How to Distress and Age New Glass

Three step-by-step tutorials on How to Distress and Age New Glass! Use these methods to make Potion Bottles, Apothecary Jars, or just aged bottles for decorating!

Today I am going to share the step-by-step tutorials on how I distressed and aged the glass jars for my Harry Potter Potion Bottles! However, this method could be used for many crafts and decorations!

For my Potion Bottles, I went to several thrift stores to find old cool glass bottles. Sadly, nothing looked old and aged. All the jars and bottles looked shiny and new!

HOW TO ANTIQUE GLASS

I will be sharing three separate ways to distress or age glass using paint, glue, and sandpaper! Each way gives a completely different look, but can be cohesive all working together too!

For all the different techniques you just need some clear glass bottles or jars. You can thrift old jars or buy them new! Because I was making these for potion bottles, I went for bottles that would fit that style. I love this set of Vintage Bottles from Amazon and I also love the selection Hobby Lobby has had in the past. Also, don’t overlook your own pantry! Sometimes just removing a label will give you a great bottle option!

HOW TO DISTRESS GLASS USING PAINT

The first technique I’m sharing uses acrylic paint and water. When antiquing glass with paint, I like to use browns, tans, and gray acrylic paint.

Items you’ll need:

• Acrylic Paint
• Water
• Plastic Cup
• Foam paintbrush
• Bottle

The amount of water to paint ratio is what will change the look. When making a set, don’t be afraid to start with a thicker paint amount and then water it down more and more as you do more bottles. You don’t need a lot of paint — start with adding a dime’s worth of paint and then diluting the paint down with water. The more water you add, the more subtle the antiquing will look.

Directions:

Then take a paper towel and softly blot around the bottle until you get the look you desire. If you mess up or blot too much, simply apply more paint and blot it again.

When you’re finished, put your finger inside and carry it (that way you don’t mess up the sides) and put it into your oven directly onto the rack. Close the oven and turn it to bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. After the 45 minutes, turn the oven off and allow the bottle to cool off in the oven. The bottle could crack if the glass is subject to temperature changes too quickly. When it comes out the paint is nice and set. Although, I would not get it wet as a precaution.

Different colors really made a difference!

HOW TO DISTRESS GLASS USING GLUE

This may be my favorite distressed look. This technique uses Mod Podge Matte Finish and dirt. I love the grungy look it gives the bottle!

Items you’ll need:

• Mod Podge Matte Finish
• Dirt
• Water
• Plastic Cup
• Foam paintbrush
• Bottle

Directions:

Mix a little bit of dirt with equal amounts of Mod Podge Matte Finish and water. Remember this is to preference, so if you want a little more dirt, don’t hesitate to add it. But, just make sure that it is fully covered in the Mod Podge/Water mixtures so it adheres to the bottle as it should.

Painted the dirt on and let it dry. To get a more detailed look, you can also paint the inside of the bottle.

When the glue dries it leaves the dirt on the jar and leaves a slightly milky color on the glass.

HOW TO DISTRESS GLASS USING SANDPAPER

This look is my family’s favorite! I love how simple this method is! It’s a great job for little hands that may want to help!

Just take rough sandpaper and sand all over the bottle! The more your sand, the more distressed the bottle will look.

I like to buy a Variety pack of Sandpaper and even switch up the different sandpaper grits I’m using!

Tips on sanding glass:

• Make sure you sand all different directions! That way it looks random.
• It starts off hard to make a scratch in the glass and you won’t feel like you are making a lot of progress. But the more you sand the bigger the difference that you’ll start to see.
• Some glass is easier to sand than others.

It was really fun to play around with the methods and it really didn’t take very long! And I love how the Harry Potter Potion Bottles turned out!

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HOW TO ANTIQUE GLASS JARS

Step-by-step tutorials on How to Distress and Age New Glass using three different methods -- paint, glue and sandpaper!! Use these methods to make Potion Bottles, Apothecary Jars, or age bottles for decorating!

Prep Time30 mins

Total Time30 mins

Author: Over The Big Moon

Materials

• Glass Jars different sizes and shapes
• 3 Plastic Cups
• 3 Foam Paint Brushes
• Acrylic Paint various colors
• Mod Podge Matte
• Dirt
• Sandpaper various grits

Instructions

HOW TO DISTRESS BOTTLES WITH PAINT

• The amount of water to paint ratio is what will change the look. When making a set, don't be afraid to start with a thicker paint amount and then water it down more and more as you do more bottles. You don't need a lot of paint -- start with adding a dime's worth of paint and then diluting the paint down with water. The more water you add, the more subtle the antiquing will look.
  

HOW TO DISTRESS GLASS WITH MOD PODGE

• Mix a little bit of dirt with equal amounts of Mod Podge Matte Finish and water. Remember this is to preference, so if you want a little more dirt, don't hesitate to add it. But, just make sure that it is fully covered in the Mod Podge/Water mixtures so it adheres to the bottle as it should.

  Painted the dirt on and let it dry. To get a more detailed look, you can also paint the inside of the bottle.

  When the glue dries it leaves the dirt on the jar and leaves a slightly milky color on the glass.
  

HOW TO DISTRESS GLASS WITH SANDPAPER

• Just take rough sandpaper and sand all over the bottle! The more your sand, the more distressed the bottle will look.

  I like to buy a Variety pack of Sandpaper and even switch up the different sandpaper grits I'm using!
  

Video

Notes

Have fun and don't be afraid to experiment with different ratios and techniques! You never know what you'll be able to create!

Tips on sanding glass:

• Make sure you sand all different directions! That way it looks random.
• It starts off hard to make a scratch in the glass and you won't feel like you are making a lot of progress. But the more you sand the bigger the difference that you'll start to see.
• Some glass is easier to sand than others.

Don’t forget to check out the Harry Potter Potion Bottles HERE!