Yeti cups are popular beverage cups because of their ability to keep drinks cold and hot for hours. Their durability, excellent insulation, and affordability makes Yeti cups the perfect insulated mugs for everyday use.
Unfortunately, these tumblers only come in several available solid colors. Thankfully, it’s not difficult to customize your own Yeti cup at home.
In this post, I’ve gathered the best products and tips on how to paint Yeti cups (and seal a painted tumbler). Using the right paint, sealer, and techniques, the process of painting a Yeti cup is super simple. This post recommends the best products to decorate and seal your Yeti cup so it can last for years to come.
Without further ado, here’s how to paint a Yeti cup (or any stainless steel tumbler)!
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How To Paint Yeti Cups
Best Products To Paint A Yeti Cup
1. Spray Paint
Spray paint is perfect for painting Yeti cups because it is easy to use and gives your tumbler a smooth, even texture. For painting stainless steel tumblers, I highly recommend using Krylon’s COLORmaxx Spray Paint and Primer for Indoor/Outdoor Use. This paint and primer combo contains a thicker paint with better coverage so you don’t have to worry about spraying multiple layers.
This is a great multi-purpose spray paint. It has fast dry time in 20 minutes or less, rust protection and fade resistance, and multiple fantastic color options. The product linked is in True Blue, but I recommend checking out their other amazing colors like Pumpkin Orange, Sun Yellow, Gum Drop, Catalina Mist, and Italian Olive!
After spray and drying, you can use stencils or paint pens to add designs to your Yeti cup. When coloring, it’s important to avoid painting areas that come in contact with your mouth like the lid. After painting and curing, I recommend sealing the spray paint with Mod Podge’s Dishwasher Safe Water-Based Sealer to protect your painted masterpiece.
Here’s how to paint Yeti cups with spray paint:
How To Paint A Yeti Cup With Spray Paint
- Wash the Yeti cup with dish soap and water, and dry completely. Use painter’s paint to tape areas you don’t want to paint. Work outside and place newspapers under the tumbler to catch drips.
- Shake the spray can vigorously for 2 minutes.
- Hold the can 6 to 8 inches away from the Yeti cup. In a quick side-to-side motion, spray a thin, even coat over the cup. For best results, paint multiple thin coats instead of one thick coat.
- Before adding additional coats, wait for the paint to dry completely (at least 20 minutes between coats depending on the product).
- If you are satisfied with the coverage, allow the painted Yeti cup to fully cure for 24 hours or more. Once the paint has cured completely, you can use a sealer.
2. Oil-Based Paint Pens
Paint pens are a great way to create artistic and colorful designs on your Yeti cups. They are easy to use and provide a smooth finish. Unlike regular markers, paint pens work on almost all surfaces including metal, stone, wood, leather, plastic, and glass.
To color your Yeti cup, I recommend using TFive’s Oil-Based Waterproof Paint Marker Pen Set. This affordable set comes with 12 versatile paint pens in rich colors. These paint pens have high coverage, are smooth on surfaces, and are great for both indoor and outdoor use.
Compared to traditional paint, paint pens dry quickly and are easy to use for beginners. There’s also no clean up! After painting, there’s also no need for baking or sealing. However, if you plan wash your Yeti cup in the dish washer, I recommend using Mod Podge’s Dishwasher Safe Water-Based Sealer to seal a painted tumbler.
Here’s how to paint a Yeti cup with paint pens:
How To Paint Yeti Cups With Paint Pens
- Wash the Yeti cup with dish soap and water, and dry completely. Use painter’s paint to tape areas you don’t want to paint.
- Before painting, shake the paint pen for a few seconds. Using a piece of paper, press the nib down a few times until the ink starts to flow out. To paint, use the paint pens on your Yeti cup like regular markers.
- Allow the paint to dry completely before using a new paint color or adding additional coats (about 1 minute depending on the product).
- When you are finished painting, allow the paint to cure completely for at least 24 hours before adding a sealer.
3. Acrylic Paint
If you want to create a custom color for your Yeti cup, your best bet is acrylic paint. Acrylic paints are easy-to-mix, allowing you to create endless custom shades. This type of paint also works well on a variety of surfaces including metal.
For painting Yeti cups, I recommend using this affordable Acrylic Paint Set from Fantastory. This set has 24 beautiful vibrant colors for under $20! The acrylic paints have a creamy consistency, excellent paint coverage, and dry quickly.
Note that most acrylic paints are quite thick. Unless you want a textured feel to your Yeti cup, I recommend thinning out the paint with water for a more liquid consistency. You should only dilute the paint with 30% or less with water—anything over 50% will give your paint a watery consistency. After painting, you should seal your paint with Mod Podge or another sealant.
Here’s how to paint Yeti cups and stainless steel tumblers with acrylic paint:
How To Paint A Yeti Cup With Acrylic Paint
- Wash the Yeti cup with dish soap and water, and dry completely. Use painter’s paint to tape areas you don’t want to paint. Place newspapers under the tumbler to catch drips.
- Select a paint color. If desired, mix acrylic paints until you have created a custom color.
- Optional: If the acrylic paint is too thick, dilute the paint with 30% or less with water. This will give the paint a smoother looking finish without impacting the coverage. Avoiding adding too much water—over 50% of water will give your paint a watery consistency.
- Using a paint brush, paint the acrylic paint over the Yeti cup in a thin, even coat.
- Allow the paint to dry completely before adding an additional coat or using a new paint color.
- When you are satisfied with the look of your Yeti cup, allow the paint to cure completely (24 hours or more) before adding a sealer.
How To Seal A Painted Yeti Cup Or Stainless Steel Tumbler
Now that you know how to paint a Yeti cup, it’s time to learn how to seal a painted tumbler. Sealing paint is important to prevent peeling and cracking, and ensure your creation will last for years to come. A good sealant will also ensure that the paint doesn’t wash off in the dishwasher or while hand washing.
For Yeti cups, I recommend using Mod Podge’s Dishwasher Safe Water-Based Sealer. Before sealing, make sure that the paint has completely cured onto the tumbler. If not, the paint will smudge and mess up your hard work.
Make sure to also tape the lid. Although non toxic, this sealer is not food safe and should not be used on areas that many come in contact with your mouth. Apply the sealant with a paint brush in thin layers.
Although this Mod Podge is dishwasher safe, I still recommend hand washing painted Yeti cups. Hand washing is more gentle on the tumbler and will help prolong the life of the paint.
How To Seal A Painted Tumbler With Mod Podge
- The paint should be cured completely before sealing. Work in well-ventilated area or outdoors. Place newspapers under the stainless steel tumbler to catch any drips. Re-tape the lid area as needed.
- Using a paint brush, apply a thin, even layer of Mod Podge over the painted Yeti cup.
- If needed, add a second coat after the first coat has dried completely. For best results, the Mod Podge should be applied as thinly as possible. A little product goes a long way!
- After sealing, allow your Yeti cup to cure completely for 28 days before hand washing or cleaning in the dish washer.
Summarized: How To Paint Yeti Cups
In this post, I’ve gathered the best tips on how to paint Yeti cups and stainless steel tumblers, as well as, how to seal paint. Here’s all the recommended products from this post in one convenient last:
Best Yeti Cup Paint
- Krylon COLORmaxx Spray Paint and Primer for Indoor/Outdoor Use
- TFive Oil-Based Waterproof Paint Marker Pen Set
- Fantastory Acrylic Paint Set
Best Yeti Cup Sealer
Conclusion
Yeti cups are popular beverage cups for their quality insulation and design. If you want to customize your own stainless steel tumbler or Yeti cup, it’s super simple using the right paint and sealant products!
Spray paint, oil-based paint pens, and acrylic paints are all great options to color and decorate your Yeti cup. To make your tumbler last for years to come, I highly recommending sealing the paint with a dishwasher safe water-based Mod Podge sealer.
- Related: How To Paint Mugs (4 Easy Ways)
I hope this post gave you some helpful ideas on how to paint Yeti cups and seal a painted tumbler. Good luck!