How to Paint Ceramic Planters

Refresh old ceramic planters with paint.

Update a ceramic planter with a fresh coat of paint to brighten up your yard. Paint is also a simple way to make several mismatching planters coordinate with each other and your home. Glazed ceramic surfaces require some preparation before painting, but can give new life to a shabby pot.

Things You'll Need

• Ceramic planter
• 220-grit sandpaper
• Cloth
• Latex primer
• Paintbrush
• Roller (optional)
• Latex paint
• High-gloss polyurethane

Instructions

1. Clean the planter thoroughly, inside and out.

2. Sand the glossy surface of the ceramic planter with 220-grit sandpaper to create a surface the primer and paint can stick to. Wipe all the dust off the planter with a clean cloth.

3. Apply latex primer to the outside of the planter with a paintbrush. If the planter is very large, use a roller to quickly get an even coat on flat areas. Allow the primer to dry.

4. Use the sandpaper to gently buff out any burrs or bumps in the dried primer. Do not remove the primer, merely smooth out any significant imperfections that would show in the final product.

5. Paint the planter with latex paint. Use two coats if necessary to get a solid application. Let the paint dry after each coat.

6. Seal the paint with at least two coats of a high-gloss polyurethane, letting the polyurethane dry between each coat. After the final layer, allow the planter to dry for 24 hours before use.

References

• King of How To; How to Paint Ceramic Tile; Jim Dugan
• Azilda Lions; Handyman: Painting Over Ceramic Tile; Brian Simkins