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As winter fades to Spring, gardeners everywhere are looking at their poor, tired plastic pots. They slink by them with averted eyes, as the faded and weather-worn plastic sits unloved and unused in a corner of the basement, or garage. The dread of putting fresh and cheerful flowers in these eyesores can now be banished. There is a wonderful product on the market now that will give old pots new life.
As many gardeners do, I have a growing collection of less than beautiful plastic flowerpots. The sun and weather has beaten these containers to a point that each season, a few more of them get pushed to the back of the garage or greenhouse. They sit empty and unplanted, simply because they are no longer attractive enough to welcome visitors to my front door. Many of them have never been used, but are gifts from well-meaning friends who show up with a stack of pots left over from their attempts to become a gardener. Many still have the unfortunate victims of their efforts enshrined in moldy potting soil. As the stacks grow taller each season, my determination to do something about the situation finally has reached the critical point.
There is a product on the market now made by Krylon that gave me the inspiration to give these unsightly, unfortunates an extreme makeover. This spray paint actually bonds with plastic, and will not chip or peel.
Visions of lovely matching containers, sitting full of bright blossoms filled my head, so I went and purchased a couple of cans of this wonder paint and went to the greenhouse to select a suitable guinea pig. Here is how I transformed this unsightly container into the lovely plant receptacle in the image above.
Materials needed
At least one well-worn plastic plant container.
Krylon Fusion® spray paint. I chose two different colors of the Hammered Finish line.
Pot scrubber, steel wool, or similar type of cleaning pad.
Good cleanser.
Alcohol
Piece of sponge, old rag, or plastic wrap.
An old fork or large nail (optional)
The first mission is to clean the used container completely. Wash thoroughly with the cleanser and the scrubber. All bits of dirt, scale and soil must be removed. Wipe over the entire surface with the alcohol. If your pot is clean, and isn't encrusted with stuff, just do the wipe-over. The operative word here is Clean.
When your pot is completely clean and dry, choose a temperate, well-ventilated area to transform your container. The area should be between 40 and 85 degrees, taking into account that the cooler it is, the longer it will take for the project to dry.
Cover the immediate area with newspapers or plastic to prevent messes, and prepare to spray the flowerpot. By setting the pot up on a small block or stand, the entire surface can be painted in one session.
Shake the can for a couple of minutes to mix the contents. Spray in a sweeping motion, while holding the can between 8 and 12 inches from the surface. Use light coats to cover, and the finish will be much more even. Spray the bottom edge, and down inside the interior for a few inches. Make sure that the paint will end below the soil line.
I was wanting a custom look for this project, but for those who simply want to give the old pots a face-lift, you are done. For those who want to be a bit more adventurous, continue the saga.
After the first color has been applied, let the container dry for about 15 minutes. Depending on your individual temperatures, times will vary, but it shouldn't be sticky.
Spray some of the second color into a disposable dish. An old deli container, or something similar will be perfect. Dip the sponge, or similar material into the paint and start to dab it on your freshly painted container. Work quickly, and try to cover in an irregular pattern. Some may want to leave just a small amount of the original paint showing, others will prefer to just highlight the edges with the contrasting color.
When a satisfactory look is achieved, the custom finish can be developed even more. While the top layer is still wet, objects can be drug through the surface to create interesting textures. An old fork or nail head can be scraped across the wet paint to create the design shown. Press the object firmly enough to drag it through the top layer of paint, but leaving the lower layer. This creates the look of those expensive resin planters for a fraction of the cost. This technique works best on smooth surfaces. The pot that I was working on had a slight texture, and the results were not quite as dramatic as they would have been if the surface was slick.
The possibilities are endless, and this product can be used with success on other materials too. As with any painting project, your success will depend upon your preparation. Cleanliness of the surface is the most important, and some practice may be necessary to achieve some of the more elaborate looks.
A telephone call to the Krylon company resulted in the following advice: Your container's state over the seasons will depend upon the conditions where it is used, and its durability will be affected by sun or freezing temperatures. Proper storage during the winter months will greatly extend the lifespan of your painted containers. Chances are, the finish may fade over time, but the good thing is, a fresh coat of paint will perk everything right back up. The company had many good suggestions for using this product. Among then, patio furniture and faded plastic storage bins.
I like it, because for once in my life, all my flowerpots will match!
About Melody Rose
I come from a long line of Kentuckians who love the Good Earth. I love to learn about every living thing, and love to share what I've learned. Photography is one of my passions, and all of the images in my articles are my own.
Posted by Bookerc1 (from Mackinaw, IL) on July 07, 2008 at 01:53 AM:
I've been reading through a bunch of your articles tonight (started at cowpeas and just kept going!), and just had a thought. I loved the project with the denim & bleach, and the silk scarves with botanical prints. Couldn't I do something similar on plastic pots with two colors of paint? Like paint a base color, attach some leaves & flowers, and spray over with a second color? I've done batik before on fabrics, and seems like this would be a similar technique, but without the messy wax!
Oooh, wait, that would be great for a rain barrel, to kind of camoflage it so it doesn't stand out so much! Seems like there are too many ugly blue or stark white rain barrels out there.
I also have a bunch of huge black plastic pots that TwinLakesChef gave me at the Iowa RU, that I want to put my DH's 3 grapefruit trees into. This would be SO much more attractive!
OK, Krylon, here I come!!! LOL
Angie
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Posted by melody (from Benton, KY) on July 07, 2008 at 09:19 AM:
I love the idea of spraying over the leaves and using them like a mask. That opens the door for some great projects!
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Subject: Beautiful Work!
Posted by Gymgirl (from SE Houston (Hobby), TX) on March 22, 2008 at 12:54 AM:
Melody Rose,
I'd read your article a few days ago, and today I was in the "cleaning-out-the-old-pots mode. I pulled out a couple of those tall, 14-gallon black pots today for your project. I washed them down last night in my regular pot cleaning solution of Lemon Ajax, Bleach, and Mouthwash. I hadn't reviewed your instructions first, so I guess I'll need to rewash them and scub the surface with Cleanser and a brillo pad! aaaaarrrggggghhhhh!
But I do want this project to come out looking as great as yours did, so, no matter...
My question is more of designer consultation, than project detail. I'm not the greatest at decorating. In fact, I stay away from it at all costs. Consequently, I need some guidance as to what colors look good with what plants. Here're the plants I plan on putting in these pots. I would greatly appreciate if you, and the others who are planning to paint pots, too, would steer me along on the color chart. Thanks!
Bold green and white striped variegated ginger plant
Mother In Law Tongue (the ones with the yellow band on the outer edge)
Common Boston Ferns
Red Kolanche (spelling)?
Red Flash Caladiums
Green & White Caladiums
Red Canna
Yellow Canna
Australian Tree Fern
Japanese Fern
Autumn Fern
Easter Lillies
Purple Oxalis
Any suggestions for pot colors for the above would be MUCH appreciated. Really trying to impress the DH here....The backyard is my project....
Oh, I forgot my garden mainstain; My Cycad Revoluta SAGO Palms (We have over 60 in varying stages of growth, but my painted pots will be mostly for the "teenage Sagos" to give away as gifts. I have lots of pots for the puppies, and they don't need a fancy painted pot till they reach the teenage years! Like getting a new car....
Here's some of the Sagos. I have an entire "nursery" for them.
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Posted by melody (from Benton, KY) on March 22, 2008 at 09:27 AM:
Glad you liked the article!
The scrubber is to make sure you get all of the residue off the surface. Lots of times, there is still a film on the surface if it's been outside very long. The main thing to know, is that paint won't stick to dirt. It will for awhile, but then it will start flaking.
As to the colors you are asking about, some type of neutral will pull the whole project together and give continuity to the project. Bright colors tend to distract from the plants.
You could use a combination of green and gray. If you are going to do the sponged on look, do part with one color as the base and sponge the other one. Then, put the color you sponged in the first batch on the bottom and sponge the first base color you used. This would give the pots a cohesive look without them all being exactly the same. You could also just spray a few one of the colors without doing the layering.
By using just two colors, you could have 4 different looks, and everything will match. Colors maybe, green/gray, dark green/light green, light gray/dark gray, brown/gray
Just pick two fairly neutral shades that you like. I think that by doing this, you'll get an elegant pulled together effect.
hope this helps.
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Posted by Gymgirl (from SE Houston (Hobby), TX) on March 23, 2008 at 11:49 PM:
You're a diplomat in your other life, right?? THANKS, so much for the tip. I went to Wally World and bought some of the hammered silver, copper and the dark green Fusion. I saw a pot at a friend's yesterday, and saw how to recreate the horizontal "ribbon" effect using two different shades. paint the base layer then tape off the stripes and then spray the second color!. Pull off the tape, and Voila!
thanks, again.
P.S. You don't KNOW how much it took not to grab a spray can and start. But. I know enough to wait for an expert reply! Glad I did!
Linda
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Subject: How Classy!
Posted by winterrobin (from South Dennis, NJ) on March 18, 2008 at 02:52 PM:
Melody, what a fantastic project! I've had a can of Krylon "Hammered Copper" sitting in my storage room for a year now. I haven't used it because I dread anything "crafty". But you are an inspiration. Mixing two colors is a great idea, so that the finished product won't look flat and artificial. Now I have the courage to try this. Thanks!
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Subject: Thanks for the great project
Posted by catlady427 (from Tulelake, CA) on March 17, 2008 at 11:51 PM:
I've printed out the article for future use. I have lots of those plastic pots around. I'm going to share the idea with my garden club. We have a plant sale in early May and I think these would be a great item to sell along with the plants. Thank you for the great idea.
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Subject: Way cool!!
Posted by Sofonisba (from Putnam County, NY) on March 17, 2008 at 12:31 PM:
I never thought I'd grow to like the look of plastic pots, but you just changed my mind. I love it!!
Harper
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Subject: Just a question
Posted by drapelady (from Denham Springs, LA) on March 15, 2008 at 11:36 PM:
Great idea. I have been planning on redoing my outside pots and I thankyou so much for telling me about the Krylon. Does it in anyway absorb into the soil of the plants when we water them? Will Krylon work on plastic 2 liter bottles? I have a project in mind using 2 liter clear coke bottles, but I want them white.
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Posted by melody (from Benton, KY) on March 16, 2008 at 09:22 AM:
It shouldn't absorb into the soil, as this paint actually bonds with plastic. Just make sure that you get the Fusion line of Krylon.
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Posted by drapelady (from Denham Springs, LA) on March 16, 2008 at 09:42 AM:
Thankyou Melody and again thanks for the article.
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Posted by Gymgirl (from SE Houston (Hobby), TX) on March 29, 2008 at 03:54 PM:
Melody,
I'm spray painting pots today, and am wondering. Your pot in the original post looks so shiny. I'm using the same hammered paint today, but mine aren't looking that shiny. How many coats of each did you put on? Did you use a high gloss sealer or polyurethane of some sort? Thanks.
Linda
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Posted by melody (from Benton, KY) on March 29, 2008 at 04:03 PM:
No sealer or anything, just the Hammered Finish.
I just put a couple of coats of the first color, just enough to cover the pot good, then sponged the other color on till it looked satisfactory.
Sometimes the amount of humidity in the air will make spray paint look different from one painting to the next, but as you're in Houston, I would figure that we'd have way more than you...and colder too.
Mine didn't have a super shiny finish, but a nice gloss. Could be the differences in paint lots too.
Could be the way the light hit it for the photograph, but I didn't use a flash, just natural light.
Hope they turn out nice...let me know!
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Subject: Great idea!!
Posted by threegardeners (from North Augusta, ON) on March 15, 2008 at 05:42 PM:
I love it. Simple and inexpensive, right up my alley!!
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Subject: Simple and looks great!
Posted by chrisw99 (from Los Altos, CA) on March 15, 2008 at 02:08 PM:
This is such a clever idea, and simple enough for even the 'artistically challenged' like me. Thanks for the detailed explanation.
Chris
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Posted by McGlory (from Southeast, NE) on March 15, 2008 at 10:47 PM:
You are so talented and resourceful! Thank you for sharing all your neat tips and tricks, melody!
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Subject: Good job, Kiddo.
Posted by Elena (from Nashville, TN) on March 15, 2008 at 01:17 PM:
Good job, Kiddo. Now I know who can bring all my faded old pots back to life for me. I have been needing an excuse to head to up your way. (Just kidding!) Really, this is a great article and I am going to get my lazy self busy and try to create some super pots also. Thanks for all the great tips.
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Subject: That is lovely
Posted by doccat5 (from Fredericksburg, VA) on March 15, 2008 at 10:30 AM:
Aren't you the clever one! What a great idea!! Thanks for sharing. I'm hitting the paint section today!!!!
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Subject: What a great idea!
Posted by Sharran (from Calvert City, KY) on March 15, 2008 at 01:19 AM:
I was anxious to read this article, Mel, because I knew it would be something uniquely special, and I certainly was not disappointed. If it weren't just after midnight, I'd be on my way to Walmart right now.
Thank you, you are so creative!
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Posted by CapeCodGardener (from Mid-Cape, MA) on March 15, 2008 at 08:53 AM:
What a timely article! It's mid-March and I'm just beginning to look critically at my collection of not-so-gently-used plastic pots! I really appreciate the detailed directions
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Posted by fancyvan (from Calgary, AB) on March 15, 2008 at 10:30 AM:
Fusion is a wonderful product. I use it to spray paint old plastic garden furniture on which I then stencil. Have also painted/stencilled some water barrels
Never thought to use it on pots - another spring project!
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Posted by onewish1 (from Denville, NJ) on March 15, 2008 at 10:59 AM:
great ideas!... I would love to see some photos of your projects Fancyvan
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Posted by fancyvan (from Calgary, AB) on March 15, 2008 at 12:50 PM:
onewish I dont seem to be able to add pictures here but if you go to my blog and look at outside stencilling you will see some pics.
I dont have a pic of the rain barrel I did for a friend but am working on a new one for myself.
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Posted by onewish1 (from Denville, NJ) on March 15, 2008 at 12:53 PM:
great work!... love the shed!
Allison
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Posted by Indynannyof8 (from Brownstown, IN) on March 15, 2008 at 01:17 PM:
fancyvan
How do I get to your blog?
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Posted by onewish1 (from Denville, NJ) on March 15, 2008 at 01:39 PM:
Posted by elsie (from Lafayette, NJ) on March 15, 2008 at 01:51 PM:
Melody, this is a great idea. I really like the techniques you used.
Next trip to Walmart I'm getting some paint. A good spray paint hint is to put the pot in a large box to contain the overspray.
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Posted by KyWoods (from Melbourne, KY) on March 15, 2008 at 02:15 PM:
I never knew you could use spray paint for a sponge-on job. You are very creative, indeed! Looks great!
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Posted by Dea (from Frederick, MD) on March 15, 2008 at 05:39 PM:
We have a ton of pots that need "fixing up" - thanks for the how to tutorial - our container plants thank you Mel :)
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Posted by dmac085 (from Greensboro, NC) on March 15, 2008 at 07:06 PM:
I'd been looking at that Fusion spraypaint but hadn't thought about my old flower pots! Great technique too! Thanks:)
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Posted by laughingblue (from Naturita, CO) on March 17, 2008 at 09:05 AM:
I'm going to spread this idea all over northwest MI. Thanks!
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Posted by Dollykat (from Lucasville, OH) on March 17, 2008 at 09:48 AM:
I used this spray paint on some plastic pots last year. I used the dark green, but I am hoping a sage green will be added to the Fusion line because plants look good in sage green pots. I love this hammered metal look, so I think I'll try it this year. Thanks for giving me the impetus to try the metal-looking paint.
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Posted by pandora125 (from Symsonia, KY) on March 17, 2008 at 05:28 PM:
putting this project on my "to do" list-thanks Melody
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Posted by melody (from Benton, KY) on March 17, 2008 at 05:51 PM:
I'm thrilled that everyone liked this project.
got another in the works....stay tuned!
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Posted by dmac085 (from Greensboro, NC) on March 26, 2008 at 12:36 AM:
OK the paint I chose was Patriotic Blue and the metallic Black Hammered (may go get the copper looking one too). I'm going to try this paint trick that I saw applied on a wall.
You underpaint with the brighter color and let it dry. The top coat is the darker color and while it is still wet, you take a dry straw whisk broom and drag it down the wet paint leaving exposed streaks and stripes of the brighter undercoat.
I have a few of those heavy glazed pots done in the cobalt color and hope that the painted plastic pots will complement them.
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Posted by Indynannyof8 (from Brownstown, IN) on March 26, 2008 at 10:05 AM:
I was thin king blue pots also.. At least for some beds. I read there is supposed to be a continuity in our pots but right now I have a hodge podge. Is this available at Wally world?
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Posted by melody (from Benton, KY) on March 26, 2008 at 10:13 AM:
Yes, Wal-Mart carries it, as does Lowes and Home Depot. Probably others too, but I've personally seen it in all of those places.
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Posted by dmac085 (from Greensboro, NC) on March 26, 2008 at 05:49 PM:
Yes, I work at wm and picked mine up after work. There may be more color selections at a HD or Lowes but my store had a pretty decent selection including some nice hammered metallic ones.
At least one well-worn plastic plant container.
Cover the immediate area with newspapers or plastic to prevent messes, and prepare to spray the flowerpot. By setting the pot up on a small block or stand, the entire surface can be painted in one session.
I was wanting a custom look for this project, but for those who simply want to give the old pots a face-lift, you are done. For those who want to be a bit more adventurous, continue the saga.
