Asked on May 28, 2017

Any advice on using old flower pots?

Gil4420701
by Gil4420701
I thought to empty some of my old grotty pots, scrub and then paint them with oil paint. Do I need to paint them inside and out and would I need a specialicon paint please?
  8 answers
  • Shoshana Shoshana on May 28, 2017

    This Hometalker used DecoArt Curb Appeal Paint and it came out beautifully- check it out:

    http://www.hometalk.com/diy/build/planters/sponge-painting-terracotta-pots-for-summer-28908251

  • Lynnette Bowden Lynnette Bowden on May 28, 2017

    Make sure to clean pots well with your choice of agents, eco friendly or chemica. Then I used latex spray enamel (soap/water cleanup). Spray both inside and outside especially if pots will sit outside in colder climate. After spraying you can stencil or hand paint a design using any latex or chalk paint. Finally I used a clear acrylic sealer x 3 coats making sure to dry well in between. Mine have lasted 5 years thus far. Good luck and have fun!

  • Marcie Marcie on May 29, 2017

    Actually, I love this natural look! Spray on a bit of moss spray.... very cool!

  • Morgan Morgan on May 29, 2017

    I would not recommend using oil based paint on old pots. Oil based paints are wonderful for use on interior walls although they do have volatile compounds that some people are very sensitive to these days. Oil based paints won't adhere to plastics or fired ceramic pots and it won't dry well on concrete or terracotta - what ever the wind blows in will stick to it long before the paint is dried.


    You need to use paint suitable for the surface you're planning on painting. There are nifty spray paints that work well for plastic; others are formulated for concrete, etc. This is a case for picking the right materials for the job.





  • Nan2108475 Nan2108475 on May 30, 2017

    Just clean and use as is. Looks great that way!

  • Beachem2015 Beachem2015 on May 30, 2017

    Krylon has some great super-adhering paint for just this thing. I've repainted all my flower pots Glossy Black and they look wonderful!

  • Judy Cochrane-Brodie Judy Cochrane-Brodie on May 31, 2017

    I just picked up some broken clay pots. I have ferns and hostas, and put the broken pieces in front to make it appear they are growing out of the pots.

  • I paint old pots all the time, but not the insides. I only paint the outside of the pots.