What kind of paint should I use for garden statues?
I have two small stone fu dog statues I put outside about a month ago. I bought those because I really liked the dark brown color. I meant to put on some wet look sealant but didn’t get around to it.
In just a month the paint has come off in most places because of rain or sun. The statues are mostly tan now. What kind of paint would I get to get them back to their original color. Any tips at all would be helpful.
One Response
ANGEL
24 Jan 2010
Here’s some tips from people who have answered that question on other sites… that you may find helpful:
From Tamra Serroni, Grants Pass, Oregon, who has been painting cement statues for more than 25 years:
"use a cement/masonry primer first–once its dry—-you can start painting….
If the paint is flaking from another paint job–you should remove the flakes
I use DecoArt Patio Paints , check at a craft store. (they have a clear coat, which you put on first, then the paint and then the coat again) if you are doing a small statue, this is a great way to go.
I also use acrylics & I will mix them with the patio paints–to get other colors;
I use some masonry paints (but you have to buy in bigger containers) but you can also mix acrylic paints with them & get other colors (Walmart has an exterior paint that is great & you can get great colors); mccloskeys is also a masonry paint base–check your Walmart–this is where I first discovered it for a great price.
I have used Rustoleum once and 18 years later, its never needed painting again–but its in shade and somewhat protected.
I used to use spar varnish–a marine boat varnish–on anything not white–it yellows, but in the past year I have had problems with it flaking.
We now use Cure Coat–which we found at a home improvement center–but also discovered at one of the local paint stores. cure coat is a masonry/cement/brick sealer. cure coat cleans up with warm soapy water.
I also use a cement sealer, that cleans up with lacquer thinner [link is to product info at Amazon] –both seem to work fine.."
From Rebecca Williams, Hartville, OH "I worked for a shop owner in Hartville painting cement statues for people. I cannot remember the name of the primer, but I used a masonry primer. I first cleaned the cement well, let it fully dry and then applied the primer. I did not like working with oil based paints, and used acrylics … however, I believe oil based paints would serve you better. When I was finished, I sprayed the entire piece with Marine Spar Varnish."
http://www.finishing.com/165/15.shtml
From Gillian Dowell:
"artist acrylic paints may do the trick, there is a better colour selection and as long as you seal it with a weather proof sealant they should be ok.thats what I would use."
http://uktv.co.uk/gardens/thread/threadid/1194
http://www.rendona.co.uk/categories.php?id=13
Good luck!!! Hope this is helpful.