How to paint pinecones so they don't close up?

[Strawberrybelli]

I'm trying to make some xmas decorations. I chose some nice pinecones & dried them out so they were fully open. Next I wanted to whitewash them so I dipped them in a solution of slightly diluted masonry paint & hung them up to dry. But the dampness of the paint has made them all close up nearly. Is there a trick to doing this that I don't know?

Spray paint is your friend here, you get a good coating without absolutely soaking them

Another vote for spray paint!

Pick them whilst still green, then spray them with a wood sealant.

I was told that soaking them in a 50/50 mix of warm water and white vinegar, then air drying them works - but I have never tried it.

Ahh sod it. Thanks for the advice. I'm currently drying these ones in the oven to see if I can coax these to open.

Now it's raining, any spares I find will be soaked.

I didn't expect to get an answer, so thanks very much xx