I have made many outdoor things, my gnomes come to mind. I paint them with acrylic paint and spray them with an acrylic clear sealer that lasts for several years! BUT I also take them in for the winter to keep them from the thaw/freeze factor. Ceramic painted objects will NOT last too many years exposed to the winter elements. I found that out the hard way. After several years they may have to be repainted or just touched up. Because of the sealer I usually wash them with warm soapy water, wipe them down with plain alcohol (to remove some of the spray on sealer) and repaint! I don't use varnish or Thompsons waterseal. I am afraid I would not be able to get it off with alcohol if I wanted to repaint. What do you think? Rosie

Darn. Opened a can, poured the content in the sprayer, but it was way too sticky, barely dripping from the sprayer. So I have added the same quantity of water. Then I have made a mistake and added yet another measure of water making it 25% paint, 75% water. Half of it trickled along the (vertical) fence tin sheet and made a mess around. So for anyone else trying to do it himself... be cautious. Oh, and, using a pressurized sprayer seems not a very good idea as it will sprawl the paint. I did paint unintentionally, making the mess even worse :-S

You're concerned about toxicity, I assume? The paint shouldn't be an issue because you'll be sealing both surfaces before you apply any paint. The inside, especially, will need to be made water impermeable. Leave the bottom untreated, though, would be my advice.

Read the can. It depends on the drying conditions. Sometimes it can be dry to the touch in 10 minutes but it's usually best to wait at least an hour to recoat and longer before it is able to be cleaned. Full cure can take up to a month.