Make an Outdoor Fiberglass Flower Pot
Intro: Make an Outdoor Fiberglass Flower Pot
The wife wanted some nice larger pots to put on the balcony and front door but those large decorative outdoor flower pots can cost upwards of $200 depending on size and I wasn't about to pay that much just for one. ( In reality my wife wouldn't let me even if i wanted to)
You can build your own in any shape an size for relatively cheap and with few materials.
What you need:
Fiberglass
Resin/hardener
1" x 2" wood (to make frame) scour sites like Craig's list to get free scraps
cardboard or 1/8 plywood (depending on which route you take. will explain later)
textured spray paint
First step is to come up with the shape of the pot you want to make and its dimensions.
You can build your own in any shape an size for relatively cheap and with few materials.
What you need:
Fiberglass
Resin/hardener
1" x 2" wood (to make frame) scour sites like Craig's list to get free scraps
cardboard or 1/8 plywood (depending on which route you take. will explain later)
textured spray paint
First step is to come up with the shape of the pot you want to make and its dimensions.
STEP 1:
Start to build a frame out of the 1" x 2" wood. I was able to get scrap wood and nails of craigs list for free . It doesn't have to be super strong or perfect because once you cover the sides in 1/8 plywood or cardboard and then lay fiberglass over that it will lock it all in place.
If you are putting in real plants with dirt i suggest using the plywood route but if you're just putting in fake plants as we did in some of ours you can get away with cardboard.
To make it able to withstand the elements just make sure you cover both sides of the cardboard with the resin to seal it.
Once you have the frame together, cover it in either cardboard or plywood.
In these photos i'm using cardboard, i used a staple gun to secure it to the wood frame
We have had one made out of cardboard outside for over 2 years an it still looks brand new. Holds up to the elements just fine.
If you are putting in real plants with dirt i suggest using the plywood route but if you're just putting in fake plants as we did in some of ours you can get away with cardboard.
To make it able to withstand the elements just make sure you cover both sides of the cardboard with the resin to seal it.
Once you have the frame together, cover it in either cardboard or plywood.
In these photos i'm using cardboard, i used a staple gun to secure it to the wood frame
We have had one made out of cardboard outside for over 2 years an it still looks brand new. Holds up to the elements just fine.
STEP 2:
Once you have it all put together, the messy part starts....fiberglass.
You can find fiberglass and the hardener at stores like home depot but if you are able to find a specialty store it will probably be cheaper to buy it in bulk so you have enough to make a few planters
Work outside and with gloves and a respirator. Make sure you read the directions on mixing the resin. Too much hardener and you wont have enough working time before everything starts to harden, too little hardener and it could take days to solidify.
Do yourself a favor and lay cardboard down over your working area, things will get messy. And also wear long sleeve shirts. Nothing sucks more than getting the resin on your arm.
My method is to first mix up some resin and to completely cover the pot in just resin then lay fiberglass sheets that are about 3" x 8" and brush more resin on. Too big of sheets and they will be hard to handle, especially once you start getting the resin on your gloves.... the fiberglass mat will want to stick to everything.
Once you have covered the planter in a layer I like to let it sit and harden before i start on the next layer. The amount of layers you put will depend on the size of the planter and whats going in it.
Our 18" x 18" x 2' high planter framed entirely out of cardboard i only used 2 layers of glass and i also brushed resin on the inside of the cardboard as well. Its solid. It does only have fake flowers in it but i'm certain it would contain a full load of dirt.
Once you have a few layers down i would suggest letting it harden over night and checking to see how strong it is. if you want it stronger just add another layer of fiberglass.
The finish does not need to be smooth or perfect by any means. Once you cover with the textured spray paint , those little discontinuities will make it look all the better.
If your looking to have a glass smooth exterior that will be harder to accomplish and i don't feel like covering that at the moment... sorry!
You can find fiberglass and the hardener at stores like home depot but if you are able to find a specialty store it will probably be cheaper to buy it in bulk so you have enough to make a few planters
Work outside and with gloves and a respirator. Make sure you read the directions on mixing the resin. Too much hardener and you wont have enough working time before everything starts to harden, too little hardener and it could take days to solidify.
Do yourself a favor and lay cardboard down over your working area, things will get messy. And also wear long sleeve shirts. Nothing sucks more than getting the resin on your arm.
My method is to first mix up some resin and to completely cover the pot in just resin then lay fiberglass sheets that are about 3" x 8" and brush more resin on. Too big of sheets and they will be hard to handle, especially once you start getting the resin on your gloves.... the fiberglass mat will want to stick to everything.
Once you have covered the planter in a layer I like to let it sit and harden before i start on the next layer. The amount of layers you put will depend on the size of the planter and whats going in it.
Our 18" x 18" x 2' high planter framed entirely out of cardboard i only used 2 layers of glass and i also brushed resin on the inside of the cardboard as well. Its solid. It does only have fake flowers in it but i'm certain it would contain a full load of dirt.
Once you have a few layers down i would suggest letting it harden over night and checking to see how strong it is. if you want it stronger just add another layer of fiberglass.
The finish does not need to be smooth or perfect by any means. Once you cover with the textured spray paint , those little discontinuities will make it look all the better.
If your looking to have a glass smooth exterior that will be harder to accomplish and i don't feel like covering that at the moment... sorry!
STEP 3:
When you are laying the matting make sure you wrap it all the way around the top edge the create a nice profile.
Use a drill to make a drainage hole in the bottom. If you are using fake plants i suggest to use some construction adhesive to glue a brick or two onto the bottom the keep it weighted down a bit more.
Once the pot is fully dry check over the whole thing. when fiber-glassing sometimes there are little bits of hardened mat sticking out. These are sharp!! and will cut you, Make sure you sand them down with some sandpaper.
To prep for painting i like to give the whole thing a quick sand anyways just to create a better surface to bond to.
Use a drill to make a drainage hole in the bottom. If you are using fake plants i suggest to use some construction adhesive to glue a brick or two onto the bottom the keep it weighted down a bit more.
Once the pot is fully dry check over the whole thing. when fiber-glassing sometimes there are little bits of hardened mat sticking out. These are sharp!! and will cut you, Make sure you sand them down with some sandpaper.
To prep for painting i like to give the whole thing a quick sand anyways just to create a better surface to bond to.
STEP 4:
I personally use the paint pictured above and particularly the black one with a white speckle. It give a great textured finish and looks awesome.
Give the planter 2-3 light coats and let it sit over night.
Fill it with dirt, fill it with plants and enjoy.
The pot on the front page is actually made entirely out of cardboard and fiberglass, no wood framing.
I tried to get a picture to show the texture but it didn't turn out the greatest.
Give the planter 2-3 light coats and let it sit over night.
Fill it with dirt, fill it with plants and enjoy.
The pot on the front page is actually made entirely out of cardboard and fiberglass, no wood framing.
I tried to get a picture to show the texture but it didn't turn out the greatest.
20 Comments
Psobczak72 3 years ago
Psobczak72 3 years ago
Natashabtp 3 years ago
Kelvin 122 4 years ago
stephensaj 7 years ago
I've been thinking of doing something similar with Durock and a smooth thinset finish for a raw-concrete look.
GaryB15 8 years ago
This looks like a great idea. Do you think I could use this method to make a fountain pool? I want to make something that resembles the 5x10 foot square stone pools in italy and then fill it with water and place a small statue in it. I know you don't 'know' for certain.. but do you think like 10 layers would do the trick?
craig.shipman.12 9 years ago
Hey - looks great. How did you get the finish like that. My resin is opaque so it would come out a murky/white or dirty glass look. Did you use a tint ? Or paint it afterwards ?
5pints 10 years ago
jepho 10 years ago
Better to buy more and have extra then be short. you can use the extra on other projects or to add an extra layer of support.
omerbeni 10 years ago
Nice Job!
Did you leave the wood frame inside or you took it out? is it possible to take it out after its been hardened? would the structure hold?
Thanks
jepho 10 years ago
It will support its own weight without the frame but you would have to cover the frame in something like plastic, tin foil and/or masking tape in order to remove it afterwards . (the resin will bond to the wood if you don't and removal will be next toimpossible without damage)
A Guinness Drinker 10 years ago
jepho 10 years ago
bagatir 10 years ago
bagatir 10 years ago
btw great job
jepho 10 years ago
Maxmil 10 years ago
nyx702 10 years ago
Ashke 10 years ago
soonerjohn 10 years ago