We Can't Get Enough Of This DIY Terracotta Paint Hack
If you had asked me two years ago where I got my DIY project inspiration, I would have said Pinterest, Youtube, or Instagram users I follow. However, fast forward to 2022, and some of the most creative and skilled producers are reaching new audiences on TikTok, which has quickly become my favorite source for inspiration (and okay, a time-waster, too).
The app has a lot of new and imaginative ideas, which is probably due to the hyper-personalized homepage algorithm. My feed is full with home decor ideas, cleaning techniques, and organizational advice. This is also how I discovered the Bissell Little Green Upholstery Cleaner, which is a remarkable little tool.
One of my favorite TikTok discoveries to date? A clever little approach for turning mismatched glass, plastic, and ceramic items into tactile "terracotta" pieces that look like they came straight from your favorite home store's window display. Geneva Vanderzeil popularized the technology, which has a wide range of applications. This paint mixture has been used to convert odds and ends, repurpose thrifted objects, make textured wall art, and much more. The benefit of textured paint is that it hides all kinds of flaws, adheres to glass and plastic like glue, and has a matte finish that appears costly.
What could be better? The method is straightforward, and the payout is substantial.
What You'll Need:
- (Approximately) 220 grit sandpaper
- Acrylic paint (I used this terracotta color, this off-white, and a mix of the two)
- Baking soda or baking powder
- Cups to mix in
- Paint brushes
- Assorted ceramic, plastic, metal, or glass objects
What You'll Do:
- You'll want to rough up the surface with sandpaper if you're working with plastic or anything that already has a finish to ensure the paint sticks. This isn't a precise process; simply try to make the thing look scratched up.
- Make the color (or colors) you want using your paint. I chose three colors: a classic burnt orange, an off white, and a combination of the two.
- Stir in baking soda or powder (they have similar effects) to your paint—I chose a 1:1 ratio, but the consistency is entirely up to you—until the mixture is well integrated and slightly frothy (science!).
- Apply an initial layer to each of your pieces and let them dry completely. Because the wet paint and baking soda combination pulls off very readily if it's still wet, this drying stage is much more critical than usual. When it's entirely dried, it should be matte and lighter in color than when you started.
- Apply a second coat, then a third if necessary. Because the mixture was thick and high-coverage, the parts I worked on only required two coats.
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