How to Paint a Yeti Cup or Ozark Tumbler Easily!

Want to learn how to paint a yeti cup or stainless steel tumbler easily?? I’ve tried all different kinds of paint and in this tutorial I show you how to paint one with chalk paint!

Hi Friends! My last post was about applying vinyl decals to an Ozark Tumbler or Yeti but you can also paint them! 

There are a lot of different options on how to paint a yeti cup or Ozark tumbler and I have tried many.

I’ve read a lot about having to sand the cup because the paint won’t stick and that is true with a lot of paints.  The stainless steel is too slippery and the paint just runs off.  

Yes, I’ve had it happen, ugh!  *** (Update, I have found that spray paint works great now!  Scroll down to check out tumblers I’m spray painted.)

However, I have found that using chalk paint works!  It isn’t quite as smooth as using spray paint because if you get up close you can see some vertical paint lines but I kind of like the look.  It gives it some fun texture.  I used a paintbrush and a foam brush and they both came out the same.

How to Paint a Yeti Cup or Stainless Steel Ozark Mugs

You can buy Yeti mugs or Ozark Mugs by clicking here for 20 oz or here for 30 oz!

These are really easy to do.  Start by taping off the part you want to stay gray.  I do a line on the top and one on the bottom so that the person’s mouth is not on the paint.  

I just line up the tape with the edge of the cup and wrap around.  If you’d like to check out a video tutorial on how I tape off my tumbler click here.

Next clean off the cup with rubbing alcohol.  I just use a cotton round and wipe it all over.

I like using FolkArt Chalk Paint.  I simply applied the paint with a foam brush.

Apply all the way around.  Wait a little bit and apply another coat.  I do 2-3 coats depending on what it looks like.

I let the paint dry for just a few minutes and then remove the tape.  I don’t let it dry fully because sometimes when I pull off the tape it will pull some paint with it…eek!

I let that fully dry and then add my decals.  You can check out my video tutorial post here on how to apply vinyl decals to the cup.

On this cup, I applied Triple Thick gloss to it but I didn’t like the glossy finish.  

After it dried, I ended up putting a coat of Matte Mod Podge over it so it reduced the shine.  I added it over the paint so it doesn’t chip off and the bottom.

On the top rim, I didn’t add the sealant because I didn’t want mouths to be on the glue.  

A little leaked over, but I took out my favorite cleaner that gets everything off, Tea Tree Oil, and used a q-tip dipped in it and rubbed the glue off.  You can read my post here on the magic of Tea Tree Oil!

Here’s the finished product.  I love how it came out!  Please share if you have tricks on painting mugs.

Update, I have found a way to spray paint a stainless steel mug that works perfectly!   Check out my post here on how to paint a Yeti cup or Ozark Tumbler with spray paint like these ones:

If you want to add some sparkle to your mug, check out my post here on how to spray paint a stainless steel mug with glitter!

If you want to learn how to make the ultimate glitter tumbler with epoxy click here and make sure to browse through my roundup of all my personalized tumbler ideas.

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Have a great day!