How to Paint and Distress Mason Jars Using DIY Chalk Paint

I’ve had these mason jars sitting on the top of our cupboards for about six months now.

I had no idea what to do with them until I came across this tutorial.  I love the look of the painted and distressed mason jar.

Materials

• Mason jars
• Chalk paint (or paint and Plaster of Paris if you want to make your own)
• Paint brush
• Sandpaper

How to Make Mason Jars

Start by washing your mason jars to help your paint better adhere to the jar.  I used hot, soapy water, but I’ve also seen recommendations to use rubbing alcohol.  Use whatever is most convenient.

I’ve used chalk paint before in my Baby Shower Gift Bucket, so I’m familiar with the process, but I also used this tutorial for a specific recipe.  The tutorial references several different ways of making chalk paint, but I already had Plaster of Paris, so I used that.

To make chalk paint, mix a smooth paste of water and Plaster of Paris until there aren’t any lumps or grains in the mix.  Use the ratio of 3 parts paint to one part Plaster of Paris mixture.

Mix the paint.  If it seems too grainy, add water a little bit at a time and mix until smooth.

Use a paintbrush to apply the first coat of chalk paint to the sides and top of your mason jars.  It’s okay if it’s streaky…that will be fixed in later coats.

Let the paint dry for at least 12 hours (if you are using pre-mixed chalk paint, you can wait a shorter amount of time).  Add a second coat.

My second coat was kind of grainy and I’m guessing it’s one of two reasons: I didn’t wait 12 hours and the second coat flaked off parts of the first OR I didn’t mix my Plaster of Paris well enough.  I didn’t really mind because I was planning on sanding them anyways, but just an FYI.  As you can see in the picture above, I wasn’t super careful about painting perfectly because the distressing would make them imperfect anyways.  I did, however, want good coverage and I didn’t get that with two coats, so after 12 hours I added a third.

Let the final coat dry another 12 hours before you start distressing your jars.

To distress, I used medium-grit sandpaper, but you could use whatever you have lying around.  Cut your sandpaper into long rectangles and fold them in half.  This will make them easier to hold and use.

Sand all raised parts of your mason jar.  I was surprised that I could put a good amount of pressure on my sanding without doing damage to the jar.  I started with the threads:

Then I sanded the sides:

I finished off with the fruit picture and the Ball logo on the front and back.  Then I added small scuff marks to the sides.

Decide what you’d like to display in your mason jars and show off those little beauties!