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Decorating terra cotta flower pots

ThriftyboyThriftyboy Posts: 7
in The potting shed
Has anyone had to seal terra cotta flower pots before painting? I have looked on internet with plenty of help from USA etc but so far nothing in UK. Details of any proven product would be most helpful.need to get them painted before spring bulbs go in.
Robin Wallhouse

Posts

  • steveTusteveTu Posts: 3,219
    Does PVA work?


    I've never tried it personally. Looks like it may be worthwhile giving an old pot a go and see what happens.

    UK - South Coast Retirement Campus (East)
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    PVA does work, but you need to use it after painting. It's better for just sealing though. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • pitter-patterpitter-patter Posts: 2,429
    I’ve used outdoor varnish after painting the pot with acrylic. Seems to work quite well.


  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    Just a coat of plain water based clear acrylic varnish will seal it so you can decorate it and not have all the paint or glue (depending on what you're doing) absorbed.   Then do your thing and add 2 further coats of acrylic varnish to seal.   

    It dries quickly but best to leave 24 hours between coats and no more than 3 coats total or it goes milky.  I have used it indoors and out for sealing terracotta pots.   Stops all the damage freeze/thaw can do to unprotected terracotta and a lot cheaper than buying the ones fired at seriously high temps and supposedly frostproof.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
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