How to Repaint Resin or Fiberglass Pots

Cleaning and sanding are first necessary before spray painting.

Flowerpots are made from a variety of mediums including terra cotta, clay, ceramic, wood and plastic polymers such as fiberglass and resin. After spending time outdoors subjected to the elements, any flowerpot’s color can begin to fade. If your pots are of the fiberglass or resin variety, restoring the color is possible, using a spray paint designed for use on plastic. Unlike ceramics and wood, resin and fiberglass require some preparation for the paint to stick.

Things You'll Need

• Ammonia-based cleaner
• Soft cleaning cloths
• Fine-grit sandpaper
• Tarp, old sheet or newspaper
• Plastic spray paint

Instructions

1. Remove any dirt or debris from the surface of the flowerpot, using a soft cleaning cloth and an ammonia-based cleaner. Buff the flowerpot dry with a second cloth.

2. Give the entire surface of each flowerpot a light sanding with fine-grit sandpaper. A light sanding to rough up the surface of the resin or fiberglass is all that is necessary.

3. Set the flowerpot on a stable surface in a well-ventilated area. Protect the surface with a tarp, old sheet or several layers of newspaper.

4. Shake the spray can for two to three minutes and begin spraying, holding the can approximately 8 inches from the flowerpot. Spray one pot at a time, using steady, quick bursts. Continue spraying until the pot is coated with a thin, even coat of paint.

5. Wait 30 seconds and then apply a second coat of paint, if necessary. Allow the flowerpot to dry for a full one hour before use. Plastic spray paint dries to a hard finish within seven days of application.

Tips & Warnings

• Add a decorative touch to your flowerpots by masking off sections with painter’s tape. Spray the pot and remove the tape immediately afterward. After one hour, mask off a different section and spray paint the pot with a different color. Continue the process until your design is complete.

• Do not spray the flowerpots in an area without proper ventilation. Inhaling paint fumes can have serious health consequences.

References

• Krylon: Resin Chair
• Real Simple: Plastic

Resources

• Eastern Shore Parents: Painting Flower Pots (and Eating "Dirt")