If you’re looking for a fun, easy DIY project that you can finish in an afternoon, look no further. Painting terra-cotta pots is a terrific way to turn a plain planter into a vibrant accent for your home or yard. It’s likewise a great way to provide your plants and herbs a quite new home or produce a thoughtful handcrafted gift for a buddy. Our detailed tutorial will teach you how to make a cool dipped result for a modern-day look, however the sky’s the limit when it pertains to your flowerpot design. Terra-cotta pots are affordable and readily offered in a lot of garden centers and home products stores and you can discover the remainder of the supplies needed in your local craft shop. Now get your paintbrush and begin!
Before You Get Started
Acrylic craft paint is the best choice for painting clay pots due to the fact that of its highly pigmented formula. Colors will be brilliant and saturated, especially if you utilize guide and numerous coats of paint. Coating the painted surface area with spray shellac assists seal the surface and make it water-resistant so that you can utilize your pots outside.
Although terra-cotta is a durable product, it’s finest to bring the pots in when the weather condition gets cold as they can crack in freezing conditions. To clean painted clay pots, carefully wipe them down with a moist fabric as needed.
How to Make a Painted Terra-Cotta Pot
Supplies Needed
Terra-cotta pot and saucer
Microfiber cloth
Kraft paper or newspapers
Wide elastic band
Artist’s paintbrush
All-surface primer
Acrylic craft paint
Aluminum foil
Masking tape
Spray shellac
X-Acto knife
Step-by-Step Directions
Follow these simple step-by-step directions to make your own painted clay pots for your preferred herbs or houseplants.
Action 1: Prepare Your Workspace
Initially, prepare your work area and make certain you are in a well-ventilated area. Line your work surface with Kraft paper or newspapers and get all your supplies out so they’re ready to grab when you need them.Step 2: Clean the Pot
Ensure that the terra-cotta pot and dish are both tidy. Get rid of any cost or stickers if the pot is brand-new in addition to any dust or dirt if you are repurposing an older pot. Wipe it down with a wet microfiber fabric and let it dry totally.
Action 3: Create a Design
If you desire to develop a dipped result, flip the terra-cotta pot upside down so the bottom of the pot is facing up. Or avoid the rubber band entirely and freehand a style onto the terra-cotta pot, in which case you can avoid this step.
Step 4: Apply a Coat of Primer
Utilizing a paintbrush, use an even coat of guide to the location below the elastic band or the sections developed by numerous elastic band, and let it dry entirely. Use an even coat of primer to the inside and sides of the saucer, then let it dry completely.
Step 5: Start Painting
When the primer on the terra-cotta pot and dish has dried totally, you’re ready to start painting. If you picked to go with a paint-dipped style, begin to apply a thin coat of acrylic craft paint on the primed area below the rubber band. If you used numerous rubber bands, use several paint colors in the primed areas they area off. Do the exact same with the saucer, covering the primed location with an even coat of paint. You might need 2 or 3 coats of paint to achieve an intense, saturated color, but ensure to let each layer of paint dry completely before using the next, as this will ensure a smooth surface and avoid flaking.
Action 6: Wrap Pot in Aluminum Foil
Next, tear off a piece of aluminum foil and wrap the unpainted half of the terra-cotta pot with it, using the rubber band as your guide. Usage masking tape to secure the foil in location and to hide any spaces between the rubber band and the foil that would expose the terra-cotta pot surface area.
Action 7: Apply Coat of Shellac
Holding it from the recommended range, spray two to three coats of shellac onto the painted portion of your terracotta pot, then do the same with the dish. Let them both dry completely. The shellac creates a smooth finish and includes a protective layer to seal the paint. Anytime you work with paint or shellac, make certain that you are in a well-ventilated area and use a face mask.Step 8: Remove Aluminum Foil
Using an X-Acto knife, thoroughly score the paint along the entire length of the rubber band to gently loosen it. Location the painted clay pot inside the dish and it’s all set to be utilized around your home!
Additional Painting Options
If you want to go a step even more, utilize numerous rubber bands and paint colors for a crisscross design or take a paintbrush and freehand polka dots, stars, or other shapes over the top of the painted pots.
