If you have a lot of plants, both indoors and outdoors, you may be tired of seeing the look of red clay pots. Although the process can take a few days due to the drying time, painting clay pots is easy to do and can provide a pretty additional decoration. You will need to soak and scrub the pot before painting it. Also, it's important to seal the pot so it doesn't get damp and use a primer as a base coat. You can paint the pots in simple colors or complex designs, and coat them with protective paint to make the pots resistant to outdoor weather conditions.
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Part 1 of 3: Cleaning the Pot
Step 1. Sand the pot to smooth out any rough areas
If possible, sand the pot outdoors (on the grass) to reduce litter indoors. If you are sanding pots indoors, or in the garage, line the work area with newspaper to keep clay dust from contaminating the room. In addition, it helps you also wear old clothes.
- You don't need to sand the pot for too long. Just check the parts that are protruding or rough. If there are no protruding or rough spots, you don't need to sand the pot.
- If the pot has protruding parts, you can leave it alone if you want to add texture to the pot's appearance after painting.
Step 2. Soak the pot for an hour
This soaking process is good for new pots because it can loosen the sticker that is attached so that it is easy to remove. Soaking is also good for pots that have been used because it can lift dirt or dust. If the pot doesn't have a sticker and you think it's clean, you don't need to soak it if you want.
- While you may need to dry the pot at various stages of the painting process, while soaking it, you can make the most of the time you have by gathering other equipment and preparing the work area.
- If you don't want to soak it for an hour, check the pot every 10 minutes. If the pot feels clean, move on to the next step.
Step 3. Scrub the pot with a brush
The soaking process helps to remove any adhering dirt, but pots that have been used before may need to be scrubbed to thoroughly clean. The paint used will not stick or evenly if there is still dirt or dust on the surface of the pot.
- To scrub the pot, you may only need a soft brush so don't brush too vigorously. However, if there is stubborn dirt, you can use a wire brush for a stronger brush.
- If you scratch the pot while scrubbing it, you don't need to worry as a coat of paint will cover the scratch and flatten it out.
Step 4. Dry the pot
The paint will not stick when used on a pot that is still wet. Therefore, let the pot dry. If the weather is sunny, place the pot outdoors to dry faster. The drying time of the pot will depend on the size of the pot itself.
The drying process can take several hours. Therefore, plan this step in advance so you don't waste time waiting
Part 2 of 3: Coating the Pot with a Waterproof Coating and Primer
Step 1. Place the newspaper on the floor
If you're painting indoors (on a dining table or kitchen counter, for example), make sure you protect the surface of the work area from spilled paint with newsprint, plastic sheet, or cloth. Protect the area where the pot will be and any other areas that may be exposed to paint.
If you're painting your pots outdoors, you'll still need to protect the hard surfaces so the paint doesn't stain anything
Step 2. Place the pot upside down on top of the jar or bottle
This way, the paint won't rub off or rub off when you hold the pot. You can balance the position of the pot by holding the bottom of the pot (which is now at the top) because the bottom of the pot does not need to be painted. Use an object large enough to balance the pot.
- You can use tall glass jars, instant soup cans, peanut butter jars, or other cylindrical containers. The size of the jar needed depends on the size of the pot. If you want to paint a large pot, this technique may not be the right one to follow.
- Although not mandatory, the painting process will be easier when the pot is placed on top of the jar/bottle than when you have to hold it while painting.
Step 3. Cover the pot with a waterproof coating
For the easiest application, use a spray product designed for concrete or brick. Because clay pots absorb water, this coating product creates a barrier between the plant (including the soil) and the paint outside the pot. Usually, you can find waterproof coating products in the paint segment of hardware stores.
- It's a good idea to do the coating outdoors, or at least in a garage or well-ventilated room. Spraying using a product like this is not safe if it is done indoors.
- Drying the pot can take up to 24 hours. To be sure, check the product instructions.
- Coat the inside and outside of the pot. If you don't coat the inside of the pot, water will seep into the pot when you water the plant and cause the paint to come off or peel off the surface of the pot.
- If the pot will only be used as decoration and will not be used to grow plants, you should not cover it with a waterproofing layer.
Step 4. Paint the pot with an all-purpose primer
You can use a certain primary paint color, especially if you want to match the paint that will be used. If not, you can use a white primer. The primer paint helps the painting paint to be used stick more firmly to the surface of the pot. In addition, primer paint can mask the original red color of the clay.
- Coat the entire outer surface of the pot with primer paint, and don't forget to paint the inside about 2 centimeters from the lip of the pot.
- Although some sources recommend painting the underside of the paint, it's a good idea not to coat the bottom of the pot with primer or paint, as this can interfere with pot drainage.
Part 3 of 3: Painting the Pot and Protecting It with an Acrylic Coating
Step 1. Use a foam brush to paint the pot
Bristles usually leave streaks of texture so use a foam brush to coat the pot evenly. You may need to use several brushes of different sizes, especially if you want to make a variety of patterns on the pot.
You can still use a bristle brush if you want. However, the foam brush helps to coat the surface of the pot more evenly. You can use a bristle brush for small details
Step 2. Make a pattern of lines or segments of a certain color using adhesive tape
You can paint the pot one solid color, but if you want a more interesting variation or design, a special adhesive tape for painting can be the perfect medium. In this variation, you will need to apply adhesive tape to the pot and paint the pot (including the adhesive tape) to create the first coat of paint. After the paint dries, remove the adhesive tape and paint the part of the pot that was previously covered with tape.
- You can apply adhesive tape to the painted parts of the pot to make a sharp difference between the colors.
- Another option you can try is to paint the entire pot with the first color, then create the desired design using adhesive tape, and repaint the pot so that the tape-covered part of the pot retains its original color (in this case, the first color).
Step 3. Paint the outside of the pot and cool the inside to a depth of about 2-5 centimeters
You can use any paint as the main coat. To save costs, you can use leftover paint that is available at home. You can use exterior or interior paint, as well as acrylic paint for crafts. If you want, you can also use spray paint.
- Cover the entire outside of the pot, except for the bottom. Actually, you can just coat the bottom of the pot, but a layer of paint that sticks to it can interfere with the drainage of the pot.
- In addition, coat the walls in the pot deep enough because the soil that is inserted will not reach the lip of the pot. You certainly don't want the original color of the clay on the walls in the pot to show.
Step 4. Add additional coats of paint if necessary
You may need to coat the pot with paint several times to get an even color, depending on the paint type, color and thickness of the first coat of paint. Clay pots absorb paint, so it's possible that one coat of paint isn't enough to get an even color.
- Make sure each coat of paint has dried before you add a new coat. If the paint is still wet, the new coat will pull or lift the first coat of paint off the surface of the pot.
- You can use a different color for the second layer if you want to get a darker or muted look. If you want to use a different color, try diluting a second coat of paint with water to make the paint more transparent.
Step 5. Finish painting by creating a design
Show your creativity by painting lines, shapes, or pictures on the pots. If you're using a pot for a large plant with dangling leaves, you may not need to make a detailed drawing.
At this stage, you can create a simple or elaborate pot display, as desired. For example, you could create an elaborate garden painting or paint plant names in pretty letters
Step 6. Spray acrylic coating on the pot
Acrylic coatings make the paint coat last longer, without causing it to peel off the surface of the pot or crack. This product is useful, especially if you want to place the pot outdoors. Wait for the entire coat of paint to dry completely before spraying the acrylic coating.
- This step is not mandatory, but a coat of paint will not last long without the protection of the acrylic coating.
- There are many options for coating products that can be used, but choose products carefully if you want to place your pots outdoors because not all products are designed for all weather.
- Let the pot sit and dry for a few days before you put the plant in it.
