The-Artistic-Garden's Blog

What Kind Of Paint Can I Use For A Tuscan Look
On My Grey Concrete Planter?

Gabby emailed me asking:

Hello, can you help me find the right type of paint for a large concrete planter? It is grey concrete and I want to achieve a tuscan look. Also where do I buy this paint?

Thank you sooooo much … Gabby

My reply:

Hi Gabby:
I will be happy to help and answer your questions.

#1) For information on what paints to use and info on what I think will be an easy way for you to get a tuscan look, please refer to my article: Decorative Sponge Painting.

Note: in this article I do not mention concrete planters (but I should – think I’ll add that to the page) but acrylic OR latex paints will be fine for your planter. Follow the directions in my article and you ought to have a nice long lasting decorative paint finish for many years.

Getting the “Tuscan look” you want will of course rest upon your artistic abilities. If need be … practice on a large piece of cardboard to get the color combination and appearance right. Sometimes my color choices aren’t always the greatest after I see them applied together. I have to do trial runs myself sometimes!

#2) In the USA, acrylic craft paints can be found at stores like Michael’s Crafts, Hobby Lobby, even the Wal-Mart in my area has a huge array in their craft section.

Or, regular latex paint can be purchased at stores like Sherwin Williams (though probably pricier than what you need to spend), Home Depot, even Wal-Mart sells latex paints, or most large hardware stores. You do not need to buy the most expensive paints.

#3) Make sure to apply at least 2 or 3 good coats of clear sealant, too. There are matte, semi-gloss and gloss finishes. For a Tuscan look I will say a matte finish is what you should use.

In addition, I suggest you take a few extra minutes to read all the pages I have in the decorative paint techniques section of my website. You’ll get lots more helpful how-tos that will not only help you have success with this decorative paint project, but any others you decide to to try.

Best of luck in dressing up your concrete planter! A Tuscan-type technique really isn’t a too-difficult decorative paint project for even a beginner to try.

A Concerned Crafter Asks What Paint Product Sealants
Are Recommended For Garden Pots

I received an email from Beth asking:

First of all I have to tell you I absolutely love your website. I just found it yesterday and am really enjoying all of your information.

Question … does sealing the inside of clay or terra cotta pots affect the plants at all? I have painted several of them for this summer and had left the inside untouched. Was a little hesitant and just wasn’t quite sure. Thanks! Beth

My reply:

Hi Beth:
Thank you so much for your kind compliments. I appreciate you taking the time to tell me.

Sealing the inside of pots causes no problems that I am aware of … I seal all my pots on the inside and my plants are thriving. I use Krylon acrylic clear spray paint, BTW. Always am happy with the long-term results.

However, I know a garden-art artist who swears by Thompson’s Water Sealant to seal the inside of her pots. She says it doesn’t harm her plants in the least.

But, to err on the safe side, I wouldn’t use Thompson’s Water Sealant if you’re going to grow something edible in it – not sure if the sealant would leach into the soil, and ultimately the plant.

On a side note: before she begins a decorative painted technique project, she told me she applies a good coat of SprayN’Seal. It’s a pottery sealer and she says the only place she can find the stuff is at Ace Hardware Stores. (It’s a product from Canada – made by Cartanna International Sales Inc.; phone number is 604-943-2727)

The only other thing I’d like to add here about using Thompson’s Water Sealant … maybe it’s great for terra cotta, but it sure STUNK when I used it years ago on my deck! What a waste of my money; it only lasted one year and did a p##-poor job of sealing my wood deck.

So … even when using on a terra cotta / clay pot … you be the judge as I’ve not personally tried it.

To see all the painted techniques and how-tos on my website that will teach you how to liven up any old plain plastic, resin or terra cotta or clay garden pot, please go to: Decorative Paint Techniques For Garden Planters & Pots.

Garden Art Or Junk Art …
Painted Bowling Balls Are Really
A Fun & Funky Look In the Garden

I recevied this email from Freddie who asked:

I found your website by accident and I love it. I love trying new garden art projects, especially junk garden art! I have tried to make garden spheres many times….some came out better than others….and this year I was lying in bed and it occurred to me to use bowling balls. Sheer Genius, right?

My boss brought me two from his last bowling night, one real beauty that I wouldn’t consider painting, but one I’ll paint. What do you suggest I use for paint?

Of course my husband thinks I’m nuts with bowling balls in our garden. Let me know about the paint. Thanks. Freddie

My reply:
Hi Freddie:
Thank you for contacting me and for the kind compliment about my site. I do try hard to offer great information.

About painting bowling balls (yeah, I kinda love junk garden art, too!) – here’s my suggestions:

•  take sandpaper and scuff up the surface really good; this will help a primer coat and/or paint to adhere much better

•  prime it with something like “Kilz” (there is an exterior all-purpose version–you can find it at Lowe’s or Home-Depot as examples)

•  paint with latex or oil-based paints (I’ve been successful using both)

•  finish with at LEAST a couple of liberal clear top coats (matte, gloss or semi-gloss – whatever you prefer)

If you take care with all the steps, your painted bowling ball should last many years in the sun. But be warned, UV rays really take a toll on everything, and even the best paint job might start showing “age” in a few years. I am sure you understand this.

That is why taking extra time to “do it right” the first time will save you peeling paint before the year is finished.

Does this help? If not, please do not hesitate to contact me again. Have fun!!

~~~

Freddie wrote back to say:

Actually your instructions were what I was thinking about doing anyway, it just seemed too logical and easy.

I’m a big recycler, so reusing bowling balls just seemed a no brainer. My boss actually brought me two of them from his league night at bowling. I’m sure he must think I’ve lost it, but I wanted to make a couple for my sister and her gardens.

Can’t wait to get this funky bowling ball garden art project rolling.

Thanks for the info … Freddie

What Is The Best Method To Seal Off The Interior
Of A Terra Cotta Pot?

I received an email from Leslie asking:

This is a fantastic website, extremely helpful. I have found the articles in the Decorative Paint Techniques category very informative. THANKS!

My question: I am using gauze fabric and modpodge and then painting over it with airbrush metallic paint on the outside of the terra cotta clay pot. Any ideas what to use to seal the inside of my pot, so that when dirt goes in and the pot is watered, it won’t effect the outside of the pot?

Thanks so much. Leslie

My reply:
Hi Leslie:
Thanks for the compliments, I really appreciate you taking the time to tell me.

About sealing the inside of a terra cotta pot, there are two ways you can approach this:

#1) Apply a number of coats of an acrylic or latex paint to seal off the inside. (Easier for brush clean-up than oil-base paint.) You can also use a clear spray, like Krylon acrylic. Or, try a polyurethane. Anything, basically, will “seal off” the interior.

#2) The “safest” route to really make double-sure that whatever you’ve applied and/or painted on the exterior of the pot won’t be affected is to use a plastic inner pot to plant in.

I’ve never had a problem with the exterior paint bubbling or flaking off of terra cotta pots, as I do always liberally spray about 3-coats of Krylon onto the interiors … but then again, I haven’t ever used fabric and modpodge on the outsides.

If I were you, I’d make sure to apply a generous base coat of paint on the outside of the pot, too. Unless that would keep your fabric and glue from sticking properly?? That base coat on the outside will also act as a moisture barrier.

If you do use a brush-on paint or spray paint for the interior of the terra cotta pot, I’d make sure to cover all the surfaces extremely well.

Does this help??

Sounds like a fun project. Good luck!

Leslie wrote back:

Dear Claudia: Thanks so much for getting back to me. Your information was wonderful and very helpful!!! I’ll definitely try that technique on the pots. I’m going to do some experiments first to see just how they do outside. I’ll do this before I decide to sell them, so my clients won’t have any problems. All the best, Leslie

My reply:
You’re welcome. Like I said, an inner plastic pot that actually holds the dirt and plant would be the very best bet to increase the longevity of your artistic applications!

And providing a plastic inner pot would let you off the hook “legally” if you are selling your pots … meaning you clearly state on a little label that your embellished terra cotta pots are NOT guaranteed to last forever if someone places dirt and a plant directly into them.

If it were me … I would cover myself in that way if selling them retail. You’ve warned them up front and provided the plastic inner pot … no unhappy customers on up the road!

Just my 2-cents. Claudia