How to make a bonsai pot less shiny

[Charlo]

I bought a fairly expensive pot online and when it came i was a bit disappointed because it had more shine than I wanted. I wanted it to be matte. I read there is a special type of towel being used for this purpose. Does anyone know what I do to help this pot be more beautiful in my eyes?

 

[It's Kev]

make sure the description is clear next time you buy. some flowering trees look good in a shiny/glossy pot. bets you could do is see what species tree looks best in it, especially if you said it was fairly expensive, don't go ruin it with MacGyver tricks

 

[Gabler]

I've never heard of anyone doing that, and you're likely to ruin your pot if you try to mess with the surface of the glaze.

 

[Charlo]

I had read that Horst Heinzlreiter uses a special type of cloth for this purpose but it is kind of his trade secret. I was hoping someone might know the secret!

 

[Charlo]

I bought a fairly expensive pot online and when it came i was a bit disappointed because it had more shine than I wanted. I wanted it to be matte. I read there is a special type of towel being used for this purpose. Does anyone know what I do to help this pot be more beautiful in my eyes?

Yes, this has been a hard learned lesson. I will just have to put a maple or azalea in it, but before I do I will still hope there is a something I can do. It is not super shiny, but a few steps from being matte.

 

[mwar15]

Sandpaper is my guess.

 

[vp999]

Maybe she shine will go away after a while from being outside.

 

[Charlo]

Maybe she shine will go away after a while from being outside.

Hah! I will get it out in the sun. Lots of sunny days here at high elevation!

 

[Charlo]

Sandpaper is my guess.

I was kinda hoping to hear something like this, and especially from someone that does ceramics! Thanks

 

[Wulfskaar]

Maybe something like steel wool would be better than sandpaper?

 

[Emanon]

Maybe something like steel wool would be better than sandpaper?

I'd maybe even start with an abrasive pad -- the most fine white ones first. I have no experience with ceramics. I find with wood though, that I have more control with the pads than with steel wool (less scratching or uneven dulling). Maybe apply a coarse polishing compound with the pad?

 

[rockm]

Um, you bought a fairly expensive pot and you're looking for ways to damage it? Taking sandpaper to it is going to scratch it obviously. Those scratches will hold moisture, if the pot is exposed to freezing weather, there's a chance, if you scratch it deeply enough that the glaze will flake off as water expands when it freezes.

If you're set on damaging a fairly expensive pot (time, weather and use will take the shine down but it will take time), there are etching pastes that can be applied. Although they're for glass, They sometimes work on some ceramic glazes. Results may not be dramatic, though. Results will be dramatic --uneven and mostly unsightly -- with sandpaper though.

Live with the pot. leave it outside. Put a tree in it and fertilize water, expose it to sun and you will get better results.

 

[Gabler]

Maybe something like steel wool would be better than sandpaper?

Glass is harder than steel, so it wouldn't have any effect.

 

[Gabler]

Sandpaper is my guess.

Sandpaper will scratch it, not turn it matte.

 

[gooeytek]

Got a pic?

 

[BrightsideB]

I saw this as I was glazing and took some 220 grit to this glossy glaze on the top. It worked well. If you look along the top how the light stopped reflecting. That’s the only part I sanded. Post a photo of the pot.I would think that not every glaze will react the same. I’d also think it would need to be buffed after with something.

 

[BrightsideB]

I never tried it. To me if I had to go around sanding pots I’d have to at least double the price (which isn’t a deal breaker) but I could definitely see the reason for someone who bought one to modify it. To each their own.

 

[pmalelis]

400 hundred and up auto grits will make it matte with no obvious scratches unless under a microscope. I've done it on glass but not ceramic but should be same as pictured above

 

[BrightsideB]

I tried 400 and it seemed to work but wow that would take hours. But I agree would be nicer without visible scratches. I can see faint scratches with the 220.

 

[pmalelis]

Btw a 400 sponge rather than paper will be easier with contours . GL