I try to get my hands on every material I can think of, and sadly, that means I can never make a quick trip to the hardware store. Even when I plan to rush in and grab a packet of bolts or a can of paint, I always leave three hours later with those things, plus a sample of random plastic tubing and tons of half-formed ideas.
This project is so easy to re-create; even the intricate triangle design that Kara has made requires mainly patience and a steady hand. I think this would make a wonderful project for outdoors; since the painting is on the underside of the glass, it can be protected from the elements and easily cleaned. It’s great that you can customize the design however you please, but Kara’s bright, summery geometric pattern was too beautiful for me to pass up.
Materials
- piece of glass cut to size (or you can cut a piece of plexiglass yourself)
- spray paint
- painter’s tape, contact paper, or stencil (depending on the pattern you want to create)
- paint thinner
- rubber or felt grippers
1. Buy a piece of glass cut to the size of your tabletop from a local glass shop, or buy and cut a piece of plexiglass yourself. (I got my plexi at Home Depot.) If you choose to use plexiglass, cut it with a jigsaw blade that is designated to cut metal. (The smaller “teeth” will allow you to cut through the piece.) Keep the edge very well supported to prevent cracking.
2. Choose a pattern to paint on your glass. The options are endless and can be super easy or more complicated. I chose to go with something a little more complicated. Cut contact paper into triangles and cover your glass piece with them. (This process will take some time.)
3. Remove some triangles throughout the piece to paint on your first color layer. Use painter’s tape in spots where the triangles didn’t line up perfectly. You can also use a guard (cut out of cardboard) to keep the overspray from getting everywhere.
4. Once your first layer is dry, take off another round of triangle stickers and spray your second color. On the back of your glass, the spray paint will overlap, but on the front your triangles will stay crisp! And remember that if you have a little mess up, paint thinner will clear things up in a jiffy! :)
5. Repeat steps 5 and 6 with however many colors you desire. I left some triangles unpainted to allow the white of the table to show through.
Note: Remember to allow your paint to dry completely before putting the painted glass top on your table! You can also add rubber or felt grippers to the underside of the glass to create some separation between the paint and the piece of furniture. Of course, these grippers will also help keep the glass in place!
You’re done!
