Unicorn SPiT isn’t just for wood! In this post, I’ll show you exactly how to use Unicorn SPiT on glass to transform plain thrifted items into dazzling décor. This inside-glass painting technique lets the colours shine through and creates an effect that’s even more stunning when backlit. Whether you’re upcycling hurricane lamps or creating unique vases, you don’t need to be an artist to get amazing results.

Unicorn SPiT was originally created for care home residents to use as a vibrant wood stain. It’s now a cult favourite for DIYers, artists, and crafters around the world thanks to its rich pigments, blendability, and versatility. Once I discovered this glass technique, I couldn’t stop – no glass in my house was safe!

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How to Use Unicorn SPiT on Glass: Stunning DIY Decor from Thrifted Treasures

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Materials Needed

• Unicorn SPiT stain and glaze (various colours)
• Old or thrifted glassware (avoid frosted glass)
• Plastic syringe or dropper
• Fine mist water spray bottle
• PVC pipe or spray can lid (to elevate the glass)
• Gold metallic spray paint
• Mod Podge (optional for base)
• Clear polyurethane spray or sealer
• Gold leaf and adhesive size
• Disposable gloves
• Paper towel or drop cloth

Step 1: Prep the Glassware

Start by washing your glass thoroughly. You’ll want a clean, grease-free surface. Avoid frosted glass – it blocks the vibrancy of the stain. Give your Unicorn SPiT a good shake before use. I like to start at the top of the glass and work my way down.

Glass lamps and products decorated with Unicorn SPiT are for decorative use only. They are not heatproof or flame-safe and should never be used with real flame candles. To safely illuminate your creations, use LED tealights or battery-operated fairy lights only. Using open flames may cause the glass to crack or the finish to be damaged.

Step 2: Apply Unicorn SPiT Inside the Glass

Use a plastic syringe to apply your colours to the inside of the glass. I prefer using fewer colours to avoid over-blending. Inject the stain around the rim and let gravity take over.

To avoid straight lines, I rest my glass on a PVC pipe and rotate it gently as the stain flows.

If your stain is too thick and doesn’t run, add a little water. I dilute mine in a separate bottle – about 10ml at a time – to keep my main colours pure.

Step 3: Activate with Water Mist

Once the glass is coated, lightly mist the inside with water. Three fine sprays are usually enough. Place the glass upside down on paper towel so the excess can drip out. Don’t waste that leftover stain – scoop it up and reuse it on another piece!

As the Unicorn SPiT dries, it turns dull and powdery. Cracks will begin to form, adding beautiful texture. If it dries too quickly without cracking, re-mist to reactivate.

Step 4: Add Metallic Spray Paint

Once dry, spray metallic gold paint inside the glass to cover the stain. This enhances the contrast and makes the colours pop. Wear gloves while spraying to avoid fingerprints and wipe away any overspray from the outside immediately.

Leave the paint to dry, and touch up any areas you missed.

Step 5: Decorate the Base

To balance the colour, I painted the base of the lamp on the outside. First, coat it with Mod Podge and let it dry until clear. Then apply Unicorn SPiT – I used Midnight Blackness sparingly, as it’s highly pigmented.

I also sprayed the handles gold to match the inside. Once dry, seal all painted areas with two coats of clear polyurethane.

Step 6: Add Gold Leaf for Extra Glam

The base felt dull compared to the colourful lamp, so I jazzed it up with gold leaf.

Apply adhesive size to the areas you want gilded and wait until tacky. Press on the gold leaf and gently brush away excess. It’s messy but worth it!

The finished lamp shows a stunning vein effect.

Step 7: Finishing Touches

To really show off the effect, I placed battery-powered fairy lights inside. The result? A glowing, vibrant art piece that’s totally unique.

Just note – these are decorative only. If you want to turn them into lamps, use cool LED lights and ensure all surfaces are sealed. One of my favourite things about unicorn SPiT is that every project is unique.

Bonus Project Ideas

With leftover SPiT, I made a Unicorn SPiT planter from an old tree stump. For the planters, I sealed them with outdoor varnish.

It was definitely a full-on SPiTting day—I ended up adding Unicorn SPiT to every glass item I could find! No glass was safe in my house. I even made some cute little glass pots, lined them with clingfilm, and popped in a few succulents for a fun, faux plant display.

A quick tip: never use water with Unicorn SPiT unless the surface is fully sealed—and even then, there’s still a risk. Because Unicorn SPiT is water-reactive, moisture can seep under the sealed layer and cause it to lift or run. Luckily, I must have done a great job sealing mine, because six months later, the colours still look as vibrant as the day I made them

More unicorn SPiT ideas

I used unicorn spit to stain this wooden wall hanging I made using a shou sugi ban technique to burn the wood.

Unicorn SPiT is great if you are looking for something different. I used it to stain this trough table I made.

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