INSIDE: How to make brand new plastic terra cotta flower pots look aged and weathered with paint, water and a sanding block.
We commandeered my father-in-law’s very old and very rusty metal wheelbarrow that he had brought over for a landscaping project last summer. The moment I saw this rusted thing emerge from his trunk, I knew I wanted it. Not for moving rocks or dirt but as part of my landscape decor!
Once he realized his old-time wheelbarrow had found itself a new home (and we ordered him a heavy duty plastic yard cart to sweeten the deal), I worked on filling it full of varied pots and plants. A shiny new flower pot would not fit the look I was after and I don’t have the patience to wait for “real” clay terra cotta pot to age.
So instead I found an easy way to age plastic terra cotta flower pots instead…
How to Make New Plastic Pots Look Old with Paint
While I love the look of real terra cotta, especially as it wears and ages, it is not the most practical in my ‘hood. See, I live in the southwest – Arizona – home of the University of Arizona wildcats, soaring saguaro cactus, gorgeous sunsets…and wild “pigs” known as javalina.
These interesting-looking mammals come out at dusk and travel in herds, riffling through garbage cans, eating newly planted vegetation and knocking over a wheelbarrow of potted plants. Technically, this hasn’t happened yet but I know it will. I’ve probably just jinxed my wheelbarrow luck!
So when this nighttime mishap happens, I’ll need only replace a few plants and not pots (thus: plastic). It’s taken me 11 years but I’m finally figuring out how the desert works!
Make New Plastic Pots Look Old with Paint
To mimic the look of aged terra cotta, you will need:
– plastic flower pots
– self etching primer
– patio craft paint in white + paint brush
– outdoor craft paint – blue (optional)
– sanding block
– disposal bowl
– paper towel or old rag
How to Use Paint to Weather Plastic Flower Pots
‘Faking It’ Step #1
Paint does not adhere (permanently) to plastic or coated surfaces.
Give the plastic flower pots a spray with the self etching primer. I did mine sparingly and not a full coat.
‘Putting On An Act’ Step #2
Pour the white paint into a disposal bowl and add some water. Enough to water it down.
Cover your work area. Apply the watered down paint to a section of the flower pot and immediately wipe with the paper towel.
Repeat this process until the pot is covered and you like how it looks.
‘It’s All a Show’ Step #3
I then repeated the above process with some watered down blue patio paint, just to add a touch of color.
How to age plastic terra cotta flower pots
‘Make Believe’ Step #4
Once dry, I used a sanding block to rough it up and give it more of an aged look.
And there is your fast and easy way to take an inexpensive plastic flower pot and make it look more like aged terra cotta…but one that can withstand some curious javalina!
What garden tricks have you discovered?
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The flower pots look so great and like real aged ones! Great way of getting the look right away and the wheelbarrow is awesome! Thank you so much for sharing at Sweet Inspiration #3! Have a lovely weekend!
I like the technique you used to age new pots! They make a great addition to your yard with that old rusty wheelbarrow! Thank you for sharing with us at Snickerdoodle Sunday! Pinned and tweeted to share.
Laurie
MyHusbandHasTooManyHobbies@gmail.com
Hi Laurie! I never would have known that you could give plastic pots such a great look. Very clever 🙂 Thanks so much for sharing your project at Vintage Charm!
I love this project! I have a bunch of plastic pots that could definitely use a new look. Thanks so much for linking up with us for Maker’s Mix-Up this week! Hope to see you again this week!
Thanks for sharing on Peace Love Link-up! We hope to see you at our next party. It goes live tomorrow at 6 so grab a button and drop off anything else you might be working on! : )
Great idea
just wow
Such a great idea. Thank you so much for sharing.
So cool. Will share
Thanks Sue for the share!
Victoria,
Painting plastic pots to look aged is brilliant.
Happy Creating,
Karen Marie
Great tutorial Victoria – they look legit! Now I’m off to google “javalina” because tiny destructive pigs sound adorable. xx
OMG they’re FURRY! Cute furry pigs! We get rats in our backyard … it’s not quite the same.
Quick question. I have plastic pots that are textured (rings), would you still use a self etching primer or do you think spray Kilz primer would work? Love the new look of your painted pots!
Hi Audra! Whenever I’m painting anything plastic, I always use self-etching primer before I paint with “real” paint. You could experiment with the spray kilz and see what happens. The point is to get the “real” paint to stick to something.
I have several pots I plan on doing this with! You will be featured in tomorrow’s To Grandma’s House we go link party – thanks for sharing with us!
Thanks Tarah! I’ll stop by the party.
Loving that antique wheel barrow! I have a rusty old radio flyer wagon that’s hanging out n my garage and I am hoping to get it back out in my garden soon! Thanks for the tutorial on aging pots. The plastic ones are what’s in my budget right now. lol
Thanks Christine! I absolutely love my rusted out wheelbarrow.
A fun DIY! We like it so much, you’re a feature tomorrow at Welcome Home Wednesdays! Congrats! See you again tomorrow.
Fun project! Your flowers look great in their new pots 🙂 Thanks for sharing with us at Creatively Crafty #ccbg 🙂
Such a great idea! These are so pretty! I love plastic pots because the ceramic ones are so heavy!
I love the look of your pots! And, the process looks easy enough that I am going to attempt this DIY project , with my husband’s assistance!
I love the new paints that go on EVERYTHING – it makes creativity so much easier! They look good…
I hope we see you at the current Reader Tip Tuesday Party: http://www.jodiefitz.com/2017/08/22/reader-tip-tuesday-party-crafts-recipes/
It’s open all week & growing.
I love this look! I painted flowers on some terra cotta pots a few years ago, but lost them during our last move :(. This looks like a great project to do once I get more! Thank you for sharing!
I have lots of hand-painted flower pots. Lots of work but well worth the effort!
These look great, so much nicer than the bright plastic. I’ve never heard of Javalina, but we do get urban foxes here in the UK that like to make a mess in the garden if they get chance.
Looks beautiful and easy to make. Thank you for sharing at Dishing it and Digging it link party. You are one of the features this coming Sunday party. Thank you for sharing.
Your aged plastic terra cotta flower pots are adorable and perfect to feature in my 7 Ideas to Beautify Your Outdoor Spaces next week at the Merry Monday Link Party on Sunday 6 pm pst. Hope to see you then!
Thank you Jenny! I’ll stop by this Sunday.
I wanted to let you know I am featuring this great project at #merrymonday this week. I hope you will check it out when you have a chance! Hope you will link up with us again! https://ourcraftymom.com/10-beautiful-diy-planter-ideas-to-add-instant-curb-appeal/
Thank you Michelle! I appreciate the feature.
Your pots do indeed look old and not at all like plastic. Great job!
These turned out great. I did not know you could make them look so wonderful.
Have a great day,
Kippi #kippiathome
These look fantastic! I can’t believe they are plastic. I never would have guessed. I may have to do this for my own yard this year. Thanks for sharing at Sweet Inspiration!
The pots are looking so beautiful. A very good and easy to make idea. Thank you for inspiration. Have a nice day, Simona
Thank you Simona!
These turned out great! This is a great idea, and I didn’t know they could even be painted! Thank you for sharing at Celebrate It!
This is a great project for spring, especially since I have balconies but no backyard…
Thank you for sharing at The Really Crafty Link Party. Pinned-.
I’ve been searching for vintage pots for my front porch to place on each side of the door. Many are so expensive…this will work beautifully with plastic. You gave me a good idea with how to venture out of my comfort zone to try things. LOVE the wheelbarrow, OMG, such a good find and what a kind father-in-law to give it to you! (not to mention you buying him a new one..he’s got to love that.) I love this idea…pinned it. Thank you!
Thank you Lynn!
I love how these turned out! I need to try this with some of mine!
This is the best tutorial I have seen for doing plastic pots—love the idea—and I can’t wait to give mine a freshening—even to make them look old. ]]