Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Paint A Terracotta Pot

I love terracotta pots. If placed cleverly at prominent spots in and around the house, they can enhance and give the decor a new dimension. It also reflects your creativity and a self-made creation will turn to be your pride and  piece de art.
Terracotta pots make great ornamental pieces for indoor use. You can also choose to place another potted indoor plant inside a large painted terracotta pot. You can use your imagination and choose various effects to make the pots attractive.

  • Terracotta pot
  • Water-based acrylic paints
  • Soft-bristle paintbrush
  • Sealer (liquid or spray)
  • Old newspapers
  • Sandpaper

Clean/Prep the Pot
  • Lay some old newspapers where you will be working to catch any drips or paint spills.
  • Clean the inside and outside of your terracotta pots with a cloth soaked in warm water.
  • Once the pots are completely dry, sand away any loose clay particles or rough edges, especially around the rim, base and outside.


 Apply the Paint
  • Seal the inside of your pots with oil- or water-based polyurethane before you commence painting. Allow one coat to dry completely before you apply another coat.
  • Once the inside dries completely, you can start painting the outside. Apply one coat of water-based acrylic paint to the pots and allow it to dry completely before you apply another coat. For best results, make sure you apply at least two to three coats of paint. Let your terracotta pots dry completely in the sun.
  • If you wish to decorate your pots, now is a good time. Attach embellishments of your choice with glue, or paint any design or pattern on your pots. You can find design patterns in bookstores or on the Internet. You can sketch the design onto a transfer paper, place it on a pot and paint it any color after outlining the image.
  • Allow the pots to dry thoroughly, preferably overnight.

Seal the Pot
  • After reviewing your paint job, apply a few coats of clear acrylic sealant to the outside of your terracotta pots. The sealant protects them from moisture in the soil and prevents the paint from bubbling, cracking and peeling.
  • Remember to let your pots dry thoroughly, for a few days to a week, before you place your plants in them.



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