ThatPainter is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn More
A plain glass or ceramic vase can become a decorative faux-stone vessel with water-based acrylic paint and baking soda. The powder thickens the paint and leaves a mineral-like surface; controlled dabbing, multiple dry coats, and a small test patch let you choose whether the result looks lightly speckled or heavily textured.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
What creates the stone effect?
The finish comes from suspending baking soda in acrylic paint rather than applying ordinary paint alone. As the thickened mixture is dabbed onto a vase, it leaves tiny peaks and an irregular, chalky-looking surface that resembles porous stoneware. The paint supplies color and adhesion; the baking soda supplies body and visible texture.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →This is a decorative painting technique, not a factory stone coating. The amount of powder, brush pressure, coat thickness, and drying conditions all change the result. Tutorials describe the method on smooth glass, but also mention ceramic, stone, plaster, and resin when the existing finish is unwanted. Those are practical tutorial examples, not a controlled comparison of adhesion on each material.
#1 Best Overall
- COMPLETE 5-PIECE BRUSH SET FOR EVERY PAINTING TASK — Includes 1 Inch Flat, 1.5 Inch Angle, 2 Inch Flat, 2 Inch Angle Stubby, and 2.5 Inch Angle brush giving you every size professional painters use daily. Get all 5 for less than the price of a single brush from hardware store brands — professional grade performance at a fraction of the cost. Perfect for walls, trim, cabinets, doors, furniture, and detailed cutting-in work on any project.
- ZERO BRISTLE LOSS — GUARANTEED BY PRECISION ADHESIVE BONDING — Every bristle is locked in place with precision-set adhesive that keeps them in the brush — not in your paint job. The coated steel ferrule provides structural support while the adhesive bond ensures clean performance on every stroke. Premium SRT synthetic filaments load more paint and release it evenly for a smooth streak-free finish on walls, ceilings, and trim. Works with latex, oil-based paint, primer, sealer, and wood stain.
- INCLUDES THE ANGLE STUBBY MOST SETS LEAVE OUT — Professional painters know the 2 Inch Angle Stubby is the go-to brush for tight cabinet interiors, window sashes, inside corners, and detailed trim where standard angle brushes are too long. Combined with the 1.5 and 2.5 inch angle sash brushes you have precision cutting-in covered at every scale — baseboards, crown molding, door casings, and ceiling lines.
- FLAT BRUSHES FOR BROAD SMOOTH COVERAGE ON ANY SURFACE — The 1 and 2 inch flat brushes deliver even coverage on walls, furniture, shelving, doors, fences, decks, and wood surfaces. Ideal for applying primers, stains, varnishes, polyurethane, and specialty coatings. Solid wood handles provide all-day comfort and control for both professional contractors and weekend DIY homeowners tackling interior or exterior painting projects.
- TRUSTED BY PROFESSIONAL PAINTERS AND CONTRACTORS NATIONWIDE — Pro Grade delivers professional-grade results at a price that makes sense for crews who go through brushes on every job. Ideal for property managers, remodeling contractors, apartment turnover crews, maintenance teams, and commercial painting operations. Backed by thousands of verified reviews from working painters. Washable and reusable for multiple projects.
Materials and surface preparation
| Item | Purpose | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Glass or ceramic vase | Project surface | A thrifted or already-owned vase works well for the upcycling approach. Smooth glass is the clearest documented starting point. |
| Water-based acrylic craft paint | Color and binder | Choose a shade that suits the stone you want to imitate; neutral, warm, and muted colors usually make texture easier to see. |
| Baking soda | Texture and bulk | Keep extra powder available so you can increase the texture gradually instead of committing to a heavy mix immediately. |
| Mixing container and stirrer | Combines paint and powder | Use a container large enough to stir without spilling; mix only what you can apply during the session. |
| Craft or chip brush | Application | A stiff brush helps with dabbing. A softer brush can be useful for edges or a final thin coat. |
| Optional: joint compound and fiberglass mesh tape | Built-up relief method | These are for the alternative technique, which creates a thicker surface layer than baking-soda paint. |
Clean the vase first
Remove dust, grease, and grime, then let the vase dry completely. Paint applied over residue can fail to grab the surface evenly, and dampness makes it harder to judge whether a coat has actually dried. Do not begin mixing until the exterior is clean and dry.
Protect the work area
Spread a drop cloth or disposable covering under the vase. The mixture is thicker than ordinary acrylic and can leave ridges or crumbs around the base while you work. Set the vase on a support that lets you reach its lower edge without touching wet paint.
The baking-soda paint method
The most accessible process is to build the finish in several thin-to-medium coats. The often-cited starting ratio is 2 parts acrylic paint to 1 part baking soda. The ratio is a starting point, not a universal formula: different paints, vase shapes, and desired textures need different amounts.
- Choose and inspect the vase. Look for a shape whose silhouette you like. Check for chips, loose labels, or cracks and remove anything that could interfere with an even coat.
- Measure a small batch. Begin with two measures of paint and one measure of baking soda. For the example used by eHow in 2022, that was 6 fluid ounces of acrylic paint combined with 3 ounces of baking soda. That quantity is an example batch for one tutorial vase, not a required amount for every project.
- Stir thoroughly. Work the powder through the paint until the mixture looks consistent. Scrape the sides and bottom of the container so dry pockets do not end up as gritty clumps on the vase.
- Test before covering the vessel. Apply a patch to an inconspicuous area or a piece of scrap material with a similar surface. Let it begin to dry so you can see the actual relief. Add baking soda in small increments if the test looks too smooth; add a little more paint if it is too stiff to spread.
- Apply the first coat. Use a dabbing motion instead of long, flattening brush strokes. The Inspired Workshop notes that dabbing a thick mixture retains more texture than dragging a brush across it. Cover the surface consistently, but do not chase perfect smoothness—the irregularity is part of the stone illusion.
- Let the coat dry. eHow recommends waiting at least 30 minutes between coats in its project. Treat that as a tutorial timetable, not a guaranteed cure time: humidity, temperature, paint thickness, and the vase material can all extend drying.
- Build the surface with additional coats. Apply a second and third full coat after the previous layer is dry. Rotate the vase as you work so the texture does not form an obvious band on one side.
- Add uneven dimension only if wanted. The eHow process describes an optional, patchy fourth coat for extra variation. Place it selectively on areas where you want more relief rather than adding a uniform fourth layer everywhere.
- Inspect the dry finish. Look at the vase in side light. This reveals thin spots, overly smooth areas, and ridges that need a light touch-up. Stop adding material once the surface has the relief you want; more coats can obscure the original shape.
How to control texture, color, and brush marks
Use the mix as a texture dial
A 2:1 paint-to-baking-soda mix is a sensible first test because it gives the paint body without assuming you want maximum relief. My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia describes moving from about 3 tablespoons of baking soda per cup of paint toward roughly equal amounts while seeking a more textured result. That spread illustrates why you should adjust by small amounts and test rather than treating one ratio as a standard.
Rank #2
- Great Value Pack Artist Paint Brushes: Soucolor 20 brushes in 10 sizes professional paintbrushes set — no shedding, holds paint well, cleans easily, Acrylic, watercolor, oil, gouache, Halloween pumpkin decoration & face painting, rock painting, ceramics. Fantastic high quality gifts for creative, artistic siblings to share!
- Awesome Set of Paint brushes: Professional paint brushes can cover all of your needs. The multi-purposed brushes are ideal for Watercolor, Oil, Gouache, enamel, Acrylic Painting, Body, Nail, Face Painting, Miniature, Model, Wood, Glass, Cup, Ceramic, Fine work, Art class, Craft Art Painting, DIY Art Crafts etc.
- Soft and long-lasting: The bristles are soft and strong, with nickel metal ferrules and blue wooden handles. After cleaning, the bristles will become soft and fluffy again and will not fall off.
- Easy to clean: it’s very convenient to Wash well in soap and water. Retain shape after drying. the brushes hold up very well. Nice selection to beginners and professionals. Keep them clean and they last a long time.
- Halloween Pumpkin Ceramic Crafts Supplies: A Great painting gift for family, friends, kids, girls, women, student, classmate, teacher. For using in school, travel or used in the home and office.
More powder generally produces a thicker, more visibly granular mixture, but it can also make the brush drag, hide fine details, or crumble if handled before it has dried. Less powder produces a subtler surface and is easier to smooth around the neck, foot, and tight curves.
Keep the color believable
Stone is rarely a perfectly flat, single-color surface. You can create depth by using a main coat in a muted color and placing a slightly lighter or darker, thinner coat on selected high points after the base is dry. Keep the second color restrained so the result still reads as stone rather than a painted pattern. Any color layering should be tested on a small patch first because the texture scatters light and can make a color appear lighter than it looked in the container.
Decide how much brush texture to show
Dabbing leaves peaks and stippling that suggest porous stone. Gentle, short strokes can soften an area without removing all relief. Long strokes tend to flatten the baking-soda mixture and may create directional lines that look more like brushwork than mineral texture. Use the brush deliberately around the rim and base, where excess buildup is most noticeable.
Drying, sealing, and practical use limits
Allow the completed vase to dry for at least 24 hours before handling it as a finished object; that is the minimum drying period recommended by My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia. A surface can feel dry while material beneath a thick coat is still soft, so avoid stacking, wrapping, or transporting the vase immediately after painting.
Rank #3
- 【All sizes of art brushes】: The 10 sizes of multi-functional brushes have various shapes, making the mixing color easier, which is very suitable for artists, students, teenagers, children and painters at all levels. Wonderful Present ideas for friends and family who like painting!
- 【general brush set】: Professional paint brush can meet all your needs. Multifunctional brush is very suitable for watercolor, oil, gouache, acrylic painting, body, nail, face painting, miniature, model, ceramics, arts and crafts painting, etc.
- 【high quality process】: It is designed with anti falling bristles, anti-rust nickel ferrule and solid wood handle. You can use the brush to focus on the painting and always be creative.
- 【easy to maintain】: After using the brush, it is very convenient to clean the brush with warm soapy water and reshape the tip of the brush. Air dry the brush and place it on top of the top for long use.
- 【100% satisfaction guarantee - buy now】1 packs of set brushes, you can also get friendly customer service, any questions feel free to contact us, within 24 hours to help you! There is no risk in buying our paint brush kit.
Sealing may help prolong the finish, particularly if the vase will be outdoors or exposed to water. However, the documented tutorials do not establish a specific sealer, waterproofing performance, chip resistance, or food-contact safety. Treat the project as decorative. Do not assume the painted surface is washable, safe for drinking vessels, or suitable for continuous water exposure.
One tutorial experimented with epoxy to imitate a glazed surface and reported that the epoxy ran, requiring extra coats and touch-ups. That is one creator’s experience, not evidence that epoxy is necessary. If you try a topcoat, test it on a separate sample or hidden area first and follow the product’s own safety and curing instructions.
A more built-up option: joint compound and mesh tape
For pronounced relief, The Inspired Workshop describes covering a glass jug with fiberglass mesh tape and joint compound before painting. This method creates a separate sculpted skin rather than relying on paint alone.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
- Fit the mesh. Place fiberglass mesh tape over the areas where you want a built-up surface. Keep edges controlled so the compound does not create an unintended ridge.
- Embed it in compound. Spread a first layer of joint compound over the tape, pressing it into the openings so the mesh becomes part of the surface rather than sitting loose on top.
- Let the layer dry. The compound must dry before additional material is added. Thick applications take longer than thin ones, so judge by the actual surface rather than a fixed clock.
- Add subsequent coats. Build the relief with more compound until the profile suits the vase. Several controlled layers are easier to manage than one excessively thick application.
- Sand if desired. Once dry, lightly sand selected areas to soften peaks or even out transitions. Leave some irregularity if you want a hand-formed stoneware appearance.
- Paint the surface. Cover the dry compound with acrylic paint, then add color variation or an antique glaze if that look fits your design.
This route uses more materials, adds drying and cleanup steps, and changes the vase’s profile. It is useful when the goal is visible relief that can be shaped and sanded, while the baking-soda method is better when you want a quick, paint-led texture.
Rank #4
- Bates paint brushes come in a convenient 6 pieces with 3 flat and 3 angled bristle styles, including (1”, 1.5”, 2”) flat and (1.5”, 2”, 2.5”) angled bristles, perfect for tackling any surface painting or staining job.
- The sturdy natural bristles of each brush are designed to hold more paint, creating a smoother finish with fewer streaks and saving you time on the job.
- The lightweight wooden handles provide extra comfort and ease during long painting processes like walls, trims, cabinets, and doors.
- These versatile brushes are ready-to-use, easy to clean, and can be reused multiple times, making them economical as well as reliable tools for any painting project.
- Bates paint brushes can be used for both oil-based paints as well as latex stains and are ideal for home or commercial projects such as decks, fences or DIY painting jobs.
Choosing between the two methods
| Decision factor | Baking soda mixed into acrylic paint | Joint compound over mesh tape |
|---|---|---|
| Texture and relief | Fine to moderate texture controlled by powder quantity and dabbing. | More pronounced, built-up relief that can be shaped and sanded. |
| Materials | Vase, acrylic paint, baking soda, brush, and mixing container. | Vase, fiberglass mesh tape, joint compound, paint, brushes, and mixing supplies. |
| Process | Mix, test, apply multiple coats, and allow each to dry. | Attach mesh, apply and dry compound layers, optionally sand, then paint. |
| Finish control | Quick changes come from altering the mix, coat thickness, and brush motion. | Shape is controlled by compound placement and sanding before color is applied. |
| Documented durability evidence | Not established by controlled testing. | Not established by controlled testing. |
| Water resistance | Not established; treat as decorative. | Not established; treat as decorative. |
Neither documented method has controlled comparison data for long-term adhesion, longevity, or water resistance. Select based on the relief and workflow you want, not on an assumed performance advantage.
Troubleshooting common problems
The mixture is too runny
Add baking soda gradually, stir, and retest. A large addition all at once can create lumps and make the mixture harder to spread. If the paint itself is unusually thin, a small test patch will show whether the adjusted consistency still adheres evenly.
The surface looks almost smooth
Use a slightly thicker mix or dab rather than brush out the coat. Let the test patch dry before judging it; wet paint can conceal texture that becomes visible as it sets. A selective extra coat can add relief without rebuilding the entire vase.
The surface is lumpy or losing detail
Reduce the powder, thin the mixture with more paint, and apply a lighter coat. Around narrow openings and sharp transitions, use less material so the original silhouette remains readable.
Best Value
- 2 Inch Angled Paint Brush for Precision Cutting-In – Designed for clean, sharp lines around trim, baseboards, ceilings, corners, and detailed edge work. The perfect size for control and coverage.
- Value 3-Pack for Pros & DIY Projects – Includes three professional 2-inch angled sash brushes — ideal for contractors, remodelers, and homeowners tackling multiple rooms or repeat paint jobs.
- Smooth Results on Walls, Trim & Cabinets – Great for interior wall painting, cabinet edges, furniture projects, and trim work where a smooth finish and crisp control matter most.
- Works with Latex Paint, Oil-Based Paint & Stains – Premium synthetic filaments hold more paint, reduce streaks, and provide a clean finish with latex paints, oil coatings, and wood stains.
- Works with Latex Paint, Oil-Based Paint & Stains – Premium synthetic filaments hold more paint, reduce streaks, and provide a clean finish with latex paints, oil coatings, and wood stains.
Brush marks are too obvious
Change direction between coats and use short dabs over prominent lines. Do not repeatedly rework a coat as it begins to dry; that can pull up partially set material and create rough patches. Let it dry, then correct the area with a controlled subsequent coat.
The finish chips during handling
Stop using the vase until the finish has had the full drying period. Check whether the surface was clean before painting and whether the coat was unusually thick. The available tutorials do not provide a tested repair system or chip-resistance rating, so touch up a small area first rather than assuming a particular sealer will solve the problem.
Design and reuse ideas
The technique is especially useful for thrifted vessels whose shape is attractive but whose original color or gloss is not. A narrow bottle can become a quiet bud vase, while a broad jug gives dabbing and layered color more room to show. Keep the neck and base slightly less textured if you want a cleaner, furniture-like finish; concentrate heavier relief on the main body where light will reveal it.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Because the project is decorative, plan the display around dry arrangements, artificial stems, or an empty sculptural form unless you have independently verified a suitable waterproof system. The safest way to preserve the finish is to handle the vase gently, keep it away from continuous moisture, and avoid treating it as a food or drink container.
Final checklist
- Clean and dry the vase before mixing anything.
- Start near 2 parts acrylic paint to 1 part baking soda, then adjust gradually.
- Test the texture on a small patch before coating the whole vessel.
- Dab thick paint to retain relief instead of flattening it with long strokes.
- Wait for each coat to dry; 30 minutes is a tutorial example, not a universal cure time.
- Plan on three full coats, with a selective fourth only where extra dimension is needed.
- Let the finished vase dry for at least 24 hours before normal handling.
- Treat the result as decorative because waterproofing, washability, durability, and food safety are not established.
For most upcycling projects, baking-soda paint is the practical starting point: it needs few supplies, allows fast texture adjustments, and works on the vase you already own. Choose the joint-compound approach only when you specifically want a thicker, sculptable surface and are prepared for the extra preparation, drying, and finishing work.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
