How To Do A Paint Wash TechniqueTo Elevate Your Home Decor
How to do a paint wash to elevate your home decor starts with understanding what a paint wash actually is and why this simple technique creates such beautiful, aged depth on any surface. In this project, I’ll walk you through how to do a paint wash step-by-step, including how to make a paint wash using watered-down paint that settles into all the right places. With just a few easy layers, you can transform ordinary pieces into high-end, textured decor that looks effortlessly timeless.
If you’ve been wanting to update a plain pot or thrifted item into something truly stunning, this project is a wonderful way to do it. Today, I’m sharing how to use IOD air dry clay, a detailed silicone mold, Crust paste, and—most importantly—a gorgeous paint wash to give an ordinary planter a concrete-inspired, antique look.
So you may be wondering what is a paint wash? In simple terms, it’s a watered-down paint mixture that is used to settle into textures and crevices, instantly aging and highlighting details without covering everything solidly. It’s easy. It’s beautiful. And once you try it, you’ll want to use it on everything!
Let’s get started. This is one of my favorite techniques!
How To Do A Paint Wash To Upcycle A Planter
- A planter or other decor item.
- IOD Air Dry Clay
- Large silicone mold (I used the IOD Leonidas mould) – this is optional if your piece already has a lot of detail
- Cornstarch (to dust the mold)
- Titebond Quick & Thick Glue
- Crust paste
- Grey or Tan paint (I used Prairie Grey DIY Paint)
- White chalk paint
- Distilled water
- Small bowl & stir stick for mixing your paint wash
- Paint brush
- Rag or cloth (damp)
- Chip brush
- Rolling tool or brayer
- palette knife to spread crust paste
How To Do A Paint Wash Video Tutorial
How To Do A Paint Wash Step By Step
Step 1: Add Details (Clay Casting) To Surface Prior To Paint Wash
Adding a mold casting to your piece is totally optional, especially if your piece already has a lot of detail or ornateness. Remember, a paint wash works best if there are places to catch the diluted paint. My planter had no details, so I created some with air dry clay, a silicone mold, and a Crust paste. Let’s start with the clay casting.
See how the planter is just smooth and flat? So let’s fix that!
Begin by dusting your silicone mold with cornstarch to help release the clay later. Use about half a pack of IOD air dry clay—this mold is large—and knead it to soften the clay. Press it firmly into the mold with your fingers, making sure it reaches every detail.
Rolling the clay helps smooth it out. Start in the center and roll outward so the clay stays flat and doesn’t lift. Smooth the back as much as possible, because this is the part that will glue onto your pot and you want a snug fit.
Step 2: Remove the Clay Casting From The Mould
To de-mold your casting, turn the mould over, bend it slightly to allow the clay to fall out. You don’t want to pull the clay out. Once out, flip the casting over and admire the detail—this lion mold is absolutely gorgeous!
Tip: If you’re using a mold with intricate details, pop the mold into the freezer for about twenty minutes. The clay will harden which makes it much easier to release. It will not freeze. Once out, flip the casting over and admire the detail—this lion mold is absolutely gorgeous!
For more tips on getting the best results with air dry clay, grab my free guide with all my tips and tricks.
Step 3: Attach the Clay Casting
Gently turn your clay piece over and apply Titebond Quick & Thick Glue. Spread it evenly, without using too much, all the way to the edges. Then lay the casting onto your pot and gently press it down. You have some time to get it into place but try not to pull on the clay.
Note: Once you get the casting is where you want it, allow it to lay flat to dry. If it’s standing up, the casting could slide out of place.
Step 4: Add Crust Paste for Texture
You could leave your planter with just the mould casting and paint it. It looks better already, right? But let’s take to an even higher level. Let’s create an aged, concrete-like surface. Using a palette knife or putty knife, apply a texture paste randomly around the pot. I love to use Crust paste for this. There’s no pattern—just let it be organic. I often bring the crust right up to the clay mold and even onto it slightly so the whole piece feels unified and natural.
Don’t forget the top rim! This adds so much authenticity to the final look.
Allow everything to dry completely.
Step 5: Paint Entire Planter
Once the Crust has dried, you’ll now paint your entire piece with a white paint. Let dry.
Step 6: How to Make a Paint Wash
This is where the magic happens. If you’ve ever wondered how to make a paint wash, it’s super simple: A paint wash is just watered-down paint—thin enough to flow easily into textured areas but still tinted enough to antique the surface.
The best paints for this technique are highly pigmented paints. I like to use DIY paints by Debi’s Design Diary; specifically, Prairie Grey. This color is a wonderful neutral color most like that of concrete.
To create your paint wash, add your paint to a bowl and thin it with distilled water. There’s not an exact ratio of paint to water for this but the mixture should just look fairly runny. The DIY paint that I used is thicker and more pigmented than most paints, so I tend to use more water than I would with other paints. Don’t overthink it, there’s not an exact formula.
Step 7: How to Do a Paint Wash
Once you have the consistency like you want, brush the paint wash all over your pot, or work in sections if that’s easier. Don’t worry about how it looks at first—this technique is very forgiving. The goal is to get the paint wash into all the cracks, crevices, and textured areas from the crust and clay casting.
Save any leftover wash because you may want to deepen the effect later.
Next, take a damp rag and begin wiping the paint wash back. This is the key to understanding how to do a paint wash properly: you remove the paint from the raised areas while allowing the wash to stay in the recessed parts. This creates instant depth and makes your details stand out beautifully.
You’ll start to see the pot transform right before your eyes.
Step 8: Dry Brush for the Final Highlight
For the final step, dip a chip brush lightly into white paint and blot most of it off on a paper towel. Gently brush over the raised areas of the mold and the textured crust. The dry brushing catches just the tops of the details and adds dimension that layers beautifully with the paint wash.
Once you sweep that white across the lion’s face and the crusty texture, everything comes to life.
And that’s it—your pot has now been transformed into a unique piece of décor with a stunning, concrete-inspired finish.
Final Thoughts
Learning how to make a paint wash and understanding what a paint wash does for your pieces opens up so many creative possibilities. This technique is incredibly simple but creates a high-end, aged look that elevates even the most basic planter or thrift store find.
You can do this technique on a variety of surfaces, even plastic! And remember, if you don’t have many details, silicone moulds with air dry clay are the perfect solution. Check out these two blog posts using the same technique, with different moulds, on Dollar Tree plastic pots:
Painting On Plastic Flower Pots
Painting Plastic Pots with Style
And remember, if you don’t have many details necessary for a paint wash, silicone moulds with air dry clay are the perfect solution. Whether you use a lion mold like I did or choose florals, scrolls, or other designs, the combination of clay, crust paste, and a paint wash will completely change the feel of your décor. And almost anything can be dressed up with mould castings. Think lamps, book covers, candle holders, and so much more!
Browse all the different IOD moulds available for your next project!
If you try this project, I’d love to see your results! Tag me or send me a photo—I always enjoy seeing your beautiful creations.
If you enjoyed this project, amaze yourself with my Top 5 Upscale DIY tutorials you can do in a weekend:
