Ceramic articles with bleed-through barrier and methods of manufacture thereof

Methods for limiting bleed-through of aqueous catalyst solutions in ceramic articles are described herein. The methods include applying a hydrophobic cellulose derivative, such as ethylcellulose, to an exterior surface of a fired porous ceramic article. The aqueous catalyst solution is applied to the fired porous ceramic article, such that the hydrophobic cellulose derivative limits bleed-through of the aqueous catalyst solution through at least a portion of the ceramic article. Ceramic articles with skins that limit bleed-through of aqueous catalyst solutions are also described herein.