How To Paint Terra Cotta Pots - Rustic Orchard Home (2024)

FAQs

How To Paint Terra Cotta Pots - Rustic Orchard Home? ›

First, scuff up the terra cotta pot using sand paper or a sanding sponge. Then, tape off your pot and spray the top lip of the pot with the Metallic Spray Paint. Remove the tape and lightly spray the rest of the pot to even out the coverage.

Make a mixture of chalk paint and water and paint directly on the pot with a brush. Dip an old cloth or brush into your thinned out paint and apply directly on to the terracotta pot surface. Blot with a paper towel as needed to help lessen the appearance of brush strokes.

All paints work for the job, but we prefer to use acrylic craft paint or spray paint, both work well on terracotta pots. Thinning the paint out with a little water helps spread it quickly and easily. This is an optional step, but it really helps spread the paint over the pot when applying the base coat.

Before painting, make sure you remove any dirt or tags from the pot and let it dry completely. Immerse the pot in warm water to loosen any grime. If necessary, sand the pot with fine-grit sandpaper to smooth any rough ridges. Prime the inside and outside of the pot with 1-2 coats of the clay pot sealer and let it dry.

To age clay pots, mix two cups of garden lime with 1 1/2 cups water. Stir thoroughly (and continue stirring throughout the entire time). With a sponge brush, paint over pots with a thick coat of the lime. Add a second coat if necessary.

DIY Whitewashed Terra-Cotta Pot: Partially Remove Paint

Use paper towels to gently wipe off the paint, creating the whitewashed look. Depending on how “washed” you'd like your pots to appear, you can continue wiping the paint off until you get the shade you are looking for.

If intending to use the painted flower pot outside, opt for FolkArt Outdoor Sealer, available as a brush-on sealer in three finishes: Matte, Satin, and Gloss; the polyurethane-based sealer provides the maximum durability for outdoor projects.

Most acrylic paint brands are relatively water resistant. However repetitive water exposure and other elements can affect the life of your acrylic painting. By applying a layer of varnish your acrylic paint will be protected from water for longer.

The most important part is the sealant. Terracotta is very porous, hence why it dries the soil out so fast, but because of this the paint can leak through to the roots and poison your plant. Similarly, the paint on the outside of the pot can easily get chipped off. Sealant solves both of these problems.

It's a good idea to seal terra-cotta pots after you paint them to keep water from seeping through the paint. There are self-sealing acrylic paints available, so if you use those, there's no need to seal.

What happens if you don't soak terracotta pots? ›

When you don't pre-soak terra cotta pots, the plant will dry out faster. "This isn't a huge deal—as long as you are attentive to your plant and water it when the soil is dry enough," Waldman says. But it will help you conserve water and lower the maintenance level of your plant.

We recommend giving glazed surfaces a light sand with 150 grit sand paper or a black Jolie Sanding Sponge, which can help the paint adhere better. Apply a thin first coat of paint and allow it to dry for a day, then apply additional coats.

We used Rust-Oleum 2X Ultra Cover Spray Paint and a Testors Craft Paint Pen to give an ordinary terra cotta pot a celestial vibe. If needed, clean your terra cotta pots with Krud Kutter Original Cleaner and Degreaser and a lint-free cloth. Make sure pots are fully dry before painting.

Next, apply the chalky-based paint to your terracotta pots. One good coat will do. I used dark grey for the base color. Use an inexpensive chip brush for this project if you want to save your good paintbrushes.

Everything from yogurt to buttermilk to chalky lime. Most of the recommended methods still can require anywhere from 6 to 8 weeks to see the patina develop. Today I am going to show you how to age a terracotta pot in just two easy steps!