By Show Me Step by StepPublished
Based on a video by How Do You? DIY.
A freshly cut bottle or jar has a rim that can slice a finger. Sanding it smooth turns it into a drinking glass, a candle holder or a planter you can handle without worry. The How Do You? DIY channel shows the whole job by hand with wet/dry sandpaper and a tub of water. No power tools. It takes about half an hour and the rim ends up glossy.
Dry sanding glass throws fine dust into the air, and that dust is bad to breathe. Water traps it as a gray slurry you can wipe away. It also keeps the paper from clogging, so each sheet cuts faster and lasts longer. Keep a tub beside you and dip the paper often. If the paper feels dry or squeaks, add water.
The coarse 80 grit stage does most of the work. It levels the uneven cut and takes off the sharp inner and outer edges. Every grit after that only removes the scratches left by the one before. That is why the polishing stages go much faster. Stop at 400 grit for a soft frosted rim, or carry on to 2000 for a clear, shiny one.
| Grit | Job | Rough time |
|---|---|---|
| 80 | Level the cut, remove sharp edges | 10 to 15 min |
| 150 to 400 | Remove scratches, frosted finish | 1 to 2 min each |
| 1000 to 2000 | Polish to a gloss | 1 to 2 min each |
Turn the bottle a quarter turn every so often while you sand. Held in one position, your hand presses harder on one side and the rim comes out lopsided. Draw a few marker lines on the glass if it helps you track the turns. Press down firmly but steadily. Pressing harder does not speed things up much and makes chips more likely.
Beer and wine bottles become tumblers, vases and votive holders. A cut jar makes a tea light lantern. Smoothed bottle bottoms work as small dishes for rings or succulents. A set of matching tumblers from the same brand of bottle makes a thoughtful handmade gift.
Need a cut to start with? Follow how to cut a glass bottle. For flat sheet glass, see how to use a glass cutter and how to grind stained glass. Once your tumblers are smooth, etching glass adds a frosted design.
8 steps · about 4 minutes.Check off each step as you go and your progress saves automatically.
Look closely at the cut. A freshly separated bottle never has a flat top. The rim dips and rises, and both the inner and outer edges are sharp enough to cut skin. Handle it by the body, not the rim. Put on safety glasses and a dust mask now. Sanding glass makes fine dust, even when you keep everything wet.
Tip
Planning more than one cut on a bottle? Score all the lines first, then cut, sand and polish one before making the next.
Lay a sheet of 80 grit wet/dry sandpaper flat on your work surface, grit side up. Pour or splash plenty of water over it. The paper should stay wet through the whole sanding stage, so keep a tub of water within reach. Water holds the glass dust down as a paste and stops it from floating into the air.
Tip
Regular sandpaper falls apart when wet. The back of the sheet must say wet/dry or waterproof.
Turn the bottle upside down and set the cut rim on the wet paper. Hold the sheet still with one hand. With the other, press down and move the bottle in small circles. Give it a quarter turn every so often so the pressure spreads evenly. Holding it one way the whole time wears one side down faster and leaves the rim lopsided.
Tip
Draw a few marker lines down the bottle so you can see how far you have turned it.
Every few minutes, lift the bottle and wipe the rim dry with a paper towel. The sanded parts look frosted and flat. Any shiny spots or dips are still low and need more time on the paper. Keep sanding and checking until the frosted band runs all the way around the rim in an even ring. This stage takes the longest.
Tip
Hold the rim against the light. Gaps between the rim and a flat surface show the low spots.
Once the top is flat, round off the corners. Wrap a wet piece of the 80 grit paper over the rim and rub it along the outer edge, turning the bottle as you go. Then work the inner edge the same way. Go slowly here, since your fingers are close to the glass. Stop when no part of the rim feels sharp.
Tip
Fold the paper over a finger for the inside edge. It reaches farther into narrow necks.
The first stage leaves a gray slurry of glass and sandpaper grit on the table. Wipe it all up with a damp paper towel before you move on. Loose coarse grit under a finer sheet will scratch the rim again and undo your work. Rinse the bottle too. Then lay down a sheet of 150 grit paper and wet it.
Tip
Wipe the slurry with a damp towel and throw the towel away. Do not rinse glass grit down the sink.
Each polishing stage follows the same pattern. Sand the flat rim in circles for a minute or two, then sand the inner and outer edges. Wipe the rim dry and look at it. Move up to 220, then 320, then 400 grit. Every stage removes the scratches from the last one, so the rim gets smoother and less cloudy each time.
Tip
Stop at 400 grit if you like a soft frosted rim. It feels smooth on the lips already.
For a glossy finish, keep going with 1000 grit wet/dry paper, then 2000. Use the same routine: rim first, then the edges, plenty of water. The 1000 grit makes the biggest jump in shine. The 2000 grit adds a little more polish on top. Rinse and dry the bottle, and it is safe to drink from.
Tip
Wash the finished glass in warm soapy water to clear any fine grit left inside.
Keep going
How to Make Concrete Pavers in Any Size
How to Smooth Cut Glass Edges by Hand With Wet Sandpaper
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E6000 Craft Adhesive, Clear (3.7 oz)
The industrial-strength craft glue that bonds glass, wood, ceramic, metal, fabric, and concrete. The one adhesive most craft projects reach for.
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Gorilla Dual-Temp Full-Size Hot Glue Gun
Dual-temp so it handles delicate florals and heavy materials alike. A precise nozzle and built-in stand make it the everyday craft-table gun.
OLFA
OLFA 18" x 24" Self-Healing Cutting Mat
The pro-standard cutting surface. Gridlines for square cuts, self-healing so blades never leave grooves, and big enough for paper, fabric, and leather.
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