How to Paint a Vintage Finish on Terracotta Pots

You don't have to wait years for your terracotta pots to develop a vintage, shabby chic look. All you need is some solid wood stain, fine sand paper and a half an hour! This technique is super easy and the results look great. Here is how.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Terracotta pots
• Pottery sealant spray
• 1- and 2-inch wide foam brushes
• Solid wood stain
• Fine sandpaper (150 grit)
• Water for thinning stain (optional)

1. Set up a work area in a well-ventilated space, ideally outside. Clean used pots and allow them to dry before painting. Spray the inside of the pot with pottery sealant. Let dry for 24 hours.
2. Using the foam brushes, paint one coat of opaque wood stain onto the pot. If you want more of the terracotta color to show through, thin the stain with water until it has the consistency of heavy cream. Paint a 3-inch band on the inside rim of the pot so it matches the outside.
3. Allow the stain to dry for 20 minutes. Then sand off the stain in a random pattern, being sure to sand around the rim of the pot. This works especially well on pots with raised designs.

Tips & Warnings

• Clean used pots before painting by scrubbing the outside of the pot with a stiff wire brush to remove salt buildup, moss and grime. Use a bottle brush and water to remove soil clinging to the inside of the pot. Then rinse the entire pot with water. Allow the pot to dry completely before painting.
• I don't plant edibles in stained pots because the pottery sealant smells so toxic. If you want to plant edibles in a stained container, purchase a plastic liner, plant your edibles in the liner, and then put the liner inside the pot.