A variety of plants can be stored in clay pots.If you want to improve the appearance of your indoor or outdoor garden, try using paint or other decorations.buff and seal the clay container before applying paint.Adding paint or other odds and ends will make your clay pot a fun, decorative fixture in your home.
Step 1: Use an abrasive pad to scrub off clay.
Place your hands on the outer and inner edges of the clay pot.If you feel prickly areas, sand them down with a rough cleaning pad.If you don't have an abrasive pad on hand, you can use a coarse sheet of sandpaper.
Step 2: Dust and dirt can be wiped down with a damp paper towel.
Rub the clay pot with a paper towel.If there are any specks of dust, dirt, or grime that were created during the scrubbing and sanding process, focus on cleaning them off.If you want to give the pot a thorough clean, just remove any obvious specks.A baby wipe or damp cloth can work if you don't have a paper towel.
Step 3: The pot should be submerged in a bleach mixture for a day.
In a large bucket or basin, mix 9 parts of water with 1 part of bleach.Put your clay pot into the solution after putting rubber gloves on.The clay pot needs to be completely sanitized in 24 hours.Make sure the bleach solution is enough to cover and soak the pot.The process of soaking the pot helps rid it ofbacteria.
Step 4: The pot can be sprayed with 1-2 coats of sealant.
Shake a can of clear sealer and spray it over the pot's surface.The inner and outer surfaces of the container should be covered.Before applying an additional layer, follow the drying instructions on the can.When the pot is wet, apply sealant.If you soaked your container in a bleach solution, give it several hours to dry completely.You should work in chunks since you sealed the entire pot.The first thing to do is to spray the outer edge, rim, and bottom of the pot.
Step 5: Wait for the sealant to dry.
The time it will take for the product to dry is determined by the label on the can.Make any changes to your pot at the minimum amount of time.Primer and paints will not protect your pot if you don't wait for the sealant to dry.
Step 6: To make thin paints adhere better, apply a layer of primer.
A medium-sized paint brush is enough to paint a layer of primer over the outer and inner rim of the pot.Don't worry about painting the inside of the pot, since you will not be decorating that section.If you want to add paint or decorations to the pot, follow the instructions on the can.If you are painting your pot with thin, acrylic paint, Primer is not needed.You don't need to use a primer if you use chalk-based paint.Ignore this step if you aren't decorating your pot with primer.
Step 7: Paint is poured onto a plastic plate.
Take a bottle of paint and squeeze it onto a cheap plate.If you want to use all the colors in your pot design, repeat this process.Try to use more than one plate to store all of your paints.As you plan on using the paint, squeeze out as much as you can.If you are using blue as a base color and yellow for a decorative element, you should use more blue paint than yellow.Pick colors that match the design of the pot.If you want to paint a night sky on your container, use a dark navy or black paint.A clay pot can be colored with metallics and bold colors.
Step 8: Add some water to thin the paint.
Add water to your paint.The water will look thin and watery if you stir it into the paint with a foam brush.Adding too much water to the mixture could make it hard to apply the paint later on.To thin a small amount of paint, use 1-2 drops of water.
Step 9: A base layer of paint should be brushed onto the pot.
If you want to apply the product to your pot, you need to dip a foam or regular brush into 1 of your paints.Work in long, horizontal strokes, curving the paint along the bottom of your clay pot.As you make your way to the rim, continue painting from bottom to top.The inner rim of the pot will be visible to the naked eye if you paint it.If you want a smooth, consistent layer of paint, try to keep your paint strokes as long and smooth as possible.Try painting in small and short strokes if you want to create a more abstract theme.If you are painting a night sky on your pot, you will want to keep the base layer of blue smooth and consistent.
Step 10: Allow the paint to dry.
Read the label on your paint to find out how long it will take to dry.If you have to check the surface of the pot, wait 1 hour before you do so.Continue to follow the instructions on your paint supplies in order to create a beautiful and accurate paint job.Wait until the base layer is completely dry before applying another layer of paint.It's a good idea to paint over a wet base coat.
Step 11: A vibrant color can be created by adding extra layers of paint.
After the base coat dries, check the shade of the pot.Would you prefer a vibrant color or a deeper one?Once your container reaches the perfect color, apply an additional coat or two of paint.Allow each coat of paint to dry before adding a new one.If you want your pot to pop with color, you need more than one paint coat.
Step 12: A unique pattern can be created by applying 2 layers of paint.
After your base layer of paint dries, apply 1-2 coats of a darker paint, like black or gray, on top of the original color.Once the top coats are dry, use a wire brush to remove the darker paint.Take as much or as little of the top layer as you want.Make sure to let the first layer of paint dry before adding a second layer.
Step 13: Paint your pot with a thin paint brush.
If you want to sketch a design onto the newly painted surface of your pot, you need to dip a thin brush into the paint.Taking care not to smudge the design along the way, apply the paint in soft, delicate strokes.If you need to touch up the spot with more paint later on, try to use conservative amounts of paint.It's possible that foam brushes aren't the best option for detail work.Make sure to rinse and clean the thin brush when using multiple colors in your design.
Step 14: You can use painter's tape to create cool patterns.
Before putting painter's tape over your pot, you should cut or rip away the strips of tape.Do you want to split the pot into 2 colors or create a zig-zag shape?Press these sections of tape along the outer surface of your clay pot, then paint it.You can remove the strips once the paint is dry.If you are creating a zig-zag shape, you will need to rip away multiple short strips of tape.You only need 1 long piece of tape to encircle the entire pot if you are painting it in 2 simple colors.
Step 15: If you don't want to use tape, tie twine around the pot.
The base length of your twine can be determined by measuring the pot's circumference.Add a minimum of 6 in (15 cm) to the existing length once you have the measurement on hand.Use the extra section of string to tie your twine into a bow after you wind it around the pot.Hot glue can be used to better secure your twine.Wrap the twine around the pot several times before tying it into place.
Step 16: Try using a thick chalk paint.
You can use a thick chalk paint to cover your clay pot.You can use a foam brush or sponge to paint over the clay surface and inner rim.Draw over the surface with chalk once the paint is dry.You can leave fun messages and notes on your pots.If necessary, you can add a second layer of chalk.If you need to label plants, chalk paint can be useful.
Step 17: Use fabric to cover your pot.
You can surround your pot with a large piece of fabric.After applying a thin layer of craft glue to the lower half of the pot, use a foam brush.Put the fabric around the container carefully, applying glue in sections and pressing it into the pot.Attach fabric to the part of the pot that is not the inner rim with glue.It is safe to use mod Podge on pots.