealers
- Using Mod Podge
1. How To Waterproof Glitter Glasses Using Pour-On Epoxy?
In terms of results, epoxy resin is the best way to waterproof glitter glasses. Epoxy resin a thermosetting plastic that is liquid when applied but it dries hard and clear on the surface. It renders a layer on the glitter which is totally waterproof.
Epoxy resin comes in two components, one is resin and the other is a hardener. The reaction between these two components is what forms a cross-linked polymer layer over the surface. The ratio of these two components in the mixture is product-specific. Generally, it is 2:1 or 1:1.
Just one coat of epoxy is enough to waterproof glitter glass. The finish is glossy, crystal clear and smooth. Epoxy resin takes 7-8 hours to dry to touch if kept around room temperature. However, it cures fully only after around 72 hours of application.
Required Items:
- Epoxy resin
- Measuring cups and sticks
- Blow torch
- Electrical tape
- Nitrile gloves
- Parchment paper/newspaper
- Cup turner (optional)
Procedure [Step by Step]
1. Prepare the glitter glass for epoxy application
- Spread paper on the working surface.
- Tap the glasses a few times to get rid of excess glitter.
- Press the glitter using a parchment paper to flatten down the remaining glitter.
2. Mask with electrical tape
- Precisely put the electrical tape right above the glitter lining. Make sure there is no gap between the applied tape and glitter lining.
- Mask all the places with tape wherever the glass surface is bare and you don’t want your epoxy to settle on.
3. Make the epoxy solution
- Without opening, keep the epoxy and hardener bottles in warm water for up to minutes. Mixing cold solutions can result in a cloudy resin.
- Take out the bottles, and pour precisely measured equal amounts of hardener and epoxy in two different measuring cups. Make sure you make only as much solution as you would need for immediate use.
- In a bigger cup, pour the hardener and epoxy.
- Stir the mixture with the popsicle stick for around 3-5 minutes.
- Keep scraping the sides of the cup. And also, scrape the popsicle stick so that there remains no mixture unstirred.
4. Coat the glitter glass with epoxy
- Suspend the glass on the cup turner and wear the nitrile gloves. (As an alternative to cup turner, you can use a PVC pipe attached to a toy football or any hard sponge.)
- Dip the tip of your gloved index finger in epoxy solution.
- Coat the surface nicely as the glass spins. Or if not using a cup turner, keep rotating the glass as you coat on the glitter.
- With clear epoxy it can be hard to see if it is applied or not. It is better to coat thick instead of leaving spots.
5. Finalize the coat by removing air bubbles
- Bring a blow torch/heat gun 3-4 inches near the glitter layer.
- Provide gentle heat so that the epoxy resin can get rid of air bubbles.
- Take the glitter glass down from the cup turner and leave it standing upright or inverted.
6. Remove the tape and leave the glass to dry
- After around 30-45 minutes of applying the epoxy resin, remove the tape from the glass.
- Leave the glitter glass undisturbed for 6-8 hours. Epoxy will dry in this duration.
- For complete hard curing of the resin, wait for 48-72 hours.
Precautions & Aftercare
- Epoxy shouldn’t be applied on the rim of the glass. Or if you do, make sure the epoxy is FDA approved.
- Any spot of fresh epoxy on bare glass can come off using a baby wipe.
- The reaction between resin and hardener can give off toxic fumes. A mask or respirator should be used for protection.
- Removing tape too early will make epoxy run, and removing tape too late will make it hard to remove. Therefore, remove it within the prescribed time.
- Epoxy resin is not dishwasher safe unless mentioned on the product. Glitter glasses can be manually washed instead.
Time
It will take 3 days to waterproof your glitter glasses with epoxy.
Cost
Approximate cost of required items:
- Epoxy resin: $20
- Measuring cups and sticks: $10
- Blow torch: $15
- Electrical tape: $5
- Nitrile gloves: $10
- Cup turner (optional): $25
Total: $85
2. How To Waterproof Glitter Glasses Using Triple Thick Glaze?
The triple thick glaze is a high-gloss and clear protective coating which seals and protects the surface it is applied on.
Since it is specially formulated to be a sealing agent for a variety of crafts, it gives great results on glitter glasses. It is largely waterproof and very easy to use. The final finish is comparable to that of the epoxy.
The glazed coat enriches the appearance of depth in the glitter layer and leaves no mark of brush strokes.
The triple thick glaze is meant to be applied thick. Two coats of triple thick glaze provide a lasting layer on glitter glasses.
Required Items:
Procedure [Step by Step]
1. Prepare the glitter glass for a triple thick coat
- Make sure the adhesive used with glitter has dried and cured, as per the time directed on the product.
- Spread a paper on working surface and shake off the excess glitter from the glass.
- Going round and round, adhere the tape above the glitter lining.
- Mask the bare glass surface with tape, wherever exposed.
- Put the glass on a cup turner or any other such support of appropriate size. The glass should fit yet it should be free to rotate.
2. Apply the triple thick glaze
- Pour some triple thick glaze in a palette or any other surface.
- Using a flat-edged brush, paint the entire glitter surface with a sufficient amount of glaze.
3. Put the second coat and wait for drying
- Remove the tape after 15 minutes of the application of the first coat.
- Let the glitter glass dry for around 2 hours from the time of application.
- After it dries, mask the bare glass surface again using the tape.
- Coat the glitter the second time in a similar manner.
- After 15 minutes, remove the tape from the glass.
- Wait for 24 hours, before you put the glitter glass to use.
Precautions & Aftercare
- Triple thick glaze is not heat resistant. Therefore, exposure to excessive heat should be avoided.
- The brush can be simply cleaned with soap and water.
- Once it dries, triple thick glaze is hard to remove. Make sure you remove it quickly from any unwanted surface before it permanently dries.
Time
The whole process will take 2 days to finish.
Cost
The Approximate cost of required items:
- Triple thick glaze: $10
- Electrical tape: $5
- Flat edged brush: $5
- Cup turner (optional): $25
Total: $45
3. How To Waterproof Glitter Glasses Using Spray Sealers?
Many regular DIYers prefer spray sealers to permanently seal their glitter into place. These are mostly clear enamels and paints. Oil-based sealers give better protection to glitter glasses against water and moisture. However, water-based sealers can also be used.
These aerosol sprays are very easy to apply. With two coats of spray sealers, glitter glasses attain quality sealing, with negligible chances of glitter falling off. Besides, if applied in the right amounts, sealers are less prone to cracking.
Required Items:
- Spray sealer
- Mask
- Electrical tape
- Drop sheet/newspaper
Procedure [Step by Step]
1. Optimize the glitter layer
- Make sure the adhesive underneath the glitter layer is well cured.
- Tapping gently onto a thick surface, shake off the loose glitter.
2. Cover the exposed glass outside and inside
- Precisely mask the exposed glass using electrical tape.
- For cutting out in between the complicated pattern, if any, a paper knife can be used.
- Put tape 1-2 inches deep into the inside of the glass as well.
- To protect the insides of glass, keep a piece of fitting sponge, foam, or any other material.
3. Spray the sealer
- Keep the glitter glass on a firm surface. Make sure you use a newspaper/drop sheet under your glass.
- Shake the can vigorously a few times.
- In a steady up and down motion, spray the entire surface of glitter glass.
- Wait for around 10 minutes.
4. Apply the second coat and keep the glitter glass to dry
- Spray the second coat on the glitter layer.
- Wait for 10 minutes more, and if needed spray a third coat as well.
- Remove the adhered tape.
- Keep the glitter glass undisturbed for 48 hours.
Precautions & Aftercare
- Such sprays are meant to be applied outdoors or in a well-ventilated setting.
- Without the use of a proper mask or respirator, they can affect one’s health.
- If the sealant used is oil-based (as the one recommended above) clean-up can be done using spirit.
Time
The whole procedure will take around 3 days to finish.
Cost
The Approximate cost of required items:
- Spray sealer: $5
- Mask: $15
- Electrical tape: $5
Total: $25
4. How To Waterproof Glitter Glasses Using Mod Podge?
Mod Podge is an adhesive and a decoupage medium. It fulfills the basic needs of crafts, like gluing, sealing, and finishing.
For sealing the glitter layer on glasses, Mod Podge works remarkably well. The Mod Podge layer becomes thick and sturdy, which is strong enough to repel water.
Amongst various types of Mod Podge, the dishwasher-safe formula will be the best option. Mod Podge dries clear and provides a matt finish over the glitter.
Contrary to the glossy sheen of epoxy, the finish which Mod Podge provides over glitter retains some of the glitter texture.
The downside to applying Mod Podge is its long curing time. It requires 28-30 days to cure completely. The thicker the coat the longer it will take to cure. However, after curing, the coat will be significantly waterproof and durable.
Required Items:
Procedure [Step by Step]
1. Prepare the glitter glass
- Press the glitter glass with paper/newspaper to fix glitter into place.
- Gently shake off the extra glitter.
- Put the electrical tape where you don’t want Mod Podge to go.
- Put on the glitter glass over a cup turner/sponge dauber or any other support where the glitter glass can be freely rotated.
2. Apply the first coat of Mod Podge
- Take the bottle of Mod Podge and roll it a few times on a smooth surface to mix the formulation well.
- Dip the brush into the Mod Podge and while rubbing off the extra, ensure the brush has enough of it.
- Using a soft and large brush, coat the glass thickly and evenly with Mod Podge. Use as few strokes as needed.
- Remove the rotation support and let the glitter glass stand.
- Remove tape within 15-20 minutes of Mod Podge application.
- Wait for 24 hours until the first coat is dry to touch.
3. Apply the second coat
- The next day, check if the Mod Podge is clear and dry to touch. Make sure no glitter is falling off the glass.
- Mask the glass with the tape.
- Then coat the glitter with a second layer of Mod Podge, with big wide strokes using the soft brush.
- Wait for around 20 minutes and remove the tape.
4. Let the glitter glass dry and cure
- Make sure the glass stands upside down for the even distribution of Mod Podge before it sets and dries.
- Allow the glitter glass to sit for around 28-30 days before the Mod Podge formula becomes dishwasher safe.
Precautions & Aftercare
- For applying Mod Podge, brushes should be soft and should give wide coverage in one stroke. Otherwise, the brush marks will be easily visible.
- If the Mod Podge is cloudy or white even after the suggested drying time, wait until the turbidity disappears before you proceed.
- Dishwashing glitter glasses before 28-30 days of application will ruin the glitter.
Time
The whole procedure will require around a month before you can put your glitter glass to use.
Cost
The Approximate cost of required items:
- Mod Podge: $20
- Flat edged brush: $15
- Electrical tape: $5
- Cup turner (optional): $25
Total: $65
Final Words:
With all the food and drinks around on any special occasion, it is important to seal glitter glasses against any moisture. Sealing not only provides waterproofing but also renders proper finishing to the glitter.
Epoxy gives the best results in terms of protection and appearance. Even though it yellows, it does so after a very long time. Triple thick glazes are a good alternative as they don’t yellow like epoxy. They should be applied in thick layers to give comparable results as epoxy.
Spray sealers are effective and easy to use but since they’re toxic, one should exercise proper caution when spraying.
Mod Podge is a good go-to option because of its incredible sealing properties and dishwasher-safe formula. You can prefer it if you want a matt finish on your glitter glasses unlike the rest other methods mentioned.
