Update old plant pots with textured paint

Do you have a tired old plant pot on your deck that’s looking worse for wear? Or, perhaps you’re looking to upgrade to a colour and texture that fits better with your current aesthetic. Consider giving pots a makeover with Resene Sandtex Mediterranean effect, a gritty, textured paint that can be tinted to a wide range of Resene colours.

This specialty paints from Resene not only add depth and dimension to your outdoor pots but can also help disguise surface imperfections like chips, cracks or fading. The end result? A stylish, modern planter that looks great beside your outdoor furniture and adds character to your deck. Whether your pot is ceramic, terracotta, concrete or plastic, this easy project is a great way to inject personality into your outdoor space.

Your secret weapon with pots is applying a coat of Resene Aquapel & Terracotta Sealer to the inside. This gives a long-term water beading effect to prevent water penetrating the pot and causing damage.

This is a simple, budget-friendly project that can be done in a day.

Drop cloth or old newspaper
Hose, soap and sponge
Resene Moss & Mould Killer (optional)
Medium-grit sandpaper
Resene Aquapel & Terracotta Sealer
PAL Legend Oval brush
Paint pots
Resene Sandtex Mediterranean effect (we used Resene Green Spring)

1

Wash and sand

Start with a structurally sound pot that has no major cracks or deep chips. Resene Sandtex Mediterranean effect works on most materials, including terracotta, ceramic, concrete and even sturdy plastic. Lay down a drop cloth to protect your work area.

Wash the pot thoroughly with warm soapy water, then rinse with the hose. Remove any dirt, moss or residue with Resene Moss & Mould Killer. Rinse and let dry completely.

Lightly sand the pot using medium-grit sandpaper, gently scuffing the surface to help the paint stick better – especially if it’s glazed ceramic or slick plastic. Don’t worry about getting it perfectly smooth as the textured paint will hide any imperfections.

2

Protect the inside

Use a paintbrush to apply one coat of Resene Aquapel & Terracotta Sealer to the inside of your pot, then leave to dry.

3

Paint

Stir the Resene Sandtex Mediterranean effect well until the consistency is smooth. If the paint has separated in the can, give it a good shake to distribute the gritty particles evenly. Pour some paint into a paint pot.

Using a paintbrush, apply a generous first coat. Work from top to bottom, turning the pot as needed and don’t worry if it looks uneven at first. Allow the first coat to dry fully, according to the instructions.

Apply a second coat to build up the texture and coverage – this is where you’ll really start to see the transformation. Add a third coat for more dramatic grit or depth.

4

Time to plant

Once fully dry, add potting mix and add an outdoor plant such as a sugar bamboo palm. Place your refreshed pot outside to give your space an instant lift.

Wall and trims painted in Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen in Resene Triple Sea Fog, deck stained in Resene Woodsman Wood Oil Stain in Resene Iroko and couch in Resene Timber and Furniture Gel Whitewash.

Other projects using Resene Sandtex

Fireplace

This fireplace’s dated tiles have been transformed and refreshed with Resene Sandtex Mediterranean effect, which gives an authentic, textured finish and brings out the depth of the Resene Cabbage Pont – a muted, shadowy green that works beautifully in both character and contemporary homes.

Console table

This stylish console table is made using terracotta pots, a piece of wood and Resene Sandtex Mediterranean effect tinted to Resene Truffle. Resene Sandtex has brought out the depth of the Resene Truffle and turned this into a true statement piece. It provides a tough textured acrylic finish that beautifies and protects and also has the ability to recreate the look and feel of natural sandstone.

Tiles painted in Resene Sandtex Mediterranean effect and Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen in Resene Cabbage Pont, walls and hearth in Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen in Resene Cabbage Pont, mantelpiece finished in Resene Colorwood Whitewash and Resene Aquaclear, vases painted in Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen in Resene Quarter Parchment, Resene Biscotti and Resene Alabaster and picture frame in Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen in Resene Half Black White.

Console table painted in Resene Sandtex in Resene Truffle, wall in a subtle effects finish using Resene Alabaster, Resene Sea Fog and Resene Double Sea Fog and panelling in Resene Eighth Canterbury Clay.