You were rummaging around your house and found something interesting: a ceramic piece you haven’t used in a while. You decide to take it out and use it but only after you’ve made it pretty again, and the best way to do this is to paint or repaint it. The easiest way to do this is by spraying, but then, can you even spray paint ceramic?
You can spray-paint ceramic, but you’ll need to use a primer. The best paint types for ceramic are acrylic, latex, and epoxy. Acrylic spray paint is often used for small ceramic pieces, while latex and epoxy spray paint coat tiles and other more prominent ceramic pieces.
This article will feature topics such as the types of paint usable for ceramic, how to spray paint ceramic, and things to keep in mind when painting ceramic pieces.
Ceramic-Specific Paints
You’ve decided to revamp your ceramic piece, and you’ve learned you can actually spray-paint them. But then, which paint types are compatible with ceramic?
Acrylic, latex, and epoxy paint can be used for painting ceramic. If your ceramic piece is small to medium in size, it’s best to go for acrylic paint. However, if your piece is big, choose latex or epoxy paint. This is because latex and epoxy have higher adhesive properties than acrylic.
More importantly, remember that it’s crucial for you to use a primer when spraying paint to ceramic. Besides smoothing out an object’s surface, a primer also assists the color itself to stick to the surface in the best way it can.
Rust-Oleum Painter’s Touch from Amazon is an excellent primer. It features low odor, chip resistance, and a drying time of just 20 minutes.
But then, if you’re looking for a two-in-one primer and paint combo, check out Krylon Spray Paint and Primer from Amazon. Krylon primer comes in flat, gloss, metallic, satin, matte, semi-gloss, and semi-flat variations.
Meanwhile, if you can’t choose between spray paints, try Rust-Oleum Chalked Spray Paint and Krylon Acrylic Spray Paint. The chalked spray paint is perfect if you’re looking for a matte and classic vibe, while the Krylon spray paint offers a crystal-like finish.
How to Spray Paint Ceramic
Getting the process of spray painting ceramic right is essential if you want a successful painting session. So, pay close attention to the instructions on how to spray-paint ceramic, especially the part where the ceramic is cleaned.
To spray-paint ceramic, you first need to clean your piece, prepare your workspace, prepare yourself, and prepare your spray paint. Then, you can start painting. After that, it’ll be a matter of giving your painted piece ample time to dry before handling it.
Clean the Ceramic
If your ceramic is smooth and unglazed, all you have to focus on when preparing it to be spray-painted is to wash and wipe it. Small ceramic pieces like jars, vases, and pitchers can be run through your dishwasher. However, you can also wash and scrub them with water and detergent instead.
Carefully feel around your ceramic piece to ensure its surface doesn’t have any leftover grime, stickiness, or uneven spots. If any of those things get past you, you’ll have a ragged and slightly ruined finished product.
If your ceramic is glazed, you’ll need to use sandpaper to scratch its surface. You can do this before washing your ceramic piece. When rubbing the piece with sandpaper, aim to remove the sheen but not to make deep scratches. Your goal is to flatten the glaze in preparation for the primer application.
Once you’re done with using sandpaper on your ceramic piece, wash it with water and soap as necessary. Then, dry your piece with a towel and allow it to air dry as you prepare your painting space.
Prepare Your Workspace
To prepare your painting space, start by picking a wide, well-ventilated area as your workspace. Then, look for old newspapers or some cardboard and place them in that area. That is where you will put your ceramic piece while you paint.
Prepare Yourself and Your Paint
Preparing yourself to spray paint ceramic means donning on a mask and gloves. Once you’ve done that, you can proceed to ready your paint.
To prepare your paint:
- Vigorously shake it for a minute or two.
- Then, spray it on a flat surface to check the nozzle for any issues and ensure your next spray is smoother.
Spray Paint the Ceramic
To spray paint ceramic:
- Start by spraying the primer on it. Use an adequate amount to coat your piece and then let it dry.
- Once your primer is done, grab your spray paint and aim at your ceramic piece from about an 8-inch distance.
- Then, lightly coat it with the paint by moving in a sweeping motion.
- Take a break for 5 minutes before spraying another coat.
- Repeat that process until you’re satisfied with how coated the ceramic piece is.
If you’d like to see a visual image of the steps above, check out Duck in Yellow’s short YouTube clip about spray painting a ceramic pot here:
Things to Keep in Mind
- Choose the appropriate spray paint finish by considering your ceramic piece’s appearance. For example, if you have a ceramic vase with raised patterns, choosing a glossy finish will highlight that pattern and may turn your piece into a visually unappealing one. However, selecting a semi-gloss finish will result in a better-looking ceramic piece.
- You can reuse and repaint your ceramic pieces over and over again. Once you get bored of your old designs, pop by your local hardware store and get some paint.
- Spray painting in environments that are too hot or too humid will affect your paint’s drying time. An environment that’s too hot causes the paint to dry too quickly and results in a flaky product. Meanwhile, an environment with too much humidity slows down drying time.
Related: Can You Spray Paint Glass?
Final Thoughts
You can and should spray paint ceramic. That way, you can repurpose it and reuse it as much as you want. Likewise, it’s a fun activity that’ll give you not only some joy but also raise your home’s vibrancy.
However, remember to use a primer before spraying paint on your ceramic, or pick a primer and ceramic spray paint instead. Similarly, put extra effort into the part where you prepare your ceramic for painting. This will make or break your painting result.
