Prepare your Clay Pot

If you have a brand new clay pot, it is probably already clean and ready to paint.

An older pot can be cleaned up and turned into a work of art.

• Cover the pot completely in water and soak overnight up to 24 hours.
• Scrub and scrape away any deposits. You can use a wire brush and knife if necessary.
• Rinse and allow to dry thoroughly for at least 24 hours.

Seal the inside
Some people like to coat the inside of the pot with a sealant to keep the moisture from seeping through and causing the paint to bubble and chip. If you use DecoArt Patio Paint, no sealant is needed but you may want to paint the inside of the pot.

Sealants you can use include:

• Patio Paint Clear Gloss Sealant
• water-based polyurethane
• craft acrylic sealant
• waterbased lacquer
• pot sealant

Note: If your clay pot will be used for an edible plant, it is recommended that you use non-toxic sealants. Patio Paints are non-toxic and can be purchased in the craft section of stores or online.

Paint Your Clay Pot

Paint the background color of your clay pot using Patio Paint or acrylic paint. This may take several coats. Let each coat dry completely before adding another.

Add the Dolphin(s)

We have included a printable template of a dolphin that you can trace or cut out for a stencil.

Of course you may want to do one of your own.

Remember, it will probably take several coats of paint for each item you paint.

Seal Your Clay Pot

When you are finished and happy with the results, put at least 2 coats of sealant (see above) on the outside and inside if you haven't already. This will protect your painting and give it a nice finished look.

Enjoy!