Mercury glass plates are so pretty – but SO expensive! That’s ok, because I figured out a DIY solution. And if you make several, you can put them all together for a hanging plate display that is so simple yet so gorgeous! Want to make some?
How to make Mercury Glass Plates
*this post contains affiliate links for your convenience*
Supplies:
- Glass plates (these are fairly easy to find at thrift stores – but you can also find them HERE)
- black spray paint
- Looking Glass spray paint (I’ve tried others, this kind works best)
- spray bottle with plain water
- paper towels
Clean the plates well, flip them over to work on the back side of them, spray them with Looking Glass spray, and immediately spritzed them with water. The paint takes a few seconds to oxidize and turn into silver, and you have to spray the water on them before it turns. Just have your spray bottle at the ready when you spray the paint. Do one plate at a time to make sure that you get the water on in time. Give the paint a 30 minutes to dry, then dab off the water with a paper towel. After the paint was completely dry, give the plates a couple of coats of black spray paint to make them opaque. If you hang them be sure to use the metal style plate hangers with protective tips to keep your plates from scratching too easily.
Let the plates dry 24 hours before you hang them – and you’ll have beautiful artwork out of thrift store plates.
Don’t want to hang them? Use this same technique for charger plates – just be sure to protect the table to prevent any spray paint from accidentally scratching off the bottom.
Dawn says
November 19, 2012 at 12:19 pmLove it Gina, I used it one time to make an old 9 light window look like an old mirror on the side of a potting shed.
Pink Overalls @DIY Home Staging says
November 19, 2012 at 1:22 pmI think Mercury glass anything is ideal for Christmas decorating. You’ve encouraged me to try this because the front of the plates stay smooth enough to take removable decals that I could change on whim or with the seasons. Nice!
Coreen ~ 58 Vintage Faire says
November 19, 2012 at 6:43 pmI love this post. I’ve just started my own Looking Glass project…I hope it turns out as well as yours. Also, I just read your post on the Graphics Fairy; transferring images with freezer paper. What I’m wondering is if you know if it’s washable?…Thanks Coreen
Deanne Langford says
November 19, 2012 at 7:40 pmi would love to use this, but Amazon won’t ship it to Australia and to buy it here would cost me $35 for one can- $20 for the can and $15 for shipping. We have no similar products here- so frustrating!
Julie Boarder says
November 19, 2012 at 11:36 pmYour plates look great. I did a little glass vase/dish I was given and it’s okay, but it’s hard to spray it inside enough to make it opaque. I will try the black on top, thanks for the suggestion! We can’t buy it in Canada either so I have to buy the Looking Glass paint when I’m in the US on holiday 🙁
Lori says
October 24, 2018 at 8:28 pmI just found it in the craft section of Walmart! (Canada)
Patty (Patty's Pretty Things) says
November 20, 2012 at 12:43 amI just bought the looking glass spray and am dying to make something! Thank you for the tutorial. Your wall of plates is beautiful!
Amy Marshall says
November 20, 2012 at 12:44 amI have a can of looking glass spray I have yet to use. The plates look great and would make great “goodie plates” for teachers, friends, and family. Thanks for the inspiration!
Nancy says
November 20, 2012 at 1:02 amVery nice Gina..I also like that you can change them for different seasons or holidays..
Restoration House Interiors says
November 20, 2012 at 8:01 amThanks Gina! Such a fun project! Thanks for sharing! You should share this over at my place for Milk Paint and More Mondays! Trying to get the word out about the party…potentially so much fun!
Stephanie says
November 20, 2012 at 12:21 pmThis is so awesome – thanks so much for shairng – I’m doing this project ASAP!!!
Lisa Hogan says
November 20, 2012 at 1:12 pmI am addicted to mercury glass. I love this project. I would love to find large plates that I could use as chargers on my holiday table!What a great look that would be. I think I will have to take a trip to dollar tree soon .:)
Jeannie-JB says
November 20, 2012 at 2:41 pmI’ve used it and I plan on using it again this Christmas. Thanks for the tutorial.
Fort Western Stores says
November 20, 2012 at 8:33 pmWhat a cool idea! This is one of those things that seems really simple, but I never would have thought of it.
Cait Geddes says
November 21, 2012 at 9:29 pmI have an obsession with mercury glass and have spend a lotta cash! Wish I knew about this a few months ago! hahhaha. Thanks so much for sharing! I’m going to try this out this weekend. 🙂 Cait
MyHouseMyCanvas.com
Beth says
November 26, 2012 at 3:42 pmThanks for a great tutorial and I just love the look of these plates!
Kayla Myers says
November 30, 2012 at 9:24 pmLove this too! I’ve seen the mercury vases tutorial that involved inegar or something, but I like your version better, 1 less step! Thanks for sharing, very cute!
Dewdrop Gardens says
December 1, 2012 at 12:43 pmThese look beautiful! I’ve pinned and hope to try this one day. Thanks!
Debbie 🙂
Shannon Fox says
December 22, 2012 at 4:22 amThey look great! I’ve got a can waiting to be put to use 🙂
Happy Holidays!!
Loretta Andrade says
November 24, 2013 at 8:23 amIt is so beautiful thanks for sharing
Sue's Akorn Shop says
December 15, 2014 at 9:28 amSo excited to try this!!!